[Hardy Boy]

Watching this again and I was just wondering, when people first saw this film in the 90s, did everyone think that Robert Patric was the Terminator sent back to protect John Connor? I know Ahnuld was was the villian in the original, so did people think he was going to kill John before it was revealed that it was the other way around?

[Errol Flynn]

No, from all the advertising and promotions it was clear who was who.

[Z0d]

The trailer totally gave it away, which is a shame, because the whole first act is brilliant if you aren't privy to who is who.

[Russian Army Knife]

Originally Posted by Errol Flynn

No, from all the advertising and promotions it was clear who was who.

Originally Posted by Z0d

The trailer totally gave it away, which is a shame, because the whole first act is brilliant if you aren't privy to who is who.

Yeah, Cameron and Bill Wisher jokingly say on the commentary that they put so much effort into building up all this tension and uncertainty, only to have the ad campaign undermine it all. They don't really blame the ad campaign, but say it's more of a miscalculation on their part because that secret was never going to be sustainable.

It's easy to forget. I showed T2 a few years ago to a girl who knew almost nothing about the movie and it was refreshing to see her soak up the plot as it went.

[Eraser]

It was the highest grossing film of 1991, so I'm sure the producers liked the ad campaign. Not to mention all the toys attached to the film, it was a success on so many levels. Action figures, video games, Guns & Roses video, ahh the good old days.

[Rot And Roll]

it's funny, i wondered that myself last time i saw the film
yeah i think that people who see the t1 and t2 now, would be more surprised by that twist.

[The Imp Speaks]

Originally Posted by Errol Flynn

No, from all the advertising and promotions it was clear who was who.

This. And Arnold was in his hey day when it was released so we all went to see him anyway.

[Hangover_Boy]

i don't remember what it was like when the movie first came out (I saw it in the theater, but I don't remember how secret that twist was, if at all).

But like, 10 years ago I watched this movie in college with a friend. It was the first time she had seen it, and obviously it's like 10 years later from when it came out so she didn't recall any ad campaigns or anything. She totally didn't see the twist coming..she was like, "wait...Arnold is the GOOD guy in this one??"

it was great.

[HilaryBanks]

My real question about the movie is when Arnold lost his arm again in that machine did he again set things in motion for Skynet? Cuz he was totally missing an arm again at the end wasn't he?

[Mr Expendable 2]

Originally Posted by HilaryBanks

My real question about the movie is when Arnold lost his arm again in that machine did he again set things in motion for Skynet? Cuz he was totally missing an arm again at the end wasn't he?

Its debatable whether his arm was completely crushed by the machine or ripped off.

However that would've made for a good reason in T3 as to why the time line never changes.

[Jack Package]

You can tell that was their intention but I remember when I saw it in theaters I knew who was who. It was quite the theater experience though let me tell you.

[Hangover_Boy]

Originally Posted by HilaryBanks

My real question about the movie is when Arnold lost his arm again in that machine did he again set things in motion for Skynet? Cuz he was totally missing an arm again at the end wasn't he?

yeah, he lost a hand...though the really big revelation from the first movie is that they recovered the chip. The hand was just an implication as to what the chip did.

A hand by itself may not indicate that much, other than some nifty robotics.

I wonder why they didn't keep the head from the first one...just the hand.

[Crom]

I remember seeing the first poster for it and that was it. Somehow I missed seeing the trailer as I went into it the theater not knowing. I had just seen Terminator for the first time a year before. Really great experience.

[Penarin]

Originally Posted by Eraser

It was the highest grossing film of 1991, so I'm sure the producers liked the ad campaign. Not to mention all the toys attached to the film, it was a success on so many levels. Action figures, video games, Guns & Roses video, ahh the good old days.

Yep.


And maybe it's just my memory being off, but back then didn't the #1 movies tend to stay at #1 for weeks, if not months? Like with Jurassic Park and Titanic?

[FiveStile]

The ad campaign did totally "spoil" the movie that regard. It's pretty obvious that they wanted the audience to feel as if familiar things are being set in motion. Hulking biker Terminator that is the same model as the villain of the first movie vs. a smaller more compact one that's "dressed" like a cop.

That said, it really doesn't matter. The movie is awesome. However, I remember being in 5th grade debating with my buddies as to what happened with the T-800's lost arm in the gears and what that meant for the ending.

[Vipper]

Originally Posted by Hangover_Boy

I wonder why they didn't keep the head from the first one...just the hand.

The head was crushed, the arm wasn't.

[QuotedForTruth]

Originally Posted by Z0d

The trailer totally gave it away, which is a shame, because the whole first act is brilliant if you aren't privy to who is who.

.

[Hangover_Boy]

Originally Posted by Vipper

The head was crushed, the arm wasn't.

well yeah, but even a crushed head would seem a better find than a robot hand. It's not like it was crushed into dust.


None of it worked, anyhow.

[Bane]

The twist still works though because it's still a twist for Sarah Connor when she discovers Arnold is good. You see it from her point of view almost like you are discovering it for yourself, too.

[Russian Army Knife]

Originally Posted by Bane

The twist still works though because it's still a twist for Sarah Connor when she discovers Arnold is good. You see it from her point of view almost like you are discovering it for yourself, too.

Yeah, spot on. In fact, that character evolution is much more compelling than a "gotcha!" twist aimed only at surprising the audience.

[Thief12]

Yeah, like most people have said, the trailers gave it all away. I was 15 I guess, and we all knew who was who. It's a shame cause, like most people have said, all that first act is brilliantly constructed to deceive you. From the mess that Arnold makes at the bikers bar vs. the cop that the T-1000 "knocks" down, to Arnold's tough approach vs. the T-1000 endearing one "He's a good looking boy. Do you mind if I keep this picture?" But still, it was an excellent experience.

[Thief12]

Originally Posted by HilaryBanks

My real question about the movie is when Arnold lost his arm again in that machine did he again set things in motion for Skynet? Cuz he was totally missing an arm again at the end wasn't he?

I'm sure that those gears pretty much crushed the whole arm much like the whole body of the previous Terminator was. Besides, that crushed arm would've ended God-knows-where in that huge factory.

[Rock]

Come with me if you want to live...at home this summer!

[Atomic Cow]

Somehow I knew already.

[Sun Aint Even Out]

Originally Posted by Bane

The twist still works though because it's still a twist for Sarah Connor when she discovers Arnold is good. You see it from her point of view almost like you are discovering it for yourself, too.

THIS!

In other news I have to admit this embarrassing fact: In the movie it is said that Skynet would become self-aware and initiate a nuclear war on August 29, 1997. I don't know how old I was when I believed it, or for how long, but dammit I believed it. I wouldn't live to be 14 years old because terminators were gonna kill everybody on the day before my birthday!

[dreiser]

Originally Posted by Jack Package

It was quite the theater experience though let me tell you.

Indeed.

[ZBigRedDogZ]

I didn't see the ads, but my dad saw it first and told me.

I still remember seeing it for the first time. Christmas Eve, we were waiting to go to Grandma's that evening. Dad put it on. I've never had a more awesome experience with movies in my life. Only a couple others came close.

[Rock]

Originally Posted by ZBigRedDogZ

People Will Talk (Mankiewicz, '51) (2nd) - This charming film is interesting to me because it manages to be sincere without turning a blind eye to human imperfection. Grant's character's friends and patients are far from being saints, particularly if you read between the lines. But it somehow manages to see through it all and come away with heart and laughter. Sort of the opposite of the TV show House. - 7.5

I started watching this a while back on Netflix but never finished it. I probably should do so.

[HilaryBanks]

It is easily one of my fav movie viewing experiences and the villain terrified me!

[ZBigRedDogZ]

Originally Posted by Rock

I started watching this a while back on Netflix but never finished it. I probably should do so.

Its not great but I enjoyed it. Saw t years ago and liked it enough to give it another go round. I noticed a couple things I didn't like the second time, but its still very enjoyable.