Michael_Pilkington

Arnold Schwarzenegger is back. This time he's a heroic Terminator re-programmed to stop the T-1000 (Robert Patrick), a more advanced cyborg (made entirely of shape-shifting liquid metal) sent to kill a teen (Edward Furlong, film debut), future leader of the human resistance. In a battle between good Terminator and bad Terminator, who will win? And can judgment day be prevented?

James Cameron is back as director and co-writer. He overloads this film with enough action, car chases, explosions and eye-popping (but expensive and Oscar-winning) special effects to satisfy any sci-fi or action fan. There's no reason to call this film boring.

Once again, Schwarzenegger is at his best as the friendly robot. Instead of killing, he maims or scares anyone who gets in his way. At one point, he shoots a guard in the leg and says "He'll live." Patrick is menacing as the T-1000 not fazed by bullets and can morph into anything or anyone he comes in contact with.

Linda Hamilton also returns as Sarah Connor. She's the teen's mom and former victim of the Terminator (from the first film). She's very convincing as a tough, caring mother, and not wimpy as she was from the first film.

Though overlong, "Terminator 2" is a fun, action-packed thrill ride.

My evaluation: *** out of ****

Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as a 21st century cyborg sent to L.A. to assassinate an innocent woman (Linda Hamilton), unknowingly destined to give birth to a revolutionary. A soldier from the future (Michael Biehn) is also sent in and is assigned to protect the woman and destroy the unstoppable killing machine. Who will prevail? Man or machine?

In spite of tight budget, co-writer/director James Cameron's ("Titanic") film is loaded with non-stop action, quick pacing, above-average effects. Schwarzenegger is convincing as the merciless cyborg and his memorable line ("I'll be back") still remains a classic. One of the most effective sci-fi action films in cinematic history.

My evaluation: ***½ out of ****

Adam Sandler's animated tale has a thirty-three-year-old troublemaker (voiced by Sandler) wreaking havoc during the eight days of Hanukah. After getting in trouble with the law, he is given two choices: go to jail or perform community service, working as assistant referee for youth basketball league with the team's eccentric coach (also voiced by Sandler). He chooses the latter (whether he likes it or not) and goes out of his way to humiliate the coach at every chance he gets. Can the coach make this slacker change his ways?

Sandler caters to his fans with his crude, gross-out humor and excrement jokes. Some funny, and some plain stupid. Some of the songs are hilarious, including Sandler's revised Hanukah song. For those expecting a family-oriented holiday film can look elsewhere.

My evaluation: ** out of ****