Blog Post #3 - Terminator 2 Scene Analysis

                Terminator 2’s final scene is packed with some very emotional moments.  The scene begins with 2 shots both being close ups of John and his mother Sarah as they watch the T-800 terminator that has protected them this entire time ready himself to his own death.  The editing and shots focus on the John and the terminators relationship by having John always portrayed at a lower angle than the T-800, while the T-800 always has an over the shoulder shot. These shots show how John despite how much he cares is powerless to stop what is about to happen to the T-800 as he must destroy himself.  The viewer is also subjected to lower angle medium shots and one High Long shot to show the setting off and what how the terminator plans to destroy himself by lowering himself into the fire.  After the method of destruction is shown close ups of John’s and the T-800’s face are shown before the camera switches to another over the shoulder shot of the T-800 with John ordering the T-800 not to go.  This further beats in the fact that John can no longer do anything as the T-800 must get rid of himself to save John. This is followed by a close up shot of the Terminator’s face in which he states, “I know now why you cry” The following shot immediately goes back to the over the shoulder shot but this time the terminator is comforting John. The cut from a closeup of the terminator to John’s crying face with the terminator consoling him helps the viewer understand that the terminator has gained something like a human conciseness.  The shots following this scene are of the terminator saying his final goodbyes with close ups to symbolize the trust and lost that the Connors have put into him.  This is followed by descending shots from high angles so that the viewer can watch the terminator go down from the Connors’ perspective, while the low angles would be the terminator’s perspective.  The scene ends on the terminator’s POV with his screen being edited to fade out like a computer turning off, signifying his final death. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmmbBo8RYoE