Terminator II

From Robo Culture Wiki

James Cameron's film, Terminator II: Judgment Day begins with an introduction to the year 2029 where the human species is on the brink of extinction. With three billion humans already wiped out from the nuclear fire, those who managed to survive are left in constant battle with machines. This introduction stands as a glimpse into the future where machines have gained the ability to learn and think for themselves through the advent of Dyson's [a computer scientist] technological breakthrough, the neural net processor. In order to defeat the human resistance the machines cleverly send a Terminator (AT-1000) [Robert Patrick] back in time to eliminate the leader of the human resistance, John Connor [Edward Furlong] before he even becomes aware of his destiny. Perhaps even more clever Connor reprograms a Terminator also sending him back to the same time to protect his much younger self. This brief discussion of Terminator II will focus on the concept of fear of technology, where machines may gain dominance and the human species become obsolete. Also, considerable attention will be granted to the Cyberdyne System Model 101 [CSM 101] Terminator played by Arnold Schwarzenegger and 'his ability to learn the value of human life.

Technology is often referred to as an agent that is in some way assisting in human evolution, allowing humans to choose the sex of their babies, cure them of illness and avoid monotiness and dangerous tasks. However, what is not often a point of discussion is what occurs when both human and machine evolve together. Do humans cease to exists because they have become machines? Or does civilization see the emergence of a hybrid in the Cyborg? Or do humans see the end of their existence altogether as machines rank at the top of the evolutionary cycle? Cameron takes advantage of the fear embedded in these questions providing a window into a future where the human species are at war with Skynet, a thinking computer that controls all machines, including the AT-1000 Terminator. Both the AT-1000 and the CSM 101 are machines sent back in time, but in the form of the human body. while both are made of metal they enter the 1995 not with metal exposed but rather with the naked male body exposed. The audience is initiated to these characters not as machines but as Cyborgs, giving them a human quality. Firstly, the film introduces Schwarzenegger's character, the CSM 101, already positioning Cyborgs as inferior to human beings. Schwarzenegger not only gives the metal endoskeleton the stereotypical perfect living tissue mold, he demonstrates amazing strength not capable of any human as well as the ability to heal himself and live for one hundred and twenty years. Unlike humans as a machine the CSM 101 feels absolutely no pain or emotion, no cigarette burn, nor bullet wound, nor amputation will get the smallest of facial expressions from the Terminator. Even more advanced is the AT-1000, able to morph into shapes and individuals as well as mimic voices. While initially one is given the impression of the superiority of the Terminator's in Terminator II it is important to note that with all strengths and little weaknesses the CSM 101 is still controlled completely by John Connor, a boy nearing his teenage years. Although the CSM 101 eventually is granted the ability to learn and think solely for itself, it achieves so not by independent means but through the allowance and assistance of John Connor. It is at this point in the film where one can begins to see Schwarzenegger's Terminator take on a more human role.

Throughout the film Schwarzennger is situated between the machine and the human. While he is all machine he cannot become human but through the teachings of Connor he become less 'machine'. After resetting the chip in his head the CSM 101 is capable of learning. Connor is able to teach the CSM 101 to smile and speak in laymen's terms with the infamous lines "I'll be back" and "Hasta la vista, baby." Although the CSM 101 does not understand why it cannot kill just anyone, Connor is able to teach him not to kill, however, when Schwarzenegger proceeds to injuring many his character is pulled back towards the identity of machine. This push and pull from human to machine can be examined at other stages of the film as well. Upon discussing the resetting of Schwarzenegger's chip to allow his character independent thought John Conner pleads with his mother not to destroy the chip and the CSM 101 because 'he' is his friend. Schwarzenegger's character is being referred to as an individual giving him a male human identity. At other instances the CSM 101 can be cited as referring to itself not in the third person but as 'I'. Just as one comes to identify CSM101 as he, or having a particular known identity the CSM 101 is situated back within the realm of the machine as John Connor's mother, Sara, replies to John's pleas to save his friend: "Not him John, it."

Because Scharzenegger's character cannot understand feelings or emotions one cannot easily visualize the CSM 101 as an individual of human identity, however, Cameron places Schwarzenegger's character in one of the most humanizing male roles in life, the role of the father. Reflecting upon her failed attempts to provide John with a father figure Sara realized that she could do no better than the CSM 101, "Watching John with the machine it was suddenly so clear. The Terminator would never stop. It would never leave him, never hit him... never shout at him or get drunk and hit him... or say it was too busy to spend time with him. It would always be there and it would die to protect him. Of all the would-be fathers who came and went over the years... this thing, this machine... was the only one who measured up." Perhaps this suggests fatherhood or parenting as yet another area where human beings may/have become obsolete. Regardless this places a machine within a human relationship, one often considered most vital, the father son relationship.

When Connor first shows emotion he begins to cry over the confrontation with his mother, Schwarzenegger's character initially questions the tears, "whats wrong with your eyes," not knowing the meaning of tears or the act of crying. In the conclusion of the film one gains the understanding that the CSM 101 Terminator played by Schwarzenegger has successfully learned what it is to be human by learning what it means to feel, although as a machine CSM 101 realizes that 'he' will never be capable of feeling leaving John with the last words "I know now why you cry but it is something I can never do."

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also see Governator

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