Violence and Terminator

While Terminator 2 does make some attempts at philosophical justification for the actions of its characters, most of these are superseded and watered by the Hollywood requirement for glitzy, "rock-em sock-em" action.

John Connor's "coaching" of Schwarzenegger's character supposedly is representing the good side of humanity and that we are not just a self-destructive species. However, in the world of John Connor violence against and perhaps the maiming of a person seem to be mere vices compared to the sin of actually killing somebody. Even obviously, unnecessary violence is hardly even blinked at. Take, when John and the Terminator are breaking into Pescadero in order to free Sarah. The Terminator shoots the gate watchmen in the legs when he could have just as easily knocked him out or otherwise restrained him. The argument of Utilitarian violence isn't even applicable in this situation.

Perhaps it is just "modern sensibilities" that seem to be uncomfortable with the violence. However, I do not think it is just me. In the new Terminator television series, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, there is almost no death or killing, and when there is it is completely obvious how it really was not preventable. The characters, even the hot-headed Sarah Connor, seem much less inclined to do harm unto people than there movie predecessors. That is the show's main criticism of the current re-programed terminator under there command. She is too quick on the trigger, too quick to use killing as a means to an end.

On the argument that Terminator 2 makes violence almost fashionable or cool. I would say that this movie definitely plays on that theme or motif. In Hollywood violence, and explosions, etc. are cool.