Review: T2-3D

Originally opened in 1999 at Universal Studios Florida, T2-3D picks up after the second Terminator film, Judgement Day. It stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, and Edward Furlong. Along with Universal Orlando actors, but we'll get to that in a moment.

The building is themed fantastically, and creates a fully immersive experience the moment you walk in. The attraction takes place inside Cyberdyne Systems, the fictional computer company from the films responsible for the creation of SkyNet and the Terminators. Inside the queue there are television screens above displaying CIN, a television network covering news related to Cyberdyne's products and services. There are many cameras in the area as well, and you might just see yourself on screen!

Next you are loaded into the Miles Dyson Memorial Auditorium. This is where you meet Cyberdyne's spokesperson Kimberly Duncan, portrayed by a live actress. She then shows you an informational presentation telling you all about Cyberdyne Systems.

The narrator on this film, along with the CIN screens, is Jim Cummings. Jim voiced Leatherhead in the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series. You can read about when I first met Jim here.

Suddenly, the presentation is interrupted as John and Sarah Connor hack the video feed. They inform you of the impending SkyNet takeover, and provide you with knowledge of the events in T2. Kimberly orders the technicians to find them as the feed is restored. After apologizing for the interruption, she ushers you into the main auditorium, where the presentation begins.

The show starts with a look at Cyberdyne's newest top secret creation, the Model 70 or T-70, one of the earliest terminator models portrayed by actual robots in the theatre. The T-70s then shoot a round of bullets into targets over the audience. As soon as they're finished, John Connor and Sarah Connor invade the auditorium, Portrayed by live actors. But they're not alone... The T-1000 was hiding behind the presentation screen! Sarah and John run through the audience as the terminator chokes Kimberly, throwing her to the side of the screen. Luckily John's terminator, the T-800 from the second film, rides in on his motorcycle to stop the T-1000. He and John use a time portal in the screen to jump into the future, where the ride film starts.

After the 3D film has finished, John and the T-800 are back in the theatre, now the core of SkyNet. The actors then fight the T-1000000, the largest and most powerful Terminator. This is a very cool fight in which the actors interact with a series of screens around the audience. After freezing the T-1000000 long enough to stall it, the T-800 sends John back to our time, at which point he sacrifices himself by blowing up SkyNet.

Back in the present Sarah and John are reunited, as Sarah delivers a speech about how once again owes her life to a machine for protecting John. The lights dim and they disappear, at which point Jim tells us to exit the auditorium.

T2-3D remains one of my favorite attractions at Universal Studios. It's something everyone can enjoy for the action and interactive elements, regardless of wether or not you've seen the Terminator films. I highly recommend it on your next trip to Universal Studios Florida.

Have you seen T2-3D? What was your favorite part? Let us know in the comments below!