James Cameron’s 1991 sci-fi masterpiece, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, changed Hollywood visual effects forever by proving that computer-generated imagery (CGI) could carry the dramatic weight of a lead character. By investing an unprecedented chunk of its $100 million budget into digital technology, T2 accelerated the film industry’s transition from physical model-making to digital world-building. It effectively served as the direct technical bridge that made future blockbusters like Jurassic Park and The Matrix possible. 1. The Dawn of the Digital Character
Before T2, CGI was relegated to background elements, abstract shapes, or short experimental sequences. James Cameron’s previous film, The Abyss (1989), featured a 75-second digital water tendril that served as a proof of concept.
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