But on the whole, "Terminator 2" has more than enough story, action, thrills and eye-popping special effects to satisfy even the most numbed moviegoers.

Schwarzenegger is very good in his role — the robot in these films remains his most convincing acting assignment. And Hamilton is excellent, a much tougher, more self-reliant character than in the first film — though her use of profanity occasionally goes way too far. (A friend commented to me that in her jungle fatigue wardrobe she could pass for a Soldier of Fortune fantasy — a most apt description.) And young Furlong is also very good, especially when he's called upon to provide humor in his repartee with the cyborg.

There's also some nice work from Joe Morton as a computer programmer who tries to help Schwarzenegger and friends alter the future, and though he's hardly his match physically, Patrick, as the second cyborg, is chillingly effective — and it's an interesting idea to have him throwing Schwarzenegger around like he's so much luggage.

"Terminator 2" is the summer's hottest fantasy-adventure, and it should easily topple other candidates for the season's top box-office contender. It is rated R for considerable violence, profanity and some male nudity.