Without hesitation, I can say that this movie (now nearing twenty years of age) is a modern-day classic. Deservedly so. It utilizes Arnold's abilities and image perfectly, while developing one of the best post-apocalyptic action stories ever done for the screen. The action is pulse-quickening in a way few of today's action movies can be, the acting from Linda Hamilton and then-newcomer Edward Furlong (his best in an very uneven career) creates moving characters. Cameron proves again how terrific a director he is, after "Aliens" (1986) and before "Titanic" (1997) and "Avatar" (2009). Followed by two inferior, but still entertaining sequels.
Well, okay, it's a toss-up between 'T2' and 'Aliens'. Nobody, but nobody, makes a sci-fi action classic like James Cameron, which gives me tremendous hope for 'Avatar'. I've seen 'T2' many times, and it never gets old. One of those rare, rare sequels that completely blows the original out of the water. (And the first 'Terminator' was good too!)
I watched this movie religiously as a child, and while it holds a lot of sentimental value, I still think it's one of the greatest action movies every made, and it's absolutely timeless.