Atlassian Team '23 - FGP (Friday Geeky Post) - Top 3 Teams in James Cameron's Movies

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The ultimate event for modern teamwork is just around the corner and one of the VIP speakers will be James Cameron. If you haven't registered yet, you are still in time to do so: Register Now.

This is big news as James Cameron is a Master of Science fiction and action movies, known for creating epic stories with memorable characters and stunning visual effects. His movies have captivated audiences around the world and one of the hallmarks of Cameron's movies is the teams of characters who band together to achieve a common goal. Whether it's saving humanity from a robotic apocalypse or exploring a stranded colony off-world, these teams demonstrate courage, loyalty, and resilience in the face of impossible odds.

Cameron is also an avid explorer and an environmental advocate, and we hope to hear more about that side and the teams and tools that help him Create the Impossible. Can't wait for this talk. 

Since we’re weeks away from Team ’23 we'll look at three of the most iconic teams from James Cameron's movies. These teams have become cultural touchstones, inspiring fans and shaping popular culture. So, without further ado, let's dive into what I think are the top 3 teams in James Cameron's movies!

# 1: Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) – The team that is trying to destroy Skynet.

This movie is widely regarded as one of the greatest action movies of all time. It not only introduced groundbreaking visual effects but also a memorable team of characters that fans still love today. Here’s a closer look:

Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) - The Ultimate Badass

Sarah Connor is the protagonist of the Terminator franchise, and in Terminator 2, she's at her best. After the events of the first movie, Sarah has become a tough and resourceful fighter, determined to protect her son John at any cost. Her transformation from a scared waitress to a badass warrior is one of the most iconic character arcs in movie history. I can recognize more than one colleague passing through a similar transformation with Jira.

John Connor (Edward Furlong) - The Reluctant Hero

John Connor is the key to humanity's survival in the future, but in Terminator 2, he's just a rebellious kid who's trying to enjoy his childhood. He’s got a mix of vulnerability and strength. As he learns to trust the T-800 (Arnie) and become a leader, John's growth is inspiring. He’s also the hacker of the team, cracking codes, and PINs. Security Expert much?

The T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger) - The Tank with a Heart

The T-800 was the villain of the first Terminator movie, but in Terminator 2, he's the hero. Protects John and Sarah with ease and plans out escape plans in his machine head almost to perfection. Learns fast from John’s teachings of human emotions and knows when to apply them. Team’s MVP if you ask me.

Miles Dyson (Joe Morton) - The Tragic villain

Miles Dyson is the head of the Cyberdyne Corporation, the company that will eventually create Skynet. Dyson's character is a tragic one, as he's unaware of the potential consequences of his work until it's too late. In the end, he helps the team fix (destroy) the future bug.

Enrique (Cástulo Guerra) - The Service provider

Enrique is a longtime friend of Sarah and John. We don’t see much of Enrique, but he seems like a reliable weapons keeper and provider. He has tequila, he’s part of the team.

# 2: Aliens - The team that was sent to investigate the Wayland-Yutani colony on LV-426.

Aliens is a science fiction classic that features an unforgettable team of characters, who are sent to investigate the colony on LV-426 (one of the three known moons orbiting the planet Calpamos - sorry that's a lot) and then try to escape a Xenomorph swarm. Here's why the team in Aliens is so cool:

Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) - The Ultimate Survivor

Ellen Ripley is one of the greatest heroines in science fiction, and her role in Aliens cemented her status as an icon. After surviving the events of the first Alien movie, Ripley is haunted by her experiences and reluctant to return to space. But when the aliens resurface, Ripley steps up once again, becoming a fierce fighter and a protective mother figure to Newt (surviving child in the colony). She knows how to prioritize bugs, Alien bugs.

Corporal Dwayne Hicks (Michael Biehn) - The Other Leader

Dwayne Hicks is a marine who serves as the reluctant leader of the team sent to investigate the colony on LV-426 after Sergeant Al Apone’s demise during the mission. Hicks is a thoughtful and competent soldier who cares about the well-being of his fellow team members, not like the rest of the marines that form the team. Bonds with Ripley knowing that teamwork is key when trying to survive these Xenomorphs.

Private Vasquez (Jenette Goldstein) – The Badass  

Private Vasquez is a tough-as-nails marine who doesn't take crap from anyone, and her character's toughness and loyalty make her a fan favorite. She makes dry sarcastic jokes about the mission, and she keeps throwing Private Hudson’s jokes back at him. Solid team player who always knows what tool to use for the job. I’ll choose her to be on my team 10 out of 10 times.

Private Hudson (Bill Paxton) – The Funny Badass.

He is known for his frequent complaining and his pessimistic attitude towards their mission, which often puts him at odds with the more serious and focused members of the team. Despite his attitude, Hudson is a skilled and experienced soldier, and he proves to be an asset to the team during their encounters with the Xenomorphs.

# 3: Titanic (1997) - The team aboard the Akademik Mstislav Keldysh in search of the Heart of the Ocean (necklace with a big diamond on it).

While the movie is primarily focused on the romance between Jack and Rose during the sinking of one of the greatest SHIPS in the world (Titanic), Keldysh's crew also plays an important role. Here's why Keldysh's crew in Titanic is so cool:

Brock Lovett (Bill Paxton) - The Treasure Hunter

Brock Lovett is a treasure hunter who leads the expedition to recover the Heart of the Ocean diamond from the Titanic wreckage. His obsession with the diamond adds an interesting layer to the story. Lovett's realization that the real treasure of the Titanic is its stories and memories is a key theme of the movie. Like finding the hidden value in a Marketplace app feature, priceless.

Lewis Bodine (Lewis Abernathy) - The Hunter’s friend

Lewis Bodine's witty remarks and one-liners provide much-needed fun in an otherwise serious movie. Bodine's enthusiasm for the Titanic and his friendship with Lovett adds an important element of camaraderie to the crew. Big team member.

Lizzy Calvert (Suzy Amis) - The Silent key

Lizzy Calvert is a historian who helps Lovett with his search for the Heart of the Ocean. Calvert's discovery of the drawing of Rose leads to the film's framing device, and her character's quiet strength is a nice contrast to some of the more bombastic crew members like Lewis Bodine. Just imagine if she had a Confluence instance for herself.

In conclusion, the top 3 teams I chose from James Cameron's cinematic career are all exceptional in their way. The team in Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a perfect example of a group of individuals who must work together to achieve a common goal. The team in Aliens is a group of highly trained soldiers who must face an overwhelming and terrifying enemy, and they do so with bravery and skill. And the crew of the Keldysh in Titanic is a diverse group of individuals brought together by a fascinating hunt, each with their strengths and weaknesses.

What makes these teams so memorable is how James Cameron brings them to life on the screen. Through expert direction, strong writing, and outstanding performances from the actors, Cameron creates characters that feel real and relatable, even in the most extraordinary circumstances. Whether it's a group of soldiers fighting an alien invasion, a crew of treasure hunters searching for a lost diamond, or a group of passengers and crew struggling to survive the sinking of a great ship, James Cameron's movies teams are unforgettable.

In Deiser we are not trying to prevent an alien attack or even destroy an AI that tries to end humanity, but we'll try to answer any questions about Atlassian solutions, and tell about a few tips and tricks for them. We can also showcase our apps and showcase a few use cases. So come by our booth (#75) and chat about those or even geek out on James Cameron's movies a bit more. 

James Cameron has created many more movies and maybe I left behind significant characters that are part of these teams or you want to mention other Teams from other movies (remember The Abyss??) so please, go ahead and comment about them or add your own top 3! 

[Pankaj Jangid]

Wow. That was an amazing flashback. Thanks for sharing.

[Fede Baronti -Deiser-]

Thank you very much @Pankaj Jangid ! 

[Andy Gladstone]

Cameron is great at creating dysfunctional teams that need to come together for a common cause. All three of the examples you bring would be case studies for the Teamwork Lab at Atlassian.

As for me, the greatest (yet highly dysfunctional) team in a Cameron movie is the crew of the Deep Core in The Abyss. Bringing together the volatility of civilians, US Navy Seals and a broken marriage *on a remote drilling rig in the Caribbean to save the world from nuclear war during the Cold War (although the move does take place in 1994 after the Cold War ended, but since the movie was filmed in 1988 there was no way for Cameron to know that at the time) was a recipe for disaster. Thanks to the NTI's though, they were saved from themselves.

[Fede Baronti -Deiser-]

Thanks, @Andy Gladstone  That is an excellent way of looking at it, and a nice shoutout to The Abyss! 

I find The crew of the Deep Core very dysfunctional, too. That's why I didn't include it in my top 3. But in a dysfunctional top 3, I believe it'd rank as #1.