Terminator 2: Judgment Day Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		3.5

Terminator 2: Judgment Day Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov May 7, 2009

James Cameron’s “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (1991) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of UK-based distributor Optimum Releasing. The disc contains all three versions of the film – Theatrical, Special Edition and Extended Special Edition – as well as a familiar set of extras. Subtitled in English, French, German and Turkish. Region-B “locked”.

Locked

It is an indisputable fact that there are few contemporary directors who can match James Cameron’s ability to shoot terrific action films. The charismatic Canadian has been one of Hollywood’s darlings for years, and for a good reason -- his name guarantees solid box office performance.

In 1984 Cameron shot The Terminator, an intense action film about a young woman, Sarrah Connor (Linda Hamilton), who runs for her life while a vicious machine (Arnold Schwarzenegger) tries to kill her. The machine, also known as a terminator, arrives from the future, where humans and terminators are apparently at war. Another guest from future, Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), also appears and tells Sarah why she is being hunted -- her unborn son is the leader of the human resistance. Shortly after, he gets her pregnant.

Seven years later, Cameron shot Terminator 2: Judgment Day, the highly anticipated sequel to his Terminator. He chose a familiar formula for it -- the present and the future were once again closely intertwined -- though this time around the muscular, soon-to-be governor of California, Schwarzenegger played a “good” terminator sent by Sarah’s son to protect her from the “bad” T-1000 (Robert Patrick).

Most of Terminator 2: Judgment Day, however, focuses on the young John Connor (Edward Furlong) and his relationship with the “good” terminator. Sarah is locked in a psychiatric facility where she recalls her encounter with Kyle. Meanwhile, John and the two terminators wreck havoc on the streets of L.A. The film ends with a decisive battle where the two machines figure out their differences.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a hard-core action film whose only goal is to entertain. Aside from a few rather weak “what ifs” addressing our future, the rest of it is undoubtedly as transparent as it could possibly be. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing though, given that the original film left little room for experimentation.

Most big summer blockbusters are filmed with PG ratings in mind, but Terminator 2: Judgment Day was an exception (probably one of the key reasons why it did not disappoint). As a result, its dialog was fresh and most of its characters surprisingly convincing. The young Edward Furlong, for example, proved to be a bona fide discovery (he did some very strong work in films that did not receive much recognition in the US but were highly-regarded in Europe -- James Gray’s Little Odessa immediately comes to mind).

I don’t recall when was the last time I saw Terminator 2: Judgment Day theatrically. I think that a few years ago I was taken to a matinee screening of it, but my memories are vague. On the other hand, having spent more than a few hours with the Lionsgate Blu-ray release of the film earlier this week, and now the Skynet Edition, courtesy of Optimum Releasing, it is fair to say that it would be another couple of years before I feel the need to see it again. This being said, Cameron’s film really got me into thinking about the upcoming Terminator: Salvation (2009), which unsurprisingly boasts a PG-13 rating. Could it be a pleasant surprise without Schwarzenegger on board? I don’t know, but I am planning to find out!

Terminator 2: Judgment Day Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.40:1, encoded with VC-1 and granted a 1080p transfer, James Cameron's Terminator 2: Judgment Day arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of UK-based distributors Optimum Releasing. The disc contains the Theatrical and Special Edition versions of the film as well as the Extended Special Edition version, which has been made available as an Easter egg. The access code for it is - 82997.

I know that plenty of people have been looking forward to the Skynet Edition of Terminator 2: Judgment Day, hoping that it would be the definitive release for this popular film, so I would like to mention upfront that there are some good and bad news about it that will likely guarantee the arrival of a new SE a couple of years from now.

The Good:
A quick comparison between this new transfer - which Optimum, Kinowelt and Studio Canal are sharing for the UK, German and French Skynet releases - and the old one Lionsgate used for their first Blu-ray release of Terminator 2: Judgment Day a few years ago, reveals some dramatic improvements in terms of color and color-saturation; yellows, reds, blues, greens, blacks and whites are notably stronger. When blown through a digital projector, the image also remains pleasingly stable – there is no flickering, shimmering, etc. Generally speaking, contrast is also strong, though I detected some mild boosting, which I am fairly certain the more sensitive amongst you will notice as well. There are no stability issues and the film looks notably healthy -- there are no overly disturbing scratches, specks, stains, or dirt.

The Bad:
The bad news is that I detected plenty of noise reduction on this transfer. Coupled with the contrast boosting mentioned earlier, this will more than likely annoy those of you who are sensitive to DNR application. The overwhelming amount of the noise reduction is noticeable primarily during close-ups, but there is plenty during some of the panoramic daylight scenes as well. As a result, clarity and detail suffer substantially. Furthermore, there is also plenty of edge-enhancement that tends to pop up irregularly throughout the film (the effect is easily noticeable on a larger that 50' screen). To sum it all up, it is probably best that you find a way to check this transfer out first and see whether or not what I've noted above bothers you. There is a good chance that some of you may not be as sensitive to the noise reduction as I was, but there is also a good chance that some of you may find it impossible to tolerate. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" release which you won't be able to play on your Region-A PS3 or SA. In order to access the content of this Blu-ray disc, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player).

Terminator 2: Judgment Day Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are a number of audio options on this Blu-ray disc: English DTS-HD Master Audio 6.1, English Dolby Headphone 2.0, French DTS-HD HR 5.1, German DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 and German Dolby Headphone 2.0. I opted for the English DTS-HD Master Audio 6.1 track and later on did a few random comparisons with the rest of the tracks.

I'll say it upfront – the English DTS-HD Master Audio 6.1 track is absolutely fantastic! It is incredibly potent, unbelievably crisp and with plenty of activity in the rear channels. Logically, I believe that the Skynet Edition will force many of you to seriously reconsider how good an early 90s film could sound. The amount of depth the English DTS-HD Master Audio 6.1 track reveals is absolutely unbelievable. There are a number of dramatic enhancements, especially in regard to bass activity, that convincignly overshadow what Lionsgate's early Blu-ray release conveyed (the only tracks on the old release are English Dolby Digital 5.1 EX and English DTS-ES Matrix 6.1).This being said, the dialog is extremely easy to follow and there are absolutely no pops, cracks, or hissings that I could detect. As expected, balance is also impeccable.

Now, before we move to the dub options, I would like to mention that there is a very interesting English Dolby Headphone 2.0 track that allows you to experience full 5.1 Surround audio using only stereo headphones. I did experiment with it (with the chase scene where the second terminator runs the large truck into the concrete wall) and I must admit that this is actually a pretty impressive mix, which you might want to consider, if you want to watch the film very, very late at night (as noted above, the disc also contains a German Dolby Headphone 2.0 dub).

This being said, the two dubs – German DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 and French DTS-HD HR 5.1 – seem quite strong as well. I played with the French DTS-HD HR 5.1 track a bit, and though it does not quite match the depth and potency of the English DTS-HD Master Audio 6.1 track, it is certainly something French speakers might want to consider (obviously, it is always best to see the film with the original audio on). As far as the German DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track is concerned, I only tested a few scenes and my impression is that it is as strong as the English-HD Master Audio 6.1 track (bass and surround activity in particular appear identical). Please note that all of the Special Edition scenes on this Blu-ray disc appear in English audio only with localized subtitles.

Finally, this Blu-ray disc is also D-Box enabled. In addition, there is a THX Optimizer as well as a T2 THX Trailer (also optimized) available through the audio menu. For the record, Optimum Releasing have supplied optional English, French, German and Turkish subtitles for the main feature.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Terminator: Judgment Day Skynet Edition is a Profile 2.0 enabled disc offering a number of interesting though very familiar extras. English, French and German subtitles are provided for each and every one of them. (Please note that I cannot comment in detail on the extra features listed below due to the fact that I was sent only a Profile 1.0 screener).

Interactive Modes:

Visual Implants – a picture-in-picture video about the making of the film during the feature.

Trivia Data Overlay – text commentary and trivia during the film.

Production Data Overlay – view specific shot methodologies during the film.

Linked Data Modules – branch out from the film to view behind-the-scenes audio slideshow segments.

Source Code – allows access to the original screenplay in sync with the film.

Schematics – allows access to the original storyboard sequences in sync with the film.

Query Mode- a T2 trivia quiz which you could take while watching the film.

Processor Tests – Here you could test your skills with minigames during the film.

Ancillary Data:

Two theatrical trailers ("This Tim There Are Two" and "Same Make, New Mission"), a teaser ("Building The Perfect Arnold"), a T2 SE trailer ("More Than Meets the Eye") and a T2 THX trailer (all in 1080p with optional English, French and German subtitles). In addition, there are two omitted scenes – "T-1000's Search"(1:27), with an optional commentary by Robert Patrick and James Cameron, and "Future Coda" (1:48), with an optional commentary by Stan Winston, Linda Hamilton and James Cameron. Both scenes are available with optional English, French and German subtitles. Finally, Dyson Protocol List highlights the companies and individuals that contributed to the Skynet Edition of Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

Sensory Control:

Production Commentary - recorded in 1993, featuring 26 members of the cast and crew. For the record, this commentary has been available on previous SDVD and BD releases of the film. It is subtitled in English, French and German.

Writer/Director Commentary – a 2003 audio commentary with James Cameron and William Wisher. Once again, this commentary has been available on previous SDVD and BD releases of the film, so most of you should be fairly familiar with it. It is subtitled in English, French and German.

Skynet Access:

As metnioned earlier, currently I am unable to comment on the online bonus content, which those of you with Profile 2.0 players will be able to access after June 1.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the Skynet Edition of Terminator 2: Judgment Day will spur a number of very intense discussions. This new Blu-ray release offers some substantial upgrades in the audio and video departments, but it also reveals a few issues that will likely force some to effectively dismiss it. I don't, and I strongly recommend that you find a way to see it first and decide for yourself whether or not what different reviewers have stated, this one included, accurately reflects the actual quality of the transfer. After all, what matters the most is that you, the consumers, are satisfied with the Blu-ray treatment, not what we, the reviewers, think of it.