8.9 | / 10 |
Users | 3.6 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.6 |
It has been 10 years since the events of "Terminator." Sarah Connor’s ordeal is only just beginning as she struggles to protect her son John, the future leader of the human resistance against the machines, from a new Terminator, sent back in time to eliminate him while he’s still a child. Sarah and John don’t have to face this terrifying threat alone, however. The human resistance have managed to send them an ally, a warrior from the future ordered to protect John Connor at any cost.
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick, Earl BoenAction | 100% |
Sci-Fi | 69% |
Thriller | 64% |
Adventure | 58% |
Epic | 38% |
Video codec: MPEG-2
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby Digital 5.1 EX (640 kbps)
English: DTS 5.1 ES Matrix
THX Disc - DTS 5.1 ES (48kHz, 24-bit, 1509 kbps)
English, Spanish
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Come with me if you want to live.
There are three things in life you can count on: death, taxes, and new editions of Terminator
2 on home video. I’ve lost count of how many times I have had this movie in my collection
in
some iteration, sometimes owning multiple copies across formats simultaneously. I’ve had a
standard VHS copy, a VHS special edition, a standard LD, a boxed set LD, and at least 2 DVD
copies,
maybe 3 (I can’t remember!) And now T2 is in high definition for the first time. Of
course
I
own it! This also marks the first time I have seen the film on a big, widescreen television. By the
way, I also saw this film five times in theaters as an adolescent. I’ve never seen any other film
more than twice theatrically, and even those occasions are rare. To say I’ve really liked this
movie
over the years is a vast understatement.
Hey look! It's Blain's gun from 'Predator!'
Lionsgate has released Terminator 2 for the first time on Blu-ray as expected in 1080p high definition inside the film's original 2.35:1 frame. This is a fine but underwhelming presentation on the whole. Flaws are few and far between, but it just doesn't strike me as especially great. The image at times looks slightly washed out, especially in the black levels. There is still a good deal of detail to be seen throughout in both close-ups and distance shots. I noticed no major instances of edge enhancements, but some was indeed present in places. Flesh tones are natural and accurate and color reproduction appears to be spot-on. This is one of the very earliest of Blu-ray releases, and as such, it doesn't quite live up to the standard we are seeing today, even from the more recent Lionsgate titles. Nonetheless, this is still the best looking version of T2 I have ever seen.
Unfortunately, and likely due to the use of a BD-25 disc, there is no lossless audio track to be found on this disc. Instead, we get a very well done 1.5 Mbps DTS track alongside a Dolby Digital 5.1 track running at 640 kbps. On the whole I was pleased with the DTS track, but also disappointed knowing that the inclusion of a PCM or DTS HD MA track would have made a film known for it's sonic experience all the better. Parts of this track are rather subdued, even in the action sequences. Of course, perhaps its not fair to rate this track immediately after watching the first Terminator film on Blu-ray, a film that featured a robust (perhaps overly so) PCM track that had the action going on in every speaker for the length of the film. I'm not one to demand an overly aggressive mix; instead I prefer a natural sounding mix that kicks the surrounds in when need be and plays like real life rather than an engineered track, which the first film's track, at times, came across as (though I thoroughly enjoyed it for the most part). Here, though, it does sound a bit more natural but it came across as obviously lacking in deep bass and an overall sense of immersion into the film. This not much of an upgrade from the 2-disc "Ultimate" special edition DVD. Dialogue is reproduced without a hitch. There is definitely some excellent ambience throughout that really enhance the overall experience. It was, on the whole, surprisingly more front heavy than I expected, and I am sure the inevitable double dip on this title will incorporate some sort of lossless option, PCM most likely if Lionsgate's upcoming releases such as War, 3:10 to Yuma, and Saw IV are any indication.
Sigh. There's nothing here except two commentary tracks. T2 has seen so many releases over the years, many packed with extras, that it's odd that so little is included here. Or maybe it isn't. We all know T2 will see several more releases on Blu-ray before all is said and done, so it's likely the next release will contain a whole lot more. The first commentary track features James Cameron and co-writer William "Bill" Wisher, recorded in 2003 according to the disc. The two delve right into the information, and most of it is very insightful and entertaining with Cameron as the obvious attraction. The second track is a compilation track rather than a straight "discuss while you watch" track. Recorded in 1993, it features 25 cast and crew members discussing pretty much anything you can imagine about the film. One nicety here is that when someone speaks, their name, title, and picture appear at the top of the screen. It's a nice touch that makes an already good track a lot easier to digest.
Terminator 2 is a seminal work in the action genre. It upped the ante considerably for effects and action and few films since have managed to capture the magic of this film. It's an adrenaline pumping flick from beginning to end, one that builds on the story of the first film in a logical manner. Nothing is contrived here to make it work and the film also manages to stand on its own as a remarkable achievement technically, visually, and as a solid and engaging story. Much has been made about only including the theatrical version here. It had been a while since I watched this cut of the film, and even though the longer version works great, this version, which I have seen more times than any other film in my life, is the one that hooked me on the franchise. Technically, this disc is fine but there is room for improvement. The supplements are very good, but there is much more to be seen and it will be seen in subsequent editions. Eventually, a better edition will come out, and this rendition of the film is recommended for die hard fans only.
Skynet Edition
1991
Limited Edition T2 Complete Collector's Set
1991
Skynet Edition
1991
Special Edition
1991
Skynet Edition
1991
1991
+BD with the 3 versions
1991
Endo Arm Special Edition | +BD with the 3 versions
1991
Retro VHS Collection
1991
+BD with the 3 versions
1991
1991
1991
1991
Director's Cut
2009
1080i
2003
2015
40th Anniversary Edition
1984
2019
3 Disc Edition
2012
1990
2008
2015
2015
2020
2003
2015
1985
2009
Corrected Disc / Mad Max 2
1981
1999
2003
Collector's Edition
1979
2018