Terminator 2: Judgment Day (Special Edition) (US)

I received the DVD18(1 disc, 2 sided, dual-layer) version. This is one of the best dvds i`ve come across for extras and I do mean extras, different sound formats, THX test card and video quality. I agree totally with the two reviews on this web site. All I can say is that I hope that they bring out the region 2 version just as good as this for people who haven`t got multi regional dvd players. This is what you call an ULTIMATE DVD!

I was spurred into buying T2 - UE after I recently stumbled across a VHS copy of the film, lifted from an old Sky broadcast as I recall. This was the original theatrical release, badly degraded, and missing all of those lovely extra bits I`d seen on TV in the past few years. I had fond memories of the film from my youth and this was the main reason for an impulse buy!

I received the DVD 18 version, and although I have to say I probably would have preferred two DVD 9s, it`s the content that really interests me, and I wasn`t disappointed.

The film has never looked or sounded as good as this at home. The anamorphic 2.35:1 print is amazing, and the DD 5.1 track is great. I couldn`t test out the DTS track, as I don`t have a suitable decoder. One minor quibble is that on my player you can`t select between the audio tracks during the film, only at the start, which is a pain if you just want to listen to a bit of the commentary track. I suspect this is something to do with the seamless branching technique employed.

The disc does contain a staggering amount of extra material, including three whole documentaries, a bevy of theatrical and teaser trailers, interviews, photo galleries, and the list goes on. In addition to the two advertised versions of the film present on the disc, there is also a hidden third edition with an alternative ending. I have to say I prefer the original ending to the one here though.

While not one of my favourite films, and in my opinion not as good as the original Terminator, T2 is a good movie in it`s own right. The special edition does expand the narrative and develop the characters more, and I prefer this to the theatrical release. For me, Robert Patrick steals the show as the T1000, a machine even more unstoppable than Arnie himself!

Overall a fairly solid story, although it does tend to get a bit sentimental at times, and astounding (for their time) special effects, go towards making this a very enjoyable two and a half hours or so. Roll on the Ultimate Edition of the original Terminator!

what can i say about a film which has one commentry from 26 people! it is very interesting watching that commentry to find out how they did all those effects. also make sure you watch the making of terminator 2 : 3d. not to find out how they made it but to hear arnold schwarzenegger say "so jimmy cameron rings me up and he says, ve are going to make terminador, in sreee deee!"

FILM: I remember first seeing T2 on VHS rental back in 1993, as I was too young to see it at the cinema at the time. It was the best movie experience I had ever witnessed, and probably still is to this day. The whole story is about 10-year-old John Connor (Furlong) who is targeted for termination by the T-1000 (Patrick), who had come back through time. The reason behind this was that Connor would lead the human resistance in the year 2029 to destroy the `machines` that had taken over after the nuclear holocaust. The T-1000 didn`t come alone, though. Back again from Cameron`s first installment is Arnold`s T-800, a technically inferior model, but one that has been reprogrammed to protect John. We also see the return of Sarah Connor (Hamilton), who was the original victim of the Terminator- the mother of the future resistance leader. T2 is a real action/sci-fi showpiece which set a new benchmark for special effects and stunning set pieces. A real rollercoaster ride of non-stop thrills which will not fail to impress. Note: there are two versions of this DVD doing the rounds; a double sided disc (1x DVD-18) and two single sided discs (2x DVD-9). The double sided discs represent the first batch of T2:UE released, but due to the complexity of the authoring, two single sided discs went into production.
VIDEO QUALITY- The video quality in the `Ultimate Edition` of T2 is a real aesthetic treat, but doesn`t go without its faults. On show is the original 2.35:1 theatrical aspect ratio, in a nice anamorphic transfer. The image is generally sharp, without any motion artifacts, and zero grain. The only minor nuisances I could find were small amounts of dust in certain scenes, and occasionally the line structure was a little bit too noticable. Considering that this is an NTSC version (containing around 300 lines of picture information) of the movie though, the slight picture flaws are no real shock. I found that by viewing the movie in pure NTSC, as opposed to PAL 60, brought out a more vibrant and accurate colour palette. Look out for visual highlights such as sunset scenes in the desert and daylight scenes in downtown LA.
AUDIO QUALITY- The three audio options available here are a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix, a Dolby Surround 2.0 mix and a newly created DTS 6.1 sound mix. All three audio mixes sound excellent, with explosions and gunfire ringing out with superb clarity. Dialogue was also very `clean` sounding and came out clearly in the scenes that were important. I found that overall, the DTS soundtrack had the edge, sounding the `cleanest`, and with the excellent Brad Fiedel score sounding even more powerful. Definitely reference quality material. Look out for audio highlights such as the future war sequence that opens the movie and Arnold`s mini gun scene towards the end.
THE EXTRAS- Wow. Never before have I seen so many quality extras on one release. Included here is everything from the various theatrical trailers to complete `making of` featurettes that take literally days to plough through. Fantastic! Go to the Data Hub to find my personal favourite, the `Interrogation Surveillance Archives`, compiled of many video shorts. In the Data Hub is also the Data Core section, which includes a mixture of text and video footage. These text pages integrate mainly cast and crew interviews to make the information more enjoyable. Definitely on a par with the impressive extras contained in the `Abyss` special edition. Well Done Artisan!
OVERALL- If you have access to region 1 titles, and love Schwarzenegger movies or just action in general, then buy this DVD now!

Terminator 2 hit the screens in 1991, and I was lucky enough to see one of the first screenings. I remember how it blew me away then, and it`s been my top film ever since - superb action, superb effects, and a superb plot (with surprisingly few holes for a film of this genre!). I managed to get hold of a pirate video copy just after the cinema release - camcorder at the back of the cinema, complete with a guy`s head in the way! Then I bought the official video, and now the DVD - and in my eyes, the film has just got better and better!

I won`t dwell on the plot, as no doubt you`ll have a good idea what happens - from reading these reviews if not seeing the film - so I`ll just talk about the DVD. Suffice to say, I`m not disappointed. Even the box is something special - aluminium sleeve surrounding (and protecting!) the clever 2-disk box, and a detailed and interesting booklet thrown in for good measure.

From the moment you put the disk in the player, you know you`re in for a treat. The menu animation is superb, and all based around designs in the film. Select Special Edition, DTS sound, and away you go!

The picture quality is superb. The film really exercises the player, with extremes of light, dark and colour. The opening sequence was spectacular in the cinema, but it is probably even better on DVD, especially with volume cranked up. It`s dark, but you can still see every detail, which to me is one of the strengths of the format - T2 is certainly the disk to play to any luddite friends and relatives who think that it`s not worth buying a player. All the way through the film, you`re reminded just how good DVD is - and the transfer does it justice, with no noticeable blemishes as far as I could see.

The soundtrack really does rival the cinema experience. Use of the rear soundstage is just right; effects and background music sit just behind the ears, but don`t detract from the action in the front. The nuclear blast scene really rattles the speakers! The musical score deserves some mention, too; not intrusive, as film scores can sometimes be, and it adds just the right atmosphere to the action.

The special edition has around 16 minutes of footage that was pruned from the theatrical release - presumably to get the length of the film down. (Warning: potential spoilers in this paragraph.) Some of the scenes don`t add too much to the plot, but they give a bit more depth to the movie - and when you`ve seen the film as many times as I have, it`s a pleasant surprise to see something new! Other scenes, though, really add something. In an early scene, the medical orderlies in Pescadero Mental Institue beat Sarah up to force her to take her drugs, which then justifies the violence of her attack when she breaks a broom handle over his head. You`re also shown how Sarah and John reprogram the T-101 to enable it`s learning capacity, and there`s a classic scene where John is trying to teach Arnie how to smile - a real shame that one was cut from the theatrical release. There are many others, too - and if you miss them, they`re detailed in the booklet.

As for special features - wow! It`s been well publicised just how much extra stuff has been crammed into this disk - and a good amount of it is worth seeing, too (well, the parts I`ve watched are all worth an airing, anyway). There are no less than 3 documentaries of different types, as well as a whole host of features about makeup, special effects, cast and crew info, storyboards - even the screenplay. To be honest, a lot of this stuff I`ve only glanced at, because there`s so much on here, and there are only so many hours in the day.

So, as you may guess, I like it! I`m a huge fan of the film anyway, but the DVD transfer adds a new dimension. Video, sound, action, effects, plot - even the acting (Arnie`s wooden style suits the character very well in this film, and if anything, a better actor would probably have over-acted it). Robert Patrick, too, is superb, as is Linda Hamilton - makes a change to see a proper female lead in an action film, instead of the usual Hollywood portrayal or women. I`m not normally a `10 out of 10` kind of guy, but I really can`t justify giving this film less than that in any category. Definately a must for any collection.

SMP, 22Feb01

For me one of the best films hollywood has produced has been christened on DVD. It came in a metal case which looks smart and valuable. Apparently the R2 version is said to not be as good but this is worth a buy if you have a multi region DVD player. There are actually Three versions of the film on your first disc. The third and ultimate edition is hidden but worth a watch nearly 3 hours long but better than the special and theatrical versions!
The extras are worth watching but over here in the UK I don`t think you can see the production scripts etc on your PC...
Worth buyingg!

Come on, there can`t be that many people who haven`t seen it yet! Simply the best DVD out...so far.

This is the first Region one DVD I bought last year when I bought my first DVD player, and is still one of the best.

The story is simple, a terminator sent back to the past to kill the leader of the future resistance against the machines, a second terminator reprogrammed and also sent back in time to protect the young John Conner.

Picture: -
Presented in 2:35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, the transfer is top-notch quality that has been remastered and it shows not a spec of dirt in sight and the colours are vivid and clear.


Sound: -

The sound is also top quality and one of the first DVDs to feature DTS sound and with most films that feature Dolby Digital and DTS tracks the DD is good but the DTS blows you away, the added bass shakes and rattles your windows in the opening future battle, and the surrounds are used more aggressively.


Extras: -

Ahhh the extras, over 6 hours of content which includes over 40 special features, a very well presented 32-page "collectors" booklet and 3 Versions of the film, yes you heard right 3 versions of the film which are The Theatrical Version, The Special Edition Version and The Extended Special Edition version the latter only accessible with a code.
While I could rattle off loads of features I recommend just buying and seeing for yourself.

Overall: -

Overall this DVD is an essential purchase for anyone (apart from people to don't like the film, if there is such a person),
The disks (When I bought mine it was a flipper, but later re-printed as 2-Disks) are jam-packed full with extras 3 version of the film excellent sound and picture, if you don't own this package I urge you to buy it.

James Cameron`s sequel to his 1984 original remains one of the best and coolest action movies ever.Filled with awesome F/X and spectacular action scenes,T2 is one of the more enjoyable movies I`ve seen.

Artisan has released a stunning ultimate edition loaded with everything there is to know about T2.There are two separate versions availible:one as a DVD-18 and the other as two DVD-9`s.It`s better to own the double-disc version to avoid disc stratching on both sides.The version I have is the two disc set with a cardboard slip case,not the aluminum case.Inside the case,there is a 32 page booklet containing photos and information about the new scenes and extras.

The first disc features cool 3D-animated menus that takes you through the terminator factory and stops at the head of a terminator.There are 3 versions to be found: the theatrical version,special edition,and a hidden version with an added scene and an alternate ending.

All three films are presented in 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen,with a THX optimizer availible.With the exception of minor film grain,the transfer is free of virtually any defects.The picture remains sharp and features stunning clarity.Scenes inside the steel mill are of exceptional quality.

An Oscar winner for best sound,T2 rocks in the audio department.I don`t own a DTS receiver,so I watched the movie
in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround EX. This is an awesome and aggresive track that makes excellent of all the channels.
The THX logo before the movie begins is pretty cool.

Extras on disc 1 includes audio commentary with 26 members of the cast & crew.Creative supervisor and disc producer Van Ling hosts this track which is made up of interviews.Despite this,the track is full of interesting information.Also to be found are cast and crew bios and DVD-ROM features.

The second disc starts off with cool menus that takes you through floors of the terminator factory.There are 3 documentaries that run under 30 minutes: "The making of T2","T2: More than meets the eye" talks abouts the deleted scenes.The final documentary is about the making of the 3-D theme park attraction.

There are also trailers,the entire screenplay,700+ storboards,and a section simply titled "The ultimate T2 DVD supplement".This monster section is divided into 50 chapters and covers everything about the movie from development to cinematography to merchandise to weapons.It will take a lot of time to get through everything.

Whoa.

To get the third hidden version,selects special edition at the first menu and punch in the following code: 82997.Doing this will highlight the words "The future is not set"

Featuring an excellent transfer,cool menus,neat packaging,and absolutely everything you ever wanted to know about T2. This is easliy the best DVD ever.

The box says this is the "ultimate edition," and it`s not kidding. This movie has been given one of the most thorough treatments any film has been afforded on DVD so far.

As we all know by now, "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" is the sequel to James Cameron's highly successful independent movie "Terminator" with which he made a name for himself and for his main star, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Heavy on the special effects and action sequences, but also presenting us with well-defined characters, the film soon became one of the most influential and ground-breaking movies of the early 90s. Giving this movie the deluxe treatment we get to witness on this DVD seems more than appropriate.

One of the biggest questions on everyone's mind is obviously, how does the DTS track compare to the Dolby Digital version? Let me start by saying that they are both extremely impressive and shatter all inhibitions you may have had about either format. However, upon a direct comparison, the DTS track has a noticeably stronger bass extension and appears to have a finer delineated spatial resolution. It seems easier to exactly pinpoint the location of a sound source on the screen in the DTS version than when listening to the Dolby Digital track.
If you enjoy your sound system, there are very few DVDs out there more suited to have fun with it than this special edition of `Terminator 2.`

I think no one with an appreciation for movies, the art of creating them, and the love for DVD can afford to miss this phenomenal disc. Technically sophisticated and flawless in its presentation, "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" is quite easily the best DVD in the market!