Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Terminator 2: Judgment Day, presented here in the both the 137-minute theatrical version and the 153-minute expanded version, finds that the Terminator (Schwarzenegger) has a mission to protect rather than destroy. John Connor (Furlong) is the young man who is leader of the resistance in the futuristic war against the machines. The Terminator has been sent back in time from the future to protect Connor as a young boy against the T-1000 model, a lethal robot programmed to assassinate Connor before he is able to grow up and lead the future resistance. Along with John's mother (Hamilton), the boy and his protector escape death and battle out their destinies in order to save the future of humankind. This is the eighth release of the title (LaserDisc [3], DVD [3], D-VHS® D-Theater™ [1], and Blu-ray Disc™ [2]) reviewed. (Gary Reber)

You are given the option of watching the original 1991 theatrical version (137) or the 1993 special edition (153:26) of the film. Special features include a timeline; the 1993 production commentary track with 26 members of the cast and crew; the 2003 Writer/Director audio commentary track with James Cameron and William Wisher; D-BOX® capability; Interactive Modes, which include a Picture-In-Picture video about the making of the film, trivia, production data overlay, behind-the-scenes slideshows, the original screenplay in sync with the film, original storyboard sequences in sync with the film, a T2 trivia quiz, and minigames; five HD trailers; deleted scenes; T-1000's Search, with optional commentary by Robert Patrick and Cameron (HD 01:27); Future Coda, with optional commentary by Stan Winston, Linda Hamilton, and Cameron (HD 01:50); and BD-Live interactivity.

The previously reviewed Blu-ray Disc edition in Issue 112 was MPEG-2-encoded. This new remastered 1080p VC-1 edition exhibits impressively rich, natural colors, deep blacks, and good shadow delineation. Differences between the previous Blu-ray Disc and D-VHS D-Theater release were subtle, as are the differences between this new Blu-ray Disc Skynet Edition. No longer do reds look oversaturated, nor is there noticeable edge enhancement that appeared in the previous edition. Color fidelity is excellent, except for the slightest fleshtone imperfections. Fine details seem to be slightly more precise in this latest edition, and contrast is improved some, providing even better dimensionality in the image. The new definitive edition is pristine, with no distracting artifacts. (Gary Reber)

The previous Blu-ray Disc edition contained the same matrix Dolby® Digital EX™ and DTS-ES® 5.1-channel encodings that were first included on the Ultimate Edition DVD reviewed in Issue 42. Both encodings deliver excellent surround envelopment, although the DTS track has slightly better spatial depth, a more distinct back surround experience, and sounds a bit tighter in the low end. This new lossless DTS-HD Master Audio™ encoding improves on all the mentioned parameters. While there is no discrete ES center back surround channel, phantom center back surround imaging is excellent. Dynamic range is impressive, and imaging is amply wide and deep in the front stage, with aggressively directionalized surround envelopment. The D-BOX Motion Code effects are terrific and impressively enhance the visual and sonic excitement. This is an effective holosonic® sonic experience that is sure to please fans. (Gary Reber)