Terminator 2: Judgment
Day – Skynet Edition
(1991/Lionsgate Blu-ray)
Picture: B
Sound: B+ Extras: B- Extended Cut: B+ Theatrical Film Cut: B
Terminator 2: Judgment Day is back
on Blu-ray and for the first time, includes the superior Extended Cut missing
from the basic 25GB Blu-ray we reviewed a few years ago. For more information on the film, its story
and technical information, go to this link:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/3976/Terminator+2:+Judgment+Day+(Blu-ra
Since that release, far better-looking Blu-rays have
arrived, HD-DVD fell and standards for HD playback are catching up with
ours. Though the picture and sound on
this addition are nominally better than the older Blu-ray, the 1080p 2.35 X 1 digital
High Definition image is still softer than it should be in several instances
and though there are some great shots typical of how good this looked in
theaters in its original release, this is not the best this could look and not
the kind of copy that you could blow up to 70mm prints. Still, it is the best footage in HD of the
film to date, give or take a few samples I have seen, scrubbing suggested by
another writer would explain the softness along with why silver, metallic and
mirror surfaces do not look metallic enough and I have not seen either the
Japanese Blu-ray editions or German steel book HD-DVD version of the film.
The DTS ES 6.1 and Dolby Digital 5.1 EX mixes are back, but
have the added bonus of D-BOX motion bass enhancement and the DTS is now in the
DTS-HD Master Audio (MA) lossless format.
The DTS is again better than the Dolby, but the sound in both versions
(either length of film, either DTS or Dolby sound format) sometimes sounds
second generation, until you get to the action audio, which sounds better than
previous editions for the most part.
Still, this could have been more dynamic throughout, but has enough
improved moments to go for the upgrade.
The THX Optimizer and two older audio commentary tracks
for the theatrical cut, both excellent, are back too. One is with Cameron and co-writer William
Wisher, the other with 26 other cast & crew of the film. New extras include 8 hours of BD Live
interactive special features which are not quite the older loaded special
edition versions of the film, but not bad.
This is a nice upgrade, but more needs to be done and when a key
anniversary comes up, a double Blu-ray set would be called for. Until then, there is enough demo material
here for all serious Blu-ray and home theater owners.
- Nicholas Sheffo
