Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Robert Patrick, Edward Furlong
Directed by: James Cameron
Studio: Lions Gate Home Entertainment
Video: 2.35:1 widescreen f
Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1 EX, English DTS-ES 5.1
Subtitles & Captions: English and Spanish
Extras: Archival audio commentary track with James Cameron and co-writer William Wisher; archival audio commentary track with cast and crew
Length: 137 minutes
Rating: ****
In the future, John Connor is the leader of the human resistance against the machines (robots). In order to fulfill his destiny and become this future leader, John must first protect his younger self in the present day. John sends a T-800 cyborg Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) back in time as his protector, however, the machines counter by sending back a more sophisticated, morphing T-1000 Terminator (Robert Patrick) to eliminate young John (Edward Furlong). Once John’s mother Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) frees herself from incarceration in a mental institution (where she was placed for her warnings of an impending nuclear holocaust), the threesome battle the T-1000 Terminator in an attempt to save the human race.
Using an HDMI video connection (via a Logitech HDMI cable), the overall HD video quality of this DVD is very good. Images are clean with fine detail and solid blacks. Colors are rich yet accurate with nicely saturated hues. Picture defect mastering is commendable with no major flaws (although a speckle or two of dirt can be occasionally observed). While it may not be the finest video presentation of any Blu-ray DVD available today, this is hands-down the best video presentation of ‘T-2’ to date. The audio quality is also very good with the compressed English DTS-ES 5.1 surround track serving as the basis for this review. The soundtrack actively incorporates all of the discrete channels into the mix. Dialogue is intelligible and firmly anchored in the center channel. The surround channels are aggressively utilized for both the sound effects and music soundtrack. The low frequency effects channel is powerful with ample opportunity to rumble.
It has been nearly sixteen years since the theatrical release of ‘T-2’, yet the film still holds up well. In terms of overall movie quality, ‘T-2’ is, and will continue to be, a sci-fi classic, chock full of classic lines, car chases, explosions, and special effects. This Blu-ray DVD release has improved video but unfortunately offers nothing new from the previously released ‘Ultimate Edition’ standard DVD in terms of audio track options. More supplements together with a new uncompressed PCM or lossless audio track would have made for an even stronger release, but until such time as there is an ‘Ultimate Terminator 2 Blu-ray DVD’ release, this version receives my vote as the new ‘T-2’ reference standard disc.
– Calvin Harding Jr.
