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T2 - Extreme DVD
Stars:
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Robert Patrick, and Edward Furlong
Writers:
James Cameron and William Wisher
Director:
James Cameron
Feature
length: 152 minutes
DVD-Video
Extras: Audio Commentary With James Cameron and William Wisher, Graphic
Commentary With Optional Rare Behind-The-Scenes Footage, Dolby Headphone Track,
“No Feat, But What You Make” Documentary, “T2: On The Set” Montage
DVD-ROM
Extras: T2: High Definition Theatrical Cut Windows Media File, Infiltration Unit
Simulator And T2 FX Studio, Skynet Combat Chassis Designer
Languages:
English Dolby Digital 5.1 EX Surround Soundtrack
Subtitles:
English Captions and Closed Captions and Spanish Language Subtitles
Packaging:
Double-Disc Amaray Keep Case Within A Metal Sleeve
Chapter
Stops: 80/72
Sound:
Dolby Digital 5.1 EX Surround Sound
Year
of Theatrical Release: 1991/DVD Release: 2003
Theatrical
Distributor: TriStar Pictures
Home
Video Distributor: Artisan Home Entertainment
MPAA
Rating: R
Reviewer:
Mark A. Rivera
I
want start this review by stating that according to DVD Producer Van Ling,
“Terminator 2: Judgment Day: Extreme DVD Edition” is not a replacement for
the already popular “Terminator 2: Judgment Day: Ultimate Edition” DVD. As
far as I know Artisan Home Entertainment will continue to have both the
“Ultimate” and “Extreme” editions available. Mr. Ling states in the
liner notes within the insert “I believe we’ve created a worthy companion
disc for those who already own the “T2 Ultimate Edition” DVD, and a great
stand-alone for those who are getting the movie for the first time.” I agree
that this is not a replacement, but a supplement meant to take advantage of
certain enhancements in the technology of DVD presentation as well as capture
the excitement of Warner Brothers upcoming theatrical release of “Terminator
3: Rise Of The Machines,” which is set to open for the long July 4 Holiday
Weekend. So before some of you start to lament the fact that they see no reason
why this set could not have been made sooner or that the “Ultimate Edition”
has so much, what more can this offer? Let me state that in terms of
comprehensive supplements that tell you almost everything you would ever want to
know about “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” the “Ultimate Edition” has this
version beat. In fact there are quite a few extra features that remain exclusive
to the “Ultimate Edition” that are not included here. If I were to liken
this two-disc set to another studio’s DVD release it would be like how New
Line marketed “The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring” with the
theatrical cut first and then a few months later came the four-disc “Extended
DVD Edition,” which included just about everything viewers might want to know
about that film without repeating the extra value features found in the two-disc
set. Artisan just inverted the release and spread them apart by a few years.
In
the case of the “Extreme DVD Edition” we get some aspects carried over for
the interactive extreme commentary track, but for the most part, the features
found on this are not found on the “Ultimate Edition” and so on. In addition
to the liner notes by DVD Producer Van Ling there are also extensive notes
covering the hard work that went into creating the High Definition restoration
of “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” and the effort put into making this new DVD
edition of “T2” as well as some instructions on the ROM materials found on
the second disc. There is also a coupon inside for a $5 dollar rebate on select
Artisan Special Edition DVD releases with an advertisement for the Sci-Fi
Channel’s upcoming miniseries remake of “Battlestar Galactica,” which will
air in December of 2003.
Now
I do own the “T2: Ultimate Edition” DVD but rather than go into an in depth
comparison of what and why this “Extreme DVD Edition” is what it is as
compared to the “Ultimate Edition” I feel I’ve already given a general
summery of what to expect for those who are concerned and there are plenty of
“T2: Ultimate Edition” DVD reviews online elsewhere from a few years back so
since I never reviewed that release, I’d rather approach this DVD at face
value and go from there.
Well
believe it or not “seeing is truly believing” when it comes to this DVD, the
picture presentation, which was down converted from a brand new 1080p 24sf High
Definition Digital Telecine Transfer is nothing short of jaw dropping. This is
by far one of the best DVD transfers I have seen so far in terms of picture
quality. The colors and tones look spectacular. Everything appears solid. The
detail in the background is amazing and there are no imperfections to be seen
anywhere. To be blunt, this DVD makes “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” appear as
if he film was made a year ago instead of 13 or so years ago. I could put screen
comparisons up, but honestly still shots can be a bit deceiving sometimes. My
suggestion to anyone interested in buying this DVD, but skeptical over whether
or not the picture quality is as good as I and I’m sure other reviewers on and
offline are stating, is to go to your local electronics home theater retail
store and ask for a demo. If seeing is not believing then there is nothing
anyone can do to change your mind. However I really do think this transfer is
what earns the DVD the “Extreme Edition” labeling. “Terminator 2: Judgment
Day” is presented in a (2.35:1) anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio that
provides the closest possible replication of the theatrical experience for the
home viewer on DVD. The THX Optimizer® program is also included for picture and
sound calibration. With a progressive scan DVD player and a TV that features an
enhanced viewing mode or is an HDTV, the results can be staggering. As has been
noted as well on various websites and newsgroup posts, the theatrical cut of the
film is also present on disc one for DVD-Video set top users. Just highlight the
“Sensory Control” option and hit the right arrow button on your remote six
times. On the sixth pressing the words “The Future Is Not Set” will appear.
Highlight it and press enter and the menus will change for the theatrical cut.
Please note that the “Extreme Interactive Mode” and the commentary with
James Cameron and William Wisher” are not present for the theatrical cut. They
are also available for the special edition.
Both
versions feature a discrete English Dolby Digital 5.1 EX Surround Soundtrack
that is quite impressive. While not as aggressive as the DTS track found on the
“Ultimate Edition,” the nuances of sound present on this DVD made the
viewing experience truly engrossing. English Captions and Closed Captions for
the hearing impaired and Spanish Language Subtitles are encoded as options, but
they can only be activated and deactivated from the menu screen and do not turn
on and off while the film is in progress. A Dolby Headphone Soundtrack is also
included.
Exclusive
to the special edition cut is the excellent screen specific feature length audio
commentary with Writer and Director James Cameron and Writer William Wisher. The
commentary is very interesting and is the first time Cameron and Wisher have
ever sat down for a feature length commentary in its entirety for a film like
“T2.” Cameron makes a joke regarding the line “She’ll be back” spoken
by Arnold in the “T3” trailer and he definitely dominates the discussion
when he has something to say, but he also appears to very respectful of
Wisher’s comments and never interrupts without recalling Wisher’s previously
unfinished comment afterwards. The “Extreme Interactive Mode” provides
yellow technical text comments above the picture frame, a more anecdotal white
text commentary beneath the picture frame, and frequent animated arrows and
whatnot to point out objects the text comments refer too. When the
“Cyberdine” logo appears on the upper right corner of the screen, press the
enter button on your remote to get access to behind-the-scenes clips and unused
scenes like the “Future Coda” sequence. The animated interactive menus are
beautifully rendered on both discs. If you leave them menu on disc one static,
eventually a T800 endoskeleton will appear on screen to see what you are up to.
The
second disc features a new documentary entitled “No Feat But What We Make,”
which covers the role “T2” had in the evolution of digital effects featuring
new interview clips with James Cameron, Stan Winston, Peter Jackson, Dennis
Muren as well as other technical staff at ILM. Some of the interview clips with
ILM staff members were recorded back in 1993 for the “T2: Special Edition”
laserdisc. The documentary briefly references the evolution of digital effects
with clips from “Tron” and “The Last Starfighter” as well as “The
Abyss” and also mentions how digital technology pioneered for “T2” had an
impact that enabled films like “Jurassic Park” and “The Lord Of The
Rings” film trilogy to actually come to fruition with a combination of
digital, matte, practical, miniature, makeup, and live action effects unified to
create fantastic worlds on the screen. A
montage of mostly on set footage (8:23) is also included. Highlight the box on
the lower left hand corner and click enter on your remote and viewers will see a
trailer for “Artisan Home Entertainment’s “Terminator 2: Judgment Day:
Ultimate Edition” DVD (2:02), which I see as further proof that the “Extreme
DVD Edition” as truly a companion and not a replacement for the “Ultimate
Edition.”
The
remaining features in this set are on disc two and they require a high end PC
with Windows XP and a DVD-ROM drive to fully appreciate. In fact I just bought a
new Pentium 4 PC a few months ago and I was shocked that although I was able to
enjoy the Windows Media File High Definition version of Artisan Home
Entertainment’s “Standing In The Shadow Of Motown,” I could not view the
High Definition theatrical cut of “T2” included on disc two as a Windows
Media file. The requirements for playing this file include at least 512mb of
RAM, a 3 GHz processor, and a recommended display resolution of at least 1600 by
1200, 1920 by 1080 or higher recommended. So I cannot state how the quality of
the film looks like within this feature, because I simply could not get my PC to
run it correctly. I hope future HD DVD-ROM files Artisan and other DVD
distributors will take into account that not everyone has a 3Ghz PC with 1920 by
1080 or higher graphics running. I think most people run closer to 1280 or less.
The
other DVD-ROM features did work. Basically users can import images and create
their own T800 or morph an image into a T1000 on their monitors. There’s also
a feature that allows you to create and test your fighting machines online, but
the Infiltration Unit Simulator does not require an Internet connection to work
though once you load the InterActual® enhanced software, you will have register
it online before one can view the HD DVD Windows file and whatnot.
Be
careful when removing the metal sleeve the keep case comes inside of. The fit is
so tight that it is easy for the plastic covering to get ripped. Once I got mine
out successfully, I left it out.
Aside
from that caveat and my complaint regarding the HD DVD-ROM Windows Media File
version of the theatrical cut of “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” I think the
“Extreme DVD Edition” is a nice bonus worth buying only for the improved
picture transfer and the James Cameron and William Wisher audio commentary. It
definitely does not beat the “Ultimate Edition” in terms of extra features,
but regardless it is well worth checking out. “Terminator 2: Judgment Day:
Extreme DVD Edition” is available now at retailers on and offline from Artisan
Home Entertainment.
©
Copyright 2003 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.
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T2 - Extreme DVD