...a milestone in the evolution of action films and their now-omnipresent computer-generated imagery.
Video:
If there are any flaws in the video quality of this HD-DVD, I missed them. The picture displays no noise, lines, flecks, fades, scratches, or grit that I could see. What little grain that shows up is undoubtedly inherent to the original print. Definition is as good as on any high-definition disc I've seen, and colors in daylight scenes are as natural as you'll find, although a trifle light at times. If I had to comment on any issue at all, it might be that in some shots, the picture doesn't look as bright or the hues as deep as I expected them to be. The colors are a bit lighter than usual in an HD-DVD, yet perfectly realistic. Frankly, I'd rather have them like this than being too dark or oversaturated, which is the way a few HD-DVDs look.
By comparison to the standard-definition "Ultimate Edition DVD," the picture quality of the new HD-DVD is sharper and cleaner, as expected, but with an aspect ratio that measures just a fraction less wide. Across my television screen, with about 5% overscanning, the HD-DVD shows up at about 2.16:1 as opposed to the SD's 2.18:1. It's too small a difference to matter. Instead, it's the overall definition that counts, and here the SD version, which is very, very good, looks soft and fuzzy. Additionally, the SD version shows the same image lightness in the same few scenes that I noticed before, so like what little grain there is, it is probably also inherent to the original print.
Audio:
The Studio Canal sound engineers provide a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, which does everything one could ask of it. Cameron made "T2" a few years before multichannel sound became the ubiquitous system we know today in homes and theaters, so the filmmaker probably wasn't thinking of surround effects in the same way back then as he would today. Nevertheless, there is still plenty of rear-channel activity, especially in the big fight and chase sequences. Mainly, the audio shows its strengths in its wide frequency response (the bass thunders), its strong dynamic contrasts, its powerful dynamic punch, and the all-around tautness and clarity of its reproduction.
Again, by comparison to the SD edition, the sound of the HD-DVD is tighter, clearer, more dynamic, and seemingly more ambient. The HD soundtrack is also several decibels louder, so during comparisons I had to readjust the output levels. Even so, it was no contest. The HD-DVD is the obvious winner in every category.
Extras:
Disc one of this two-disc set contains the HD theatrical version of the movie, and here's the bad part about it: If you want it in English, you have to put up with French subtitles that you cannot remove. I know; it's goofy. Why Studio Canal chose to do this I have no idea, and for me it renders the theatrical version practically useless because I find these meaningless subtitles distracting. Fortunately, the Director's Cut on the second disc presents no such concern, so just figure that you're getting the theatrical version (French subtitles and all) as a freebie. The Director's Cut is all I figured I was getting in the first place, so it's "no problemo." English and French are the spoken languages involved, with French, Dutch, and German subtitles, and twelve scene selections.
Disc two contains the HD Director's Cut of the movie. English is the only spoken language, with Dutch, French, and German subtitles. Again, despite the added minutes, there are twelve scene selections.
Both discs contain a widescreen, high-definition promo trailer for various Studio Canal HD-DVDs, including this one; video and audio configuration guides; and optional on-screen information. The two discs come packaged in what looks from the outside like a regular Elite Red HD case, but on the inside has spindles on the walls for two discs, facing each other. Since there is no chapter insert involved, it works out fine.
Parting Thoughts:
Without question, "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" is the best of its breed. It is a milestone in the evolution of action films and their now-omnipresent computer-generated imagery. Needless to say, in HD-DVD "T2" looks and sounds better than ever, and it surpasses any previous incarnation of it I've experienced for the home.
"The unknown future rolls towards us. I face it for the first time with a sense of hope. Because if a machine, a Terminator, can learn the value of human life, maybe we can, too." --Linda Hamilton, "T2"
If there are any flaws in the video quality of this HD-DVD, I missed them. The picture displays no noise, lines, flecks, fades, scratches, or grit that I could see. What little grain that shows up is undoubtedly inherent to the original print. Definition is as good as on any high-definition disc I've seen, and colors in daylight scenes are as natural as you'll find, although a trifle light at times. If I had to comment on any issue at all, it might be that in some shots, the picture doesn't look as bright or the hues as deep as I expected them to be. The colors are a bit lighter than usual in an HD-DVD, yet perfectly realistic. Frankly, I'd rather have them like this than being too dark or oversaturated, which is the way a few HD-DVDs look.
By comparison to the standard-definition "Ultimate Edition DVD," the picture quality of the new HD-DVD is sharper and cleaner, as expected, but with an aspect ratio that measures just a fraction less wide. Across my television screen, with about 5% overscanning, the HD-DVD shows up at about 2.16:1 as opposed to the SD's 2.18:1. It's too small a difference to matter. Instead, it's the overall definition that counts, and here the SD version, which is very, very good, looks soft and fuzzy. Additionally, the SD version shows the same image lightness in the same few scenes that I noticed before, so like what little grain there is, it is probably also inherent to the original print.
Audio:
The Studio Canal sound engineers provide a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, which does everything one could ask of it. Cameron made "T2" a few years before multichannel sound became the ubiquitous system we know today in homes and theaters, so the filmmaker probably wasn't thinking of surround effects in the same way back then as he would today. Nevertheless, there is still plenty of rear-channel activity, especially in the big fight and chase sequences. Mainly, the audio shows its strengths in its wide frequency response (the bass thunders), its strong dynamic contrasts, its powerful dynamic punch, and the all-around tautness and clarity of its reproduction.
Again, by comparison to the SD edition, the sound of the HD-DVD is tighter, clearer, more dynamic, and seemingly more ambient. The HD soundtrack is also several decibels louder, so during comparisons I had to readjust the output levels. Even so, it was no contest. The HD-DVD is the obvious winner in every category.
Extras:
Disc one of this two-disc set contains the HD theatrical version of the movie, and here's the bad part about it: If you want it in English, you have to put up with French subtitles that you cannot remove. I know; it's goofy. Why Studio Canal chose to do this I have no idea, and for me it renders the theatrical version practically useless because I find these meaningless subtitles distracting. Fortunately, the Director's Cut on the second disc presents no such concern, so just figure that you're getting the theatrical version (French subtitles and all) as a freebie. The Director's Cut is all I figured I was getting in the first place, so it's "no problemo." English and French are the spoken languages involved, with French, Dutch, and German subtitles, and twelve scene selections.
Disc two contains the HD Director's Cut of the movie. English is the only spoken language, with Dutch, French, and German subtitles. Again, despite the added minutes, there are twelve scene selections.
Both discs contain a widescreen, high-definition promo trailer for various Studio Canal HD-DVDs, including this one; video and audio configuration guides; and optional on-screen information. The two discs come packaged in what looks from the outside like a regular Elite Red HD case, but on the inside has spindles on the walls for two discs, facing each other. Since there is no chapter insert involved, it works out fine.
Parting Thoughts:
Without question, "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" is the best of its breed. It is a milestone in the evolution of action films and their now-omnipresent computer-generated imagery. Needless to say, in HD-DVD "T2" looks and sounds better than ever, and it surpasses any previous incarnation of it I've experienced for the home.
"The unknown future rolls towards us. I face it for the first time with a sense of hope. Because if a machine, a Terminator, can learn the value of human life, maybe we can, too." --Linda Hamilton, "T2"
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[release]21367[/release]