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Introduction

Duh duh, duh duh duh
Duh duh, duh duh duh

So goes the iconic drum pattern from Terminator 2. And it's likely that you've heard it a few times, as you've probably got a copy of this in some format. Most likely Terminator 2 : The Ultimate Edition DVD, one of the most hyped (yet living up to that hype) DVDs of all time. If you've not been around the DVD scene all that long, you'll probably have missed all of the hype surrounding that DVD, the problems coping with demand, the "I want 2xDVD-9s not a DVD-18" messages appearing all over the world.



I ordered it from Amazon US as soon as it was announced, as I wanted to own this great action film for the first time. As soon as the package arrived, you could tell that the DVD was something special. It arrived in different packaging, and it weighed a lot for a DVD. The aluminium case looked good on the shelf.

Until the DVD, I`d never owned a copy of T2 - I saw it at the cinema on the first day of release, and was blown away. This Blu-ray combines all of the good stuff from that DVD with new stuff.

Video and Audio

The visuals on this Blu-ray disc are even more stunning than the DVD release (as you would have hoped). One or two of the special effects do look a bit dated by today`s standards, but most still look excellent.

The film itself is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen and is excellent. A very crisp transfer, deep blacks, wonderful clarity and no evidence of artefacts or compression problems.

Definitely reference quality visuals.



[The pictures contained in this review are for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect the image quality of the disc]

Like the DVD before it, the DTS-HD Master Audio on this Blu-ray makes a great reference disk for sound and will be good for showing off Blu-ray to your mates. From the purring of the motorbike in the early scenes, to explosions, gun battles and more, this is a stunning soundstage reproduced in the comfort of your own home. Yet another example of the film sounding better at home than it did in the cinema. Play it loud and blow yourself away.

Extra Features

Again, like the DVD before it, it`s stuffed to the gills with extra material.

Documentaries, commentaries, 8 picture-in-picture modes. Behind the scenes clips. Text commentaries. Storyboard-script mode (view storyboards and read the script while watching the film). Interactive quizzes and games. It's also BD-Live enabled, featuring games, extra content and more for Internet-connected Blu-ray players.



An abundance of features and it will take you hours to get through it all. You may never achieve that feat!

Conclusion

You`ve probably got the picture by now, this really is the ultimate Terminator 2 release. Stunning picture, stunning sound, loads of extras.

The film itself is still as good as it was all those years ago. Sure there are plot holes, yes there are a few deficiencies in it, but there are many memorable scenes. The scene in the park when the nuclear blast hits has been burned on my brain since the day I first saw it, very powerful.

If you liked the film, you really must own this disc. And yes, you have to replace your DVD version with this one, because it looks and sounds so good. Blu-ray brilliance.