Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) (Skynet Edition)

[jag2007]

A few weeks ago I rented the 1st release at blockuster. I'st time my 8 year old had seen the movie. I bought the skynet version and watched it last night, I thought it was a better version than the 1st release. We both enjoyed this version, especially the DTS-HDMA It was worth the purchase. Ist time I bought it on any video medium

[RiseDarthVader]

Originally Posted by dvdvision

PS : Skynet IS Cameron approved remaster...

Not exactly while this transfer is approved for the DVD release it isn't quote up to scratch for Blu-ray. So the Skynet edition is the Cameron's approved DVD transfer with some DNR and contrast boosting applied. There will definitely be a re-release in the future with Cameron's approved Blu-ray transfer and colour timing. I am going to wait out for that one and the remastered edition of The Terminator that's waiting for Cameron's approval.

[Kryptonic]

I broke down and picked this up yesterday and sampled it. Firstly, it loaded quicker than expected on my Magnavox. No problems at all. And secondly the PQ seemed fine to me. I noticed the lack of grain, but still felt there was a healthy amount of detail. Honestly though, the movie's always going to look soft, given that it was shot in Super35. Applying DNR to a 18 year old Super35 film is somewhat necessary, otherwise the grain would overtake the image. The sound is awesome. I've watched this movie countless times, to the point where the sound effects almost play like music. I know where particular sounds happen in succession and where they happen in the soundfiend and yet...I was hearing new sounds with this new master and that was very neat. It brought a freshness to the movie.

[Bluyoda]

Originally Posted by RiseDarthVader

Not exactly while this transfer is approved for the DVD release it isn't quote up to scratch for Blu-ray. So the Skynet edition is the Cameron's approved DVD transfer with some DNR and contrast boosting applied. There will definitely be a re-release in the future with Cameron's approved Blu-ray transfer and colour timing. I am going to wait out for that one and the remastered edition of The Terminator that's waiting for Cameron's approval.

Good idea! This transfer is pretty bad.

Here is my little review:

What a disappointment!

The movie is OK, besides some horrible dialogue. If you think George Lucas writes bad dialogue, than James Cameron's dialogue will make you wanna commit suicide.

The BD is a huge disappointment for me:

1. Contrast is WAY too hot= terrible blown-out whites, which cause severe highlight clipping.

2. Unresolved black levels= lacks punch and makes the picture look fuzzy.

3. Heavy use of DNR= Waxy faces, objects and grain turned into video noise= awful

There are no bandings, however I caught some macroblocking in a few shots, but it's minor.

Detail is ok, but the DNR destroys a lot of its potential.
Colors are also lacking due to the weak black levels, and the extremely hot contrast.

All in all, this is the worst feature film BD in my collection now. Even worse than the highlight clipping in Leon:The Professional.

AQ: Quite good, but too quiet in some scenes. Nothing that will blow you away, but good for a catalog title.

Extras: As far as I remember, the Ultimate DVD Edition had tons of extras, which are nowhere to be found on this disc, except for some bits, it does have a director's commentary track though.

I'd say, wait for the next remastered edition, for this one is really average.

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

I broke down and picked this up yesterday and sampled it. Firstly, it loaded quicker than expected on my Magnavox. No problems at all. And secondly the PQ seemed fine to me. I noticed the lack of grain, but still felt there was a healthy amount of detail. Honestly though, the movie's always going to look soft, given that it was shot in Super35. Applying DNR to a 18 year old Super35 film is somewhat necessary, otherwise the grain would overtake the image. The sound is awesome. I've watched this movie countless times, to the point where the sound effects almost play like music. I know where particular sounds happen in succession and where they happen in the soundfiend and yet...I was hearing new sounds with this new master and that was very neat. It brought a freshness to the movie.

Anakin, you are breaking my heart!!! Oh, sorry, wrong movie!

I think I'd like it better without the horrible DNR, or weak black levels, or terribly boosted contrast.

[guitardave]

Originally Posted by Bluyoda

All in all, this is the worst feature film BD in my collection now.

I take it you've never seen Predator on blu-ray?...


I was really pleased with the Skynet Terminator 2 blu-ray. It is by far the best I have ever seen the film. Seeing Linda Hamilton in the desert scene in her black vest... How could anyone say that the image lacks clarity?! You can see every detail on her awesome arms and shoulders!

Seriously, if you've only ever seen T2 on VHS or DVD, this blu-ray is a big improvement. Well worth a purchase in my opinion.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by guitardave

I take it you've never seen Predator on blu-ray?...

The new release? Yeah, it's a DNRed mess too.

[BouCoupDinkyDau]

Originally Posted by Bluyoda

If you think George Lucas writes bad dialogue, than James Cameron's dialogue will make you wanna commit suicide.

Uh, no--sorry. While some of JC's dialogue is indeed cheese, it still works for the most part. However, the Flannel Man must lock himself in his room and never come out, because he has absolutely no idea how people really talk. I've had intrusive medical procedures done to me that were more comfortable than listening to Lucas's dialogue.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by BouCoupDinkyDau

I've had intrusive medical procedures done to me that were more comfortable than listening to Lucas's dialogue.

"You're breaking my heart."

[KingLeonidas300]

Originally Posted by RiseDarthVader

Not exactly while this transfer is approved for the DVD release it isn't quote up to scratch for Blu-ray. So the Skynet edition is the Cameron's approved DVD transfer with some DNR and contrast boosting applied. There will definitely be a re-release in the future with Cameron's approved Blu-ray transfer and colour timing. I am going to wait out for that one and the remastered edition of The Terminator that's waiting for Cameron's approval.

I just got the skynet edition for $10, I had no idea there was going to be another re-release of T2. I have been waiting on the T1 to be re-released since the first print wasn't that good.

[Marcus Wright]

I have had this movie on VHS. DVD. DVD again, and Blu ray.
I see no reason to not by current Skynet edition for a later double, triple, quadriple dip if available because T2 is my all time favorite movie.

The solution is that simple for me.

[guitardave]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

The new release? Yeah, it's a DNRed mess too.

Not seen that version, I got the first version on blu-ray and that's pretty crappy, although obviously better than the dvd.

Maybe the problem is that we've all seen films from 2005 onwards on blu-ray, and of course they look fantastic because they were filmed with an HD release in mind. So it's probably unfair to expect older films to look as good as newer ones when they weren't filmed with HD in mind, as it hadn't even been invented! Back in the day film-makers were making films for crappy projection screens in cinema's and even crappier VHS for a home release - hardly motivation to film everything "perfectly" as in todays films. That being said, I have seen some excellent older films on blu-ray in terms of picture quality - Halloween and 2001:A Space Odyssey spring to mind.

[dallywhitty]

Originally Posted by guitardave

Not seen that version, I got the first version on blu-ray and that's pretty crappy, although obviously better than the dvd.

Maybe the problem is that we've all seen films from 2005 onwards on blu-ray, and of course they look fantastic because they were filmed with an HD release in mind. So it's probably unfair to expect older films to look as good as newer ones when they weren't filmed with HD in mind, as it hadn't even been invented! Back in the day film-makers were making films for crappy projection screens in cinema's and even crappier VHS for a home release - hardly motivation to film everything "perfectly" as in todays films. That being said, I have seen some excellent older films on blu-ray in terms of picture quality - Halloween and 2001:A Space Odyssey spring to mind.

You do realise 1080p HD is a lower resolution than film, right?

[guitardave]

Yeah, yeah, I've read all about that...
But... to my eyes, a 1080p blu-ray on my 42" LCD looks sharper and more colourful than a film in a cinema. And I know that it's just down to screen size, and LCD vs Projection, and that a film is a "higher resolution" than 1080p. It's just my opinion (and my girlfriend's too, which is why we never bother with the cinema any more!) that blu-ray looks better.

But let's not go round in circles with that old debate again...

Anyway... my point wasn't about resolution per se, it was about modern films being made on superior equipment, and that directors know full well that their works are going to be sold on blu-ray in HD. Not like the old days with VHS and square tv's where ultimate image quality didn't count for so much.

[Deviation]

Originally Posted by guitardave

Not seen that version, I got the first version on blu-ray and that's pretty crappy, although obviously better than the dvd.

The original BD release of Predator looks great. About as good as that movie can even look. Really enjoy watching that one on a 92" screen.

[Bluyoda]

Originally Posted by guitardave

I take it you've never seen Predator on blu-ray?...


I was really pleased with the Skynet Terminator 2 blu-ray. It is by far the best I have ever seen the film. Seeing Linda Hamilton in the desert scene in her black vest... How could anyone say that the image lacks clarity?! You can see every detail on her awesome arms and shoulders!

Seriously, if you've only ever seen T2 on VHS or DVD, this blu-ray is a big improvement. Well worth a purchase in my opinion.

No, I haven't.

I agree that the desert scene and some others have great detail, but the blown-out whites destroyed it for me. The highlight clipping is something I can't stand. It makes film look like a cheap digital compact camera photo!

I use to own the Ultimate Edition DVD, and remember it being grainy, but I didn't notice the super hot contrast. Perhaps back then I wasn't sensitive to these sort of things, so it seemed better.

Did the theatrical release have those blown out whites???

The very inconsistent black levels are another issue that was disappointing!

And finally the DNR, which was pretty distracting for me. (I was sitting a mere 2.5m away from my 50 inch Kuro screen, so maybe it's less noticeable from greater distance.

I am glad you enjoyed it though.

I hope they will give this a proper release ala Gladiator...

[masob98]

Im planning on picking this up soon. I was just wondering if they included the Guns 'n' Roses video "You could be mine" on the extras? Im getting the blu for sure, but this just popped in my head so I thought I would ask.

[Blu-ray Fanatic]

Originally Posted by masob98

Im planning on picking this up soon. I was just wondering if they included the Guns 'n' Roses video "You could be mine" on the extras? Im getting the blu for sure, but this just popped in my head so I thought I would ask.

If I can remember, I think it does have the Guns N Roses music video. The skynet edition is worth picking up because of the improved video and audio transfer.

[Amazing808s]

Originally Posted by masob98

Im planning on picking this up soon. I was just wondering if they included the Guns 'n' Roses video "You could be mine" on the extras? Im getting the blu for sure, but this just popped in my head so I thought I would ask.

I don't remember it having any music videos.

[masob98]

Originally Posted by Blu-ray Fanatic

If I can remember, I think it does have the Guns N Roses music video. The skynet edition is worth picking up because of the improved video and audio transfer.

Thanks for the info. I was gonna get it no matter if it had the video or not. But if it does have it, that is just icing on the cake. I love the song and video.

[Lyle_JP]

Originally Posted by masob98

Thanks for the info. I was gonna get it no matter if it had the video or not. But if it does have it, that is just icing on the cake. I love the song and video.

I don't think any video release except the Pioneer Special Edition laserdisc from 1993 has that music video.