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

[Brian81]

Originally Posted by I KEEL YOU

I still don't know how the first Australian release looks like.

Knowing Studio Canal, I'd guess it to be identical to the original UK release. It was this way for the Australian HD DVD of T2. It is identical to the UK HD DVD of T2.

I'd like the Australian release since I like the cover better than the original UK release. I want to pick up the Extended Cut on BD but do not want any part with the Skynet Editions.

[Brian81]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

For the theatrical cut only.

True.

[Cevolution]

Originally Posted by Brian81

Knowing Studio Canal, I'd guess it to be identical to the original UK release. It was this way for the Australian HD DVD of T2. It is identical to the UK HD DVD of T2.

I'd like the Australian release since I like the cover better than the original UK release. I want to pick up the Extended Cut on BD but do not want any part with the Skynet Editions.

Right you are, the first Australian release is the same disc as the original UK release, this has been mentioned many times before, often to the same members. It's almost as if they won't believe it until they see screen caps.

[djchaseb]

Recently tried to order the first UK version but instead they shipped the Skynet Edition. The original UK version isn't sold by amazon UK anymore.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by MisterXDTV

The transfer for this movie has been the same since 2003 when Artisan released the "Extreme DVD": it's an outdated 1080p telecine that is no longer good by today's standards.

All the existing HD-DVDs and Blu-rays (and even Disc 2 of the DVD version, WMV-HD) come from that same (old) transfer.

Until there's a proper remaster from a new scan, keep what you have and save your money!

This comes from the Extreme DVD Manual and explains why this transfer has stretching problems and is not good anymore 11 years later...

I remember that DVD well. Good catch re: the stretching. Sure, what we see on those various editions is nothing like what was mastered, i.e. it's stretched from top to bottom on the master, but once it's supplied to the vendors it's up to them to squeeze it back down to the correct proportions. Some got it right, some didn't.

The 25th Anniversary of T2 isn't too far away, and surely Lionsgate/StudioCanal/whoever aren't going to miss out an opportunity for another dip. Give it a Titanic-style 4K remaster (with Lowry's involvement this time!) and maybe even a 3D makeover and I'll gladly buy it for....lemme see here.....the 20th time (across 6 formats). Hey, it'll be my own T2 anniversary!

[MisterXDTV]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

I remember that DVD well. Good catch re: the stretching. Sure, what we see on those various editions is nothing like what was mastered, i.e. it's stretched from top to bottom on the master, but once it's supplied to the vendors it's up to them to squeeze it back down to the correct proportions. Some got it right, some didn't.

That's exactly what I meant...

2016 seems so far away though....

This great article explains the big differences between a telecine and a scan (regardless of resolution)

http://www.lasergraphics.com/telecine-vs-scanning.html

[Brian81]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

I remember that DVD well. Good catch re: the stretching. Sure, what we see on those various editions is nothing like what was mastered, i.e. it's stretched from top to bottom on the master, but once it's supplied to the vendors it's up to them to squeeze it back down to the correct proportions. Some got it right, some didn't.

The 25th Anniversary of T2 isn't too far away, and surely Lionsgate/StudioCanal/whoever aren't going to miss out an opportunity for another dip. Give it a Titanic-style 4K remaster (with Lowry's involvement this time!) and maybe even a 3D makeover and I'll gladly buy it for....lemme see here.....the 20th time (across 6 formats). Hey, it'll be my own T2 anniversary!

I'm just worried about color timing revisionism. The original CAV LD boxed set came with a signed letter from James Cameron (facsimile) stating that he personally oversaw the preparation work for the release and that it looks just like how it's supposed to look. I don't believe that the lesser colors in NTSC really matter - the general look will still be the same. If 'Terminator 2 remastered BD edition of the future' looks different, then it would be a clear case of revisionism based on Cameron's modern aesthetic tastes.

[tama]

Originally Posted by nagysaudio

Here's the deal:

All versions use the same DVD era dusty transfer with baked in EE, etc.

Original U.S. release is worthless. It has MPEG-2 encode. Lossy soundtrack. No extras, or alternate cuts. Skip it.

The UK release is also worthless even though it has an AVC encode and lossless sound. It's only the inferior extended cut. James Cameron's preferred and director's cut is the theatrical version as per Cameron himself. Skip it.

The JP release has the theatrical cut with an AVC encode and lossless sound. However, it has not been cleaned up, it's very expensive, and there are issued with the image being ever so slightly stretched. The encode is not the best either. Hardly a difference between the first U.S. MPEG-2 effort. Final nail in the coffin is the insanely expensive price, which makes it completely unworthy. Skip it.

And lastly we have the U.S. Skynet release. All three versions of the movie are present. It has the best encode by a mile. It has the best lossless sound. The image has no geometry problems. The entire transfer has been cleaned up from print damage, scratches, specs, etc. by Lowry. There are tons of extras on the disc. But... And it's a big but. The image has been moderately DNRed. Which sucks no doubt. Having said that and regardless of this unfortunate tinkering, this is still the best, most correct, and fullest presentation of Terminator 2: Judgment Day available on home video. This makes it a no brainer that the Skynet is the version to buy on Blu-ray currently, especially since it's dirt cheap. Buy it.

Lowry has been working on a new 4K scan from OCN which Cameron is still contemplating on converting to 3D. Whatever happens, we will be getting a definitive version of Terminator 2 in the near future. How near is relative. Cameron is busy, so it may be a number of years.

Where does he come up with this stuff?

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by MisterXDTV

That's exactly what I meant...

2016 seems so far away though....

This great article explains the big differences between a telecine and a scan (regardless of resolution)

http://www.lasergraphics.com/telecine-vs-scanning.html

Pin registration is the key thing IMO, it's much more stable. And that stability is what's permitted the widespread use of original negatives to be used for transfer, because telecine puts more physical stress on the film and no-one would want to be responsible for damaging the o-neg of whatever film. (Back in the day, whenever a transfer claimed to have been done from the original negative, what they usually did was to strike a brand new IP and use that.)

Still, I'll take an old telecine with minimal digital tinkering versus a brand new scan that's been DNR'ed to hell and back. *cough* Predator *cough*

Originally Posted by Brian81

I'm just worried about color timing revisionism. The original CAV LD boxed set came with a signed letter from James Cameron (facsimile) stating that he personally oversaw the preparation work for the release and that it looks just like how it's supposed to look. I don't believe that the lesser colors in NTSC really matter - the general look will still be the same. If 'Terminator 2 remastered BD edition of the future' looks different, then it would be a clear case of revisionism based on Cameron's modern aesthetic tastes.

Be prepared for T2's steely blue lighting to be Tealtanic'd. You know it's gonna happen. I for one welcome our new teal overlords.

[nagysaudio]

Originally Posted by tama

Where does he come up with this stuff?

Come up with what? getting a little tired of your insults. Will start reporting.

[Thieves Dont]

If they do remaster it, I hope they release the director's cut. Always preferred that to the theatrical version. Answers a lot of questions and explains a few things much better, particularly with the T-800's "learning computer" chip reset.

[nagysaudio]

Originally Posted by Thieves Dont

If they do remaster it, I hope they release the director's cut. Always preferred that to the theatrical version. Answers a lot of questions and explains a few things much better, particularly with the T-800's "learning computer" chip reset.

The theatrical cut is the director's cut per Cameron himself.

[Thieves Dont]

Originally Posted by nagysaudio

The theatrical cut is the director's cut per Cameron himself.

Okay, well then "the extended" edition or special edition. I prefer it to the theatrical version.

[Thomas Guycott]

Originally Posted by Thieves Dont

If they do remaster it, I hope they release the director's cut. Always preferred that to the theatrical version. Answers a lot of questions and explains a few things much better, particularly with the T-800's "learning computer" chip reset.

This one plot point changes a major theme running through the whole movie and it baffles me why such an elaborate, important scene was cut from the theatrical version.

That and the T-1000's mimetic glitches during the finale, or specifically cutting out all except for one, so it has no context.

[JimDiGriz]

Originally Posted by djchaseb

Recently tried to order the first UK version but instead they shipped the Skynet Edition. The original UK version isn't sold by amazon UK anymore.

I saw it in an HMV shop a week ago for £8. Was tempted but I already had it.

[JimDiGriz]

Originally Posted by Thieves Dont

Okay, well then "the extended" edition or special edition. I prefer it to the theatrical version.

Yep me too. I dont know anyone who prefers the shorter theatrical cut - I never watch it anyway.

[Gieferg]

I think i prefer theatrical, maybe it has something to do with the fact, that I've watched it 20+ times on vhs, and additional scenes are not that great anyway.

[TylerDurden389]

Sorry to be a negative nancy here guys, but for me the film is too long either way you put it. I did a quick fan edit of the film once and got it down to exactly 2 hours (with credits) without losing anything important (using the theatrical version).

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Thomas Guycott

This one plot point changes a major theme running through the whole movie and it baffles me why such an elaborate, important scene was cut from the theatrical version.

That and the T-1000's mimetic glitches during the finale, or specifically cutting out all except for one, so it has no context.

I dunno, the T-1000 has just been frozen and blown apart, there's hardly no context for that one glitch that's left. The extended scenes just belabour that point though, and whenever people say "but how does John know that's not his Mum without the glitching?" I simply reply with what I've always assumed: he knows that Sarah isn't a simpering wet blanket, no matter how beat up she is.

As for the chip scene, I wish it was still in the film just because of how brilliant a feat of filmmaking it is, using doubles (literally in Linda's case!) and an Arnie dummy in front of a fake 'mirror'. It's utterly seamless, and if I could have that one scene put back in I would. But if I gotta have all the other crap with it, I'd rather have the pacier theatrical version (kinda like the sentry guns in the Aliens SE).

[The Rider]

I read for years rumors about a new 4K transfer and a planned 3D conversation.


Have everyone further informations about this ?