TERMINATOR 2: Judgement Day 3D

TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY 3D [1991 / 2017] [3D Blu-ray + 2D Blu-ray] [UK Release]
The Greatest Action Blockbuster of All Time! An Absolute Five-Star Classic!

James Cameron's epic action, sci-fi masterpiece starring Schwarzenegger in his most iconic role, has been stunningly restored by James Cameron himself. First hitting our screens in 1991 with ground-breaking special effects, this version will take the seminal blockbuster to the next level of effects and into the 21st century for a new generation of fans.

It has been 10 years since the events of the first ‘The Terminator’ film. Sarah Connor's ordeal is only just beginning as she struggles to protect her son John Connor, the future leader of the human resistance against the machines, from a new even more nastier Terminator T-1000, who is sent back in time to eliminate John Connor while he is still a child. Sarah Connor and John Connor don't have to face this terrifying threat alone however. The human resistance have managed to send them an ally, a warrior from the future ordered to protect John Connor at any cost. The battle for tomorrow has begun . . .

FILM FACT: Awards and Nominations: 1991 British Society of Cinematographers: Nomination: Best Cinematography Award for Adam Greenberg. 1992 Academy Awards®: Win: Best Sound for Gary Rydstrom, Gary Summers, Lee Orloff and Tom Johnson. Win: Best Effects and Sound Effects Editing for Gary Rydstrom and Gloria S. Borders. Win: Best Effects and Visual Effects for Dennis Muren, Gene Warren Jr., Robert Skotak and Stan Winston. Win: Best Makeup for Jeff Dawn and Stan Winston. Nomination: Best Cinematography for Adam Greenberg. Nomination: Best Film Editing for Conrad Buff IV, Mark Goldblatt and Richard A. Harris. 1992 BAFTA® Awards: Win: Best Sound for Gary Rydstrom, Gary Summers, Lee Orloff and Tom Johnson. Win: Best Special Visual Effects for Dennis Muren, Gene Warren Jr., Robert Skotak and Stan Winston. Nomination: Best Production Design for Joseph C. Nemec III. 1992 Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA: Win: Best Science Fiction Film. Win: Best Actress for Linda Hamilton. Win: Best Performance by a Younger Actor for Edward Furlong. Win: Best Director for James Cameron. Win: Best Special Effects for 4-Ward Productions, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and Stan Winston. Nomination: Best Actor for Arnold Schwarzenegger. Nomination: Best Supporting Actor for Robert Patrick. Nomination: Best Writing for James Cameron and William Wisher. Nomination: Best Make-Up for Jeff Dawn and Stan Winston. 1992 American Society of Cinematographers, USA: Nomination: Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases for Adam Greenberg. 1994 Guinness World Record Award: Win: Most Oscars won for visual effects for Dennis Muren [For The Abyss, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Innerspace].

Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong (Young John Connor), Michael Edwards (Old John Connor), Robert Patrick, Michael Biehn, Earl Boen, Joe Morton, S. Epatha Merkerson, Castulo Guerra, Danny Cooksey, Jenette Goldstein, Xander Berkeley, Leslie Hamilton Gearren, Ken Gibbel, Robert Winley, Peter Schrum, Shane Wilder, Jared Lounsbery, Casey Chavez, Ennalls Berl, Don Lake, Richard Vidan, Tom McDonald, Jim Palmer, Gerard G. Williams, Gwenda Deacon, Don Stanton, Dan Stanton, Colin Patrick Lynch, Noel Evangelisti, Nikki Cox, Lisa Brinegar, DeVaughn Nixon, Tony Simotes, Diane Rodriguez, Dalton Abbott, Ron Young, Charles Robert Brown, Abdul Salaam El Razzac, Mike Muscat, Dean Norris, Charles A. Tamburro, J. Rob Jordan, Terrence Evans, Denney Pierce, Mark Christopher Lawrence, Pat Kouri, Van Ling, Michael Albanese (uncredited), Ed Arneson (uncredited), Bret A. Arnold (uncredited), Debra Casey (uncredited), Jim Dahl (uncredited), Martin DeLuca (uncredited), Jennifer Jacono (uncredited), Gavin Kelly (uncredited), Takao Komine (uncredited), Joel Kramer (uncredited), Anne Merrem (uncredited), Richard Ruskin (uncredited), Scott Shaw (uncredited), Steven Stear (uncredited), Sven-Ole Thorsen (uncredited), Randy Walker (uncredited) and William Wisher (uncredited)

Director: James Cameron

Producers: B.J. Rack, Gale Anne Hurd, James Cameron, Mario Kassar, and Stephanie Austin

Screenplay: James Cameron and William Wisher

Composer: Brad Fiedel

Cinematography: Adam Greenberg, A.S.C. (Director of Photography)

Special Makeup and Terminator Effects: Stan Winston Studio

Image Resolution: 1080p (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1

Audio: English: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
French: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio,
Germany: 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
English: 2.0 Audio Descriptive Service
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio

Subtitles: English, French and German

Running Time: 137 minutes, 153 minutes and 155 minutes

Region: Region B/2

Number of discs: 2

Studio: TriStar Pictures / STUDIOCANAL

Andrew's Blu-ray Review: Arnold Schwarzenegger returns as the Terminator in this explosive action-adventure spectacle. Now he is one of the good guys, sent back in time to protect John Connor, the boy destined to lead the freedom fighters of the future. Linda Hamilton reprises her role as Sarah Connor, John Connor's mother; a quintessential survivor who has been institutionalized for her warning of the nuclear holocaust she knows is inevitable. Together, the threesome must find a way to stop the ultimate enemy the T-1000, the most lethal Terminator ever created. Co-written, produced and directed by James Cameron, this visual tour de force is also a touching human story of survival.

People ask is ‘TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY’ really the greatest sequel ever? I know 'T2' has many, many fans who rate this higher than the 1984's cult sleeper hit 'The Terminator,' and I would never try to persuade them otherwise, and some critics say 'T2' does not work quite as well as the original, and that is because the first ‘Terminator’ film is a very different beasts, but I disagree and this film ‘TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY’ complements each other 100%. 'T2' isn't a remake or even a reimagining; instead it pumps up the best qualities of the first 'The Terminator' film and grafts them onto a family drama, adding fable-like qualities and it works 100%.

Director James Cameron wisely doesn't try to revert back to his main characters, especially Linda Hamilton playing Sarah Connor, and of course the Terminator is back to the state where we last left them at the end of the first film, as most sequels-slash-remakes would. Rather, he turns Sarah into a nut-job who has effectively abandoned her son and turned herself into the martyr to end all martyrs, allowing the story to expand naturally into new directions. But even better, James Cameron inverts the Terminator himself and it is no secret to reveal that the mean ol' Arnie as the Terminator is all soft and cuddly in 'T2,' now the protector of the young John Connor [Edward Furlong]. So not only does that give 'T2' a great spin on the original, but it allows for the introduction of a brand-new villain, the morphing T-1000 [Robert Patrick]. Let's just say had James Cameron simply restaged the Sarah-Terminator battles from the first film only with more money, we would not still be talking about 'T2' today. 'T2' ironically, cemented its status as such an influential blockbuster film.

Quite frankly, the film's once-cutting edge CGI effects have quickly become slightly outdated. Even back in 1992, and I thought at the time the films effects coup of the “liquid metal” T-1000, looked absolutely brilliant, and the structure of the fantasy world James Cameron created we all felt was ahead of its time and the framework of the film we also all felt we could believe that a liquid metal Robot could go around and terminate people, and especially at the time I was still confused as to how his clothes and skin miraculously reappear at a moment's notice. This is still, after all, supposed to be a “realistic future” and how does the metal heat itself up and cool itself off so quickly, a lot of questions that we never really get answers to? Still I suppose we should all just sit back and enjoy the journey throughout the sci-fi fantasy film.

THE RESTORATION: The original 35mm negative was scanned and then restored in 4k at Deluxe L.A., under the supervision of Geoff Burdick from Lightstorm. The film was calibrated by James Cameron’s colourist, at Technicolor Hollywood, with the best 35mm prints. The film was then converted into 3D by Stereo D and the work lasted almost a year by to produce a high-end 3D version. This highly experienced and award-winning team had already supervised the film ‘Titanic’ and its 3D conversion and is currently working on the ‘Avatar’ sequels.

TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY MUSIC TRACK LIST

YOU COULD BE MINE (Written by Izzy Stradlin and Axl Rose) [Performed by Guns N' Roses]

BAD TO THE BONE (Written by George Thorogood) [Performed by George Thorogood and The Destroyers]

GUITAR, CADILLACS (Written by Dwight Yoakam) [Performed by Dwight Yoakam]

AND THIS ONE (uncredited) (Written by Dwight Yoakam) [Performed by Dwight Yoakam]

3D Blu-ray Image Quality – STUDIOCANAL presents us with an awesome 1080p image presentation and an equally impressive 2.40:1 aspect ratio. James Cameron's ‘TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY’ 3D arrives via this brilliant Blu-ray disc and the first thing you will notice that there is no longer any macro blocking and artefacts that plagued the previous versions. Fine detail and clarity are vastly improved as is the sharpness. Blacks look good, and flesh tones remain natural throughout. If you ever had the original release on the inferior DVD or Laserdisc, you will notice a massive improvement in a totally amazing sharpness, especially in the detail and clarity and this definitely is the best presentation ever to be released on a Blu-ray disc. Please Note: Playback Region B/2: This will not play on most Blu-ray players sold in North America, Central America, South America, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Learn more about Blu-ray region specifications.

3D Blu-ray Audio Quality – STUDIOCANAL presents us with this Blu-ray release in a few different audio experiences and you have a choice of five audio experiences that includes English: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, Germany: 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English: 2.0 Audio Descriptive Service and English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Audio Stereo and the 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio is definitely demo material and slightly confused why the German audio track is 7.1? This T2 audio presentation you have the bass is powerful and packs a huge punch during the many action set pieces. Dynamics are very impressive for a film released in 1991. There are audio effects that emanate in a 360 sound field reference audio experience that really enhances the feeling that you are right there in the fight for the future and nice subtlety ambience sounds was noticed as well. Dialogue is very clear throughout and well defined. The iconic film music score by composer Brad Fiedel sounds amazing from the opening titles and throughout the film. So all in all this is an outstanding superb 2017 presentation and it can stand on its own against a few other action film audio mixes with more recent films of the same genre.

Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:

Special Feature: 2D Theatrical Version [1991] [1080p] [2.40:1] [137:00] It informs us that it is recommended for you to watch the highest quality presentation of the film ‘TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY,’ so please select this 2D Theatrical Version and be totally amazed by what you view. I am quite angry with this 2D version, as they have still kept the following information at the start of the film that states: THIS 3D VERSION HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY STUDIOCANAL. Now to me this is a very unprofessional lazy attitude and should have been edited out.

Special Feature: 2D Special Edition Version [1991] [1080p] [2.40:1] [153:00] Here with this Special Edition Version, which runs about 16 minutes longer. Here is just a small sample of some very important new and alternate scenes you get to view: Michael Biehn as Kyle Reese appears in Sarah Connor’s cell with her, which is just a dream of course, which was deleted in the theatrical version. The orderlies are shown brutally forcing Sarah Connor to take her medication. After the T-1000 terminates John Connor’s step parents, walks out into the garden and destroys the dog and finds the dog collar and sees the dog is called MAX and realises he has been tricked by John Connor and the Terminator. We see a very dramatic conflict scene between Sarah Connors and John Connor where the chip is taken out of the Terminator’s head and Sarah Connor wants it destroyed, but John Connor stops his mother in destroying the chip and takes control of the situation, so the Terminator can carry out his duty in destroying the T-1000 Terminator. I personally like this Special Edition Version as it gives you a greater insight into all the characters in the film and it expands the story line. Once again at the start of the film you get to see the wording THIS 3D VERSION HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY STUDIOCANAL, so obviously no one even bothered to check the film before it was transferred to the 2D Blu-ray disc, and again I feel it is a totally unprofessional attitude and some very lazy person did not bother to check this out properly. PLEASE NOTE: STUDIOCANAL states just before the film starts, informs us that to bring you the best version of the film, they have used seamless branching. Accordingly you may notice variations in the picture, colour and sound quality in comparison to the Theatrical cut.

Special Feature: 2D Extended Special Edition Version [1991] [1080p] [2.40:1] [155:00] Here for third and last time we are presented with the Extended Special Edition Version, which runs about 18 minutes longer. You again get to view some of the very important new and alternate scenes I mention in the above review, but you also get to view and extra scene right at the end of the film, which gives a more optimistic ending to the film, which involved a 64-year old Sarah musing about the war which never happened as a result of their actions at the steel mill on 29th August, 1997 and that history had been changed forever. Linda Hamilton endured a six-hour makeup job sculpted by Stan Winston for the scene, and Michael Edwards returned to play a non-scarred adult John Connor playing with his granddaughter in a sunny Washington, D.C. park. The scene, although somewhat out of context to the final film as it evolved, presents an interesting theoretical and philosophical side to the film, that of alternate timelines and possible futures. Once again at the start of the film you get to see the wording THIS 3D VERSION HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY STUDIOCANAL, so obviously no one even bothered to check the film before it was transferred to the 2D Blu-ray disc, and again I feel it is a totally unprofessional attitude and some very lazy person did not bother to check this out properly. PLEASE NOTE: STUDIOCANAL states just before the film starts, informs us that to bring you the best version of the film, they have used seamless branching.  Accordingly you may notice variations in the picture, colour and sound quality in comparison to the Theatrical cut.

1993 Audio Commentary with 23 Members of Cast and Crew: With this audio commentary, it is just as interesting, especially in what you will hear with the assemblage, meaning the collection of people with this audio interview extracts, on top of all that the participants do not address directly to what they are viewing on the screen. However, with 23 members of the cast and crew of 'T2' on board and all the major players are represented, how will they succeed, that of course you will have to listen and find out? I really liked these compiled comments, everything but-the-kitchen-sink was thrown into this audio track conversation, because they were ever so very informative and no one person gets to dominate the proceedings. So of course you will now have to view the film ‘TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY’ one more time. Here we are first introduced by Van Ling [Creative Visual Effects Coordinator] to the ‘T2’ film and informs us that this audio commentary is comprised of about 26 varied audio comments, all done by the cast and crew. The first comment you hear is James Cameron [Director/Writer] and unfortunately is commenting on the 2D Special Edition Version, which of course is wrong, as we are watching the 2D Theatrical Version and feel STUDIOCANAL have not done their homework and done a professional editing job of this audio commentary, especially deleting any anomalies of the audio track. After James Cameron’s initial comments, we then get to hear from the following people, like Gary Rydstrom [Re-recording Mixer], Gene Warren Jr. [Fantasy II Film Effects], Dennis Skotak [4-Ward Production], Brad Fiedel [Composer], Mali Finn [Casting Director], Stephanie Austin [Co-Producer], Jeff Dawn [Make-up Artist], Robert Patrick [T-1000], Linda Hamilton [Sarah Connor], Joseph C. Nemec III  [Production Designer], Joe Morton [Miles Dyson], Edward Furlong [John Connor], Joel Kramer [Stunt Coordinator], Steve Williams [ILM Visual Effects Supervisor], Dennis Muren  [ILM Visual Effects Supervisor], Arnold Schwarzenegger [The Terminator], Stan Winston [Stan Winston Studio], Randy Walker [SWAT Officer], Lee Orloff [Production Sound Engineer], John Bruno [Visual Effects Story Boards], Mark Goldblatt [Picture Editor] and Gene Warren [Miniature Effects Supervisor].

1993 Audio Commentary with Director James Cameron and Co-Author William Wisher: This is the second of two “archival” audio commentaries, which was originally on the first-ever audio commentary for the 'T2 Extreme Edition' DVD, and we also get audio comments from co-author William Wisher and are well worth listening to. Here we are welcomed by James Cameron and sitting beside him is William Wisher, and where James says, “This is Bill to his friends, and William to his Attorney and Bill to his Accountant.” James Cameron was really pleased with Lind’s prologue at the start of the film, and they both also praise the actress’s sterling acting performance. We find out that the massive fireball sequence was shot at 300 frames per minute. When you see Arnold Schwarzenegger thrown through the shop window by the T-1000, the guy in the crowd taking the digital photos is none other than William Wisher. When you see the T-1000 runs after John Connor on his motorbike, Robert Patrick was so fit he can run as fast as a car and had to do several takes, as he was abler to touch the back of the bike. When you see Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton and Edward Furlong travelling to Mexico in the car and Arnold explains how SkyNet happens, well Arnold had cue cards stuck to the windscreen, so he did not need to learn his lines. When Linda Hamilton has the nightmare dream of the Atomic bomb going off, well the people who built the Atomic bomb says what we witness is totally accurate to what would happen to humans in a realistic situation. When you see all four arrive at the Cyberdyne System building, James Cameron explains they rented out the building and built a false third floor and replaced the real glass with their own glass and the bosses of the building watched the windows being blown out. When inside the building and you see theme setting up all the explosive material, you see the yellow barrels with the wording POLYDICHLORIC EUTHMOL, well it is the same name used in the film ‘OUTLAND’ and it is in fact a made up name. James Cameron gives great praise about the composed film score by Brad Fiedel and feels he has created a great atmosphere towards the film and of course was the same composer for the first Terminator film. So by the end of the credits both commentators just rattle on about nothing in general and do not be bothered to thank us the viewer for joining them with their personal audio commentary, but despite this, it is was quite enlightening hearing their comments, and especially as they were the two main collaborators who brought this film to fruition. This is definitely a must listen.

Special Feature: T2: Reprogramming The Terminator [2017] [1080p] [2.40:1 / 1.78:1 / 1.37:1] [54:07] Here we get some exclusive in-depth interviews with the cast and crew. Also find out the funny story between Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Cameron recounting a funny story about a wild trip to the 1990 Cannes Film Festival, where they showed the promo trailer of T2 and people were very excited to see the film and also hear how James Cameron finished the screenplay in the 11th hour as they were about to board a chartered studio jet for France to announce the film. Listen in on the fun as Arnold Schwarzenegger recalls the first time he learned when his big bad Terminator is turned into a heroic protector, he originally dismissed the scenario as a totally rubbish idea, but when Arnold Schwarzenegger read the  screenplay, he was more than eager to be involved with the film. We also get to view lots of roughly drawn black-and-white storyboards. We also get to see rare video footage of Linda Hamilton being trained by Uzi Gal, who was from the Israeli Special Forces on how to use an assault weapon. Also we get a plethora of film clips from the film. One thing that really shocked me is seeing Edward Furlong and how old he really looks now, because time has not been very kind to him. By the way, watch right to the very end, as you get a nice surprise. Contributors include:  Arnold Schwarzenegger [The Terminator], James Cameron [Director/Writer], Robert Patrick [T-1000], Edward Furlong [John Connor], Joe Morton [Miles Dyson], William Wisher [Co-Screenwriter], Brad Fiedel [Composer], Stephanie Austin [Line Producer], Adam Greenberg [Cinematographer], Mario Kassar [Executive producer] and Dennis Muren [Visual Effects Supervisor at ILM].

Special Feature: The Making of ‘TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY' [1991] [480i] [1.37:1] [30:54] This documentary treats Terminator fans to a behind-the-scenes look at the making of ‘TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY,' the blockbuster science-fiction film about the further attempts of the SkyNet computer system to assassinate John Conner before he can become a danger, as well as the resistance's efforts to protect him. Included are interviews with the rest of the cast and crew who share their experiences about making the film, as well as discuss the efforts that went into making the film. We also get a lot of rare behind-the-scene filming, make-up sessions, the workings of the animatronics and showing you how the special effects were produced. Contributors includes: Walter Noon [Narrator], Arnold Schwarzenegger [The Terminator], James Cameron [Director/Writer], Linda Hamilton [Sarah Connor], Adam Greenberg [Cinematographer], Stan Winston [Special Effects], Edward Furlong [John Connor], Jeff Dawn [Make-Up Department], Steve LaPorte [Make-Up Department], Peter Tothpal [Key Hair Stylist], Robert Patrick [T-1000], Dennis Muren [ILM Visual FX Supervisor], Mark A.Z. Dippé [ILM Visual FX Supervisor], Steve 'Spaz' Williams [ILM Computer Animation Supervisor] and George Bush Snr. (archive footage). This was a CAROLCO PICTURES, INC. Production.

Special Feature: Deleted Scenes with Audio Commentary [1991] [1080p] [2.40:1] [2:77] Here you get to view two deleted scenes from the film ‘TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY' and they are as follows: T-1000’S SEARCH [1:28] [Audio Commentary by Robert Patrick and James Cameron] and FUTURE CODA [1:49] [Audio Commentary by Stan Winston, Linda Hamilton and James Cameron]. It is best to view the two deleted scenes with the audio commentary, as it explains in-depth why these two scenes were not include in the film ‘TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY.' You can watch each deleted scene without the audio commentary and you can also either watch them separately or Play All.

2D Theatrical Trailers [1991] [1080p] [2.40:1 / 1.78:1] [6:33] Here you get to view four Original Theatrical Trailers of the film ‘TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY,' and they are as follows: T2 3D THEATRICAL TRAILER, THIS TIME THERE ARE TWO; SAME MAKE, NEW MISSION and BUILDING THE PERFECT ARNOLD. As usual, you can either watch each trailer separately or Play All.

BONUS: You have a stunning slip cover with embossed wording that makes it really stand out and worth adding to your Arnold Schwarzenegger Blu-ray collection.

Finally, ‘TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY’ 3D Blu-ray is a totally awesome Blu-ray release, which exploits the second generation abilities of the high-definition disc format to recommend its inclusion for Terminator fanatic fans. This film has had multiple home entertainment releases going back to when the film was released via VHS Video Tape, LaserDisc editions, and numerous DVD releases and especially editions which always promised more of the film for audiences to crave for. Credit must go to STUDIOCANAL for delivering a much more robust Blu-ray effort which justifies the vastly upgraded treasure trove of bonus material approach that is a must-see. But overall, the ‘TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY’ 3D extends the brilliant Terminator franchise into the 21st century where it belongs, both technologically for home viewing and thematically in its futurist dramatic frame of reference. James Cameron's mind-bending tale of destruction and destiny, placing mankind's future on the narrow shoulders of young John Connor, has never looked and sounded even better than before, and this Special Edition pulls out all the stops to enhance your ‘TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY’ 3D viewing experience and enhanced 3D spectacular images and of course as you can guess, I am absolutely totally honoured to have another brilliant Arnold Schwarzenegger film added to my Blu-ray Collection. Very Highly Recommended!

Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado 
Le Cinema Paradiso 
United Kingdom