5/5 The Most Awesome DVD Ever Created. Trash The Old Disk!
  by Brett Michael Roberts (Renton, WA USA)
This new "Ultimate Edition DVD" of Terminator 2 Judgement Day, one of the biggest box office smashes of all time, is truly The Ultimate Edition. Unless you get this outside of the US (which I did) you have two disks. One disk is the movie (THREE versions of the movie, in fact), and the next disk is all the special features. And it takes DAYS getting through every feature. I mean, three documentary, 8 trailers and TV spots, an entire script, interviews that you can access separately, and 52 chapters of behind the scenes footage, from makeup to visual effects, from editing to restoring deleted scenes. There are so many special features, this is what DVD was made for! You can also look at the original drawings of certain scenes, awesome!!!!

However, I find the real highlight of this disk (or disks) to be the movie itself, I mean WOW!!! You get three, I repeat, three, versions of the movie. One is the original theatrical version, featuring no cut out scenes (the worst), the special edition, featuring 16 minutes of additional footage (second best) and the Extended Special Edition that you need a code for (the best) which features 18 minutes of additional footage, as well as an alternate ending. Here, now, I will give you a step-by-step description of how to get this extended special edition. I'm sure most of you people reading this know how to already, but this is for those who didn't know this version existed, or don't know how to get it. What you do is, you go to the features menu. It'll say "Theatrical Version" and "Special Edition". Click on "Special Edition". Then, you highlight "Play Special Edition" and type in (you may have to type ENTER in-between each number) EIGHT TWO NINE NINE SEVEN (8 2 9 9 7) and then, the "Go To Theatrical Version" option changes to "Play Extended Special Edition". This is the definitive version of the movie. I believe that every single little, tiny scene that they cut out is in this version. Well, thats the code, now back to my review.

The picture and audio on this disk are SO awesome, you won't believe it. Crystal clear picture, and sound so loud that it's like you're in a movie theatre. The additional, restored scenes are remastered as well, and slip perfectly into the movie. If you haven't even seen the film, you won't even notice these scenes put into it. Usually, on additional scenes, the picture is dirty and shakes. Not in these added scenes. And, to make it even better, the scenes are presented in 2:35:1 widescreen anamorphic format. Yes!! Just the first disk makes this DVD the ultimate edition!! Also, there's an audio commentary by 26 members of the cast and crew, however, this commentary is just interviews put together to sound like a commentary. However, there's a noticable glitch in the theatrical version, due to the commentary. Well, if you watch this commentary on one of the special editions, you'll notice it's the same commentary as the theatrical version, but they talk about deleted scenes as well. You may, also, notice that they continue talking about the deleted "Dream Sequence" at the hospital, when it goes into the next scene. So, now, when you watch the theatrical version, you'll notice that the beggining scene with Sarrah Connor watching the tape from six months ago, the beggining of the scene is cut off!!! Oops! Well, that's forgivible. Now, the second disk (or the second side of the disk) has lots of special features. The three documentarys include "The Making Of Terminator 2 Judgement Day", "T2 More Than Meets The Eye", where they talk about deleted sequences and the reason they were cut. The last is "The Making Of Terminator 2 3-D Breaking The Screen Barrier", about the making of that 3-D terminator ride. I loved that ride (yes, I went on it) and this documentary is really interesting. The rest of the features, well, I'm not sure I kinow all of them. Maybe YOU should discover all the features on this disk. If you own the previous DVD release of T2 (which had no extras), then trash it and get this "Ultimate Edition". You WON'T be dissipointed.

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5/5 Terminator 2: The ULTIMATE DVD EXPERIENCE!
  by Paul (Los Angeles, California USA)
As I opened my Amazon.com box revealing a shiny outer metal casing for this DVD, I knew I was in for something special. This "Ultimate Edition" impressed me even before opening the plastic wrapping! Soon, I slid off the metal T2 casing revealing a beautiful 2 disc DVD package. The graphics on the outer casing and on the discs themselves are quite creative. The booklet is also impressive....30 pages of photos and interesting facts concerning James Cameron, his crew and the film. It also has a detailed list of the chapters and a list with information on the restored footage. OK...so far I have a huge smile on my face, and I haven't even popped the DVD into my player yet. By the way, if you plan to keep the booklet inside the DVD case, make sure you close it tightly! This booklet is so thick, you'll have problems keeping the package closed! Anyway, I finally pop in Disc 1. The animated graphics are terrific! Disc 1 contains the theatrical release of the film, the special edition with restored footage, and the magic "easter egg" ending. It also gives you an assortment of audio options including Dolby Digital 5.1 EX, DTS 5.1 and Dolby Surround 2.0. You also have the choice of audio commentary by 26 cast and crew members! What I thought was really great about the commentaries was that the name of the person talking is shown on the screen with their credit, so you always know who is talking without getting confused. That was a pleasant surprise. You also have the choice of English subtitles and "Mission Profiles", which are biographies of many cast and crew members. You can also jump to any scene you want with an impressive "timeline" graphic. Being THX certified, this disc also contains a THX set-up. OK...so lets talk about the DVD. I decided to watch the "Special Edition". After a very impressive new THX logo, I sat back and watched the film. Instantly, the sound was top notch. If you have a subwoofer, you may have to make sure that anything hanging on your walls are securely fastened. The remastering job on this film is amazing. The stereo separation, the ambience, vocals and music all sound incredible. This film really set a new standard for sound design when it was first released, and this DVD compliments the sound department to the fullest. You are thrown into a surround sound environment that is addicting and thrilling. Even those with simple 2 speaker set-ups will be happy, but those with advanced surround systems will have some explaining to tell the neighbors. This DVD is a great test for your system. A true audiophonic, stereophonic thrill. OK...enough about the sound...what about the picture? Well, the picture is also superb, with incredible detail and beautiful deep blacks. Color saturation is beautiful with deep blues throughout the film. The transfer is incredibly clean. Can you believe that I can STILL see the wires suspending Arnolds motorcycle as he jumps into the canal!!?? (Chapter 21, I believe.) Anyway, the widescreen presentation of T2 is definitely the "ultimate DVD experience." **By the way, SLOWLY type in 8-2-9-9-7 in the main menu AFTER you choose "Special Edition". This accesses the secret "Extended Special Ediion." (different DVD players may require you to press 'enter' after each number, while others may not.)** OK...let's talk about disc 2 which contains all the supplemental material. The opening graphic animation is really great. This animation brings you to the main menu. The main menu is subdivided into 3 sections...."Information Programs" which has 3 featurettes, "Making of T2", "T2, More then meets the eye", and "The making of T2 3D". The second section, "Visual Campaigns", has a "Teaser Trailer", two "Theatrical Trailers", and a "T2 Special Edition Trailer". The thrid section, The "Data Hub", has all other supplemental material. This includes 574 still frames of the final shooting script, original storyboard sequences, a bunch of video sequences including videos of James Cameron, the co-writer, the effects designer, stunt coordinator, interviews with cast and other crew members and a BUNCH of other stuff that will keep you watching until T3 is released! The "Data Hub" also contains an impressive graphical behind the scenes story of T2, or you can choose a video featurette with behind the scenes footage....both very impressive. For you PC people, you can also watch the film while reading the script and looking at the storyboards. You can also link to online T2 websites. I won't ruin all the surprises of this disc, but I recommend you to experiment with this disc...there are a few other surprises that I won't go into detail about. In conclusion, I want to applaud everyone involved in the making of this DVD, especially the Creative Supervisor Van Ling. It is simply one of the BEST DVD's available and gives everyone a reason to own a DVD player. Much time was spent in producing this package, and it is worth every penny. Full of surprises, top notch audio and video quality with THX certification, and an attractive outer case too! This is what all future "ultimate editions" should be compared to, because "Terminator 2-The Ultimate DVD Edition" is why DVD was created. I recommend this DVD to EVERYONE....especially to those who are DVD fanatics, fans of the Terminator films and/or James Cameron, or you simply want to 'show off' your home entertainment system. Buy this DVD package and enjoy!

5/5 Features galore!
  by Michael Fletcher (Murrieta, CA USA)
This is the most feature packed DVD I own!

Terminator 2 THE ULTIMATE EDITION DVD actually has 3 different versions of the movie; the original theatrical release lasting 136 minutes, the special edition version lasting 153 minutes and an extended special edition clocking in at 155 minutes and 43 seconds which is accessed by an "Easter Egg" discussed below.

You can access the extended special edition version by selecting special edition from the menu and then entering 82297 on your remote's numeric keypad. You may have to press "enter" after each number on certain DVD players. An easier method is to just select title number 3 from your remote.

The picture quality and sound quality are top-notch on this DVD and it is my top choice for showing off my system to friends and family! It includes Dolby Digital 5.1 EX, DTS 5.1 ES and Dolby Digital 2.0 mixes. The EX and ES designations refer to a new standard that includes a sixth channel of sound that is designed to emanate from a rear center speaker. I have a 5.1 setup, so I couldn't test this feature, but it's nice to know it's there.

This release comes in two formats; either a DVD-18 disc or two DVD-9 Discs. The DVD-18 is a double-sided, double layer disc and contains the entire 6 hours of material on one disc that needs to be flipped and the DVD-9 is a single-sided, double-layer disc which has the material on two discs. Don't worry, the content on both versions is the same. The two disc version might be preferable for DVD changer users. Due to manufacturing limitations with the newer DVD-18 format, the DVD-9's were created to better meet demand.

One really cool thing about this title is that the trailers for Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS play according to which audio setting is selected. These are nice to demo your system with! Also, the THX trailer at the beginning was customized for T2 as a bonus.

If you love this movie, get this version now! It has enough bonus materials to warrant a purchase even if you already own the previous release on DVD. This is an awesome special edition that betters the Laser Disc special edition at a quarter of the list price! There are English and Japanese trailers, 700 storyboards, a 26 person audio commentary, making of T2 and T2 3D featurettes and DVD-ROM material as well.

Last, but not least, you get "THX Optimode," a tool to properly adjust your home theater audio and video settings for optimum enjoyment. I recommend Video Essentials or Avia Guide to Home Theater DVDs for critical system adjustment, but this is a great tool for free! To access "THX Optimode," select "Sensory Control," click your remote's left button and click on the highlighted THX on the endoskeleton's skull.

This is a great DVD with my highest recommendation!

5/5 SHINE THEM ON
  by Thomas E. O'Sullivan (Knoxville, Maryland United States)
After nearly ten years T2 is still snappy. And with this new DVD ULTIMATE EDITION, you can't really go wrong. If you already have bought T2 on DVD before this release, you will not feel cheated if you buy it again... because this one is the complete package. As for bells and whistles and added value, T2 is a ten all around. Excellent menu interfaces (level by level inside SKYNET HQ), a host of extras that will keep both DVD and PC/DVD ROM owners busy for hours on end... and I mean hours (from script, to movie(s) - three in all, to 700 storyboards, inside MAKING OF's - the film and the T2 3D ride, audio commentary - and on and on and on...). Also, it comes complete with a metal slip case... real metal, real nice, and very cool... and I mean cold (when I bought this the other day the stores air conditioning had chilled the slip case to ice cold... my hand fogged it up when I was holding onto it). T2 ULTIMATE promises and delivers just that. The tranfer is sharp (the images in the film are very clear... very percise and dead on). The sound, very visual when you have the right system (and even if you don't - it's still very nice). One of the best packages out there... highly recommended. PLUS! - we have an EASTER EGG, for those of you who don't know what that means... we do have a hidden MODE to play with. It's an extra run of the film (making it three in total for the disk). It's the SPECIAL ADDITION, but with the FUTURE CODA scene replaced at the end. For those who don't know the FUTURE CODA scene and why it was cut... you'll have to review the DVD and movie. To get to the E.E. follow these instructions:

Directions:

The hidden alternate version is 156 minutes. It contains the Future Coda ending and the cut of the movie is the special edition. To get to this third cut of the movie, click on Special Edition from the main menu. Highlight Play Special Edition and press 82997 on your remote. The words The Future Is Not Set will appear in the right hand portion of the setup screen and the left eye of the Terminator will light up. Now you can click on Play Extended Special Edition. If this does not work try 8 enter 2 enter 9 enter, 9 enter, 7 enter to achieve the same effect. Or, press title 3 and it plays the hidden alternate version.

There you go... you've got it all. Enjoy.

5/5 I'll Tell You How to Get A Different Ending!!!!
  by
OK If you go to the menu, where it will say "Play Theatrical Version" and "Play Special Edition", using your remote control, type in (you may have to press enter in-between each number) 82997 (that's EIGHT TWO NINE NINE SEVEN). Then the "Play Special Edition" option will change to "Play Extended Special Edition" and you get two more added scenes. One where the T-1000 searches John Connor's room, and a different ending set in the future!

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