lthough Terminator 2: Judgment Day has been previously released on DVD, who can get enough of Linda Hamilton tying a knot in a paper clip with her tongue?
This two-disc set includes many special features, supplying over six hours' worth of watchable content. The film itself can be viewed in either the theatrical release version or a special edition, which reinstates scenes that were cut from the theatrical release for reasons of timing or aesthetics. One of the three featurettes in the set, "T2: More Than Meets the Eye," explores why these scenes were cut, with comments from writer/director James Cameron. The set's booklet lists every cut scene with a brief synopsis. Plus, there's an audio commentary track that features insider info from members of the film's cast and crew.
Other featurettes include "The Making of T2" and "The Making of T2: 3-D: Breaking the Screen Barrier," which is about the the creation of Universal Studios' theme park attraction "Terminator 2: 3-D: Battle across Time." Not your average theme park tie-in, this attraction stars T2's original stars--Schwarzenegger, Hamilton, Patrick and Furlong. James Cameron also played a central role in its creation, as did special effects artist Stan Winston.
After viewers become sated by the film, teasers, trailers and featurettes (if possible), there's still copious material to explore on the discs, starting with biographies of the principal cast and crew. The screenplay can be viewed, as well as more than 700 storyboards. A comprehensive outline chronicles every step of the making of T2, from inception through filming, post-production and even marketing. Also, people with DVD-ROM players can watch the film on their computer while simultaneously viewing the screenplay and storyboards.
As thorough as Cameron
Terminator 2: Judgment Day was a landmark film. Its special effects cut way beyond the edge; it was action-packed, yet it told a moving story. As a sequel, it met then exceeded audience expectations. If any film deserves royal treatment on DVD it's T2, and this "Ultimate Edition" does right by the blockbuster. More than just providing a few trimmed scenes, this edition stands as a massive reference source for every aspect of the film. It reveals many aspects of filmmaking that are generally hidden from the movie-going public, such as the writing process, set building, actor training (the cast was given weapons training by a former Israeli commando) and more.
Twenty-six cast and crew members take part in the audio commentary, so from the first frame it's packed with interesting facts, such as how the opening (the burning playground) was one of the last things to be filmed, and how the sound of a skull being crushed by a skeletal Terminator was made by smashing a pistachio on a steel plate.
Such a huge digital document is bound to contain a few wobbles. Navigating DVDs is never intuitive and in this case, with so much information, it's worse than usual. Patience is needed. Also, having access to the screenplay is nice, but the text is white against the image of a burning playground--a case of a little too much style overwhelming the substance.
T2 aficionados shouldn't miss this set, even if they already own the film on DVD. Anyone who would like to learn the ins and outs of how a big-budget Hollywood film develops will want to check it out. But who needs complex justifications? T2 rocks; it's well worth owning.
