Terminator 2 - The Ultimate HD-Edition (HD DVD)

[MJZ]

Originally Posted by Dassy

I have yet to find it on the HD Ultimate Edition,if any one finds it please disclose it`s location.

Although this was touted as being on this disc before its release, I believe it was dropped. So far I don't know anybody who has found it across all the forums I visit.

[zepherman]

First off sorry for the late follow up. I have had so many Netflix rentals lately that I hadn't gotten around to seeing it. But I finally did. And I must say I was pretty impressed. I already own 3 different T2 versions on DVD and 1 on LD. But being a huge fan of this film I knew I had to have it in HD.

So does this super deluxe Ultimate Edition HD DVD live up to its claims for being the absolute best out there? I'd say for the most part, yes it definitely delivers the goods. As far as PQ and sound go, it is without a doubt the best presentation of the "Director's Cut" available. Some have said that the French Studio Canal version edges it out in terms of PQ. I haven't had the pleasure of seeing the French release so I can't comment on that. But I do know that all the high def releases so far (other than this German release), are only the theatrical cut of the film. So being that this German release is the "Directors Cut", makes it a very special edition to own.

The PQ, especially given the vintage of the film, is in very good shape. I did not notice any excessive grain, or edge enhancement. Most of the time the presentation was quite impressive, with excellent blacks, and very good detail. Certain shots are a tad soft, and others really pop, and are very sharp and detailed. Colors for the most part are really good, but as to be expected, with a lot of the scenes taking place at night, the colors are a bit subdued.

The sound on this release is pretty amazing. For the very first time it's available in 7.1 DTS-HD High Resolution. A 7.1 DTS-HD MA track would have been the "Ultimate Choice" for this "Ultimate Edition". But even though we didn't get an MA option, the 7.1 High Resolution definitely impresses. While all previous T2 soundtracks have wowed us, this one kicks it up a notch. With this being the only Directors Cut currently available in high def, the sound, likewise, is also the only 7.1 discrete version available on high def.

The extras here, are without a doubt, the most elaborate and most complete available on any previous releases (DVD included). There is just so much material on here that it would take quite some time to go through the wealth of bonus content available. And about the only thing that takes a bit away from the total experience, is that some of the bonus material's text is only available in German. Kinowelt mentioned that they are planning on offering an update (via Ethernet) to offer English as an option. But until/if that happens, the good news is that at least most of the extras have English text.

For me I didn't buy this German HD DVD for the extras, I wanted to own the Director's Cut in high Def. And I got exactly what I wanted. And having it in discrete 7.1 DTS sound along with all the extras is just icing on the cake. So I'd say that for anyone who is a fan of the film, and wants this movie in high def now, this German edition is the only game in town. And even if T2 makes it's way in a Director's Cut on Blu-ray, I honestly believe it won't be as extensive content wise as this one is.



Seth