Blu-ray Review: Terminator 2

Time travel is such a tough subject for movies. No matter how much you think through it, there’s a problem somewhere you didn’t consider and the film instantly loses credibility. Terminator 2, even with some of the usual issues, remains strong with brilliantly designed action sequences and great continuity from the original film.

Even without some of the best action sequences ever put on film, T2 would still succeed. Characters are formed with great back stories, the performances are strong, and Robert Patrick steals the show as the cold killing machine. His casting, with a thin, almost frail frame against the hulking Schwarzenegger, was a fantastic move.

It's amazing to think someone could rebound their career after starring in King Kong Lives, but Linda Hamilton plays her over-stressed and paranoid role flawlessly. Arnold, now on the other side of the good versus evil fight, gives the film some needed comic relief.

The action scenes? Unbelievable. The canal run is one of the most memorable chase sequences in the history of film and the liquid nitrogen truck crash is spectacular to behold. The special effects set a new standard, holding up perfectly 17 years later. The morphing T-1000 is ingenious and numerous documentaries have detailed how this process was completed (including a few practical effects).

This Blu-ray does not feature the extended director's cut of T2 which added 16 minutes of character development-related sequences. The scenes served a purpose, but the original mix is a better choice. Regardless of how you watch it, you're getting one of the best sci-fi action films ever conceived.

After countless DVD releases (and re-releases), this should look perfect on Blu-ray. While not without problems, it’s an impressive piece of HD visuals, though not where most fans would expect it given the multiple re-masterings of the source after all these years.

Article Author: Matt Paprocki

Matt Paprocki is a 12-year movie and game critic. He currently freelances for Blu-ray review site DoBlu.com and video game site MultiPlayerGames.com.

Visit Matt Paprocki's author page — Matt Paprocki's Blog