Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a masterpiece of sci-fi action and, hands down, one of the greatest action movies ever made. If you haven’t seen it yet, I suggest you get onto it as this film does live up to the hype! The film has become a cultural icon and has influenced a generation of filmmakers and moviegoers alike. Even if you haven’t seen it, you’ve heard about it, and you know it’s a must-watch, however, the physical media disc for this film is a little underwhelming.
The movie stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as the killing machine Terminator who is sent back in time to protect a young boy called John Connor, who is destined to save humanity from a terrible future. Along the way, they must battle the intimidating T-1000 which is an invincible mercury-liquid bases Terminator who is sent back in time to destroy John Connor and the Terminator to ensure that Judgement Day does happen.
But Terminator 2: Judgement Day isn’t just a mindless action movie. It’s a story about hope, redemption, and the human spirit. John Connor is a rebellious teenager who must come to terms with his destiny and the weight of the future he must bear on his shoulders. His mother, Sarah Connor is a darkly pessimistic cynic who has seen the horrors of the future and is determined to prevent it from ever happening. Together, they must overcome their differences and work together to stop the T-1000.
One of the reasons why Terminator 2 has stood the test of time is its groundbreaking use of CGI. Along with Jurassic Park, Terminator 2 marked the beginning of a new era in visual effects and photography which reinvented the industry for the better. Even after over 30 years, the CGI effects still holds up and is as striking and fascinating as they were when the film first premiered in cinemas.
Terminator 2: Judgement Day has been released 4K/UHD worldwide with the same HEVC H.265 encode seen in the European release by Studio Canal. While the 2160p video delivers a noticeable improvement over the most recent Blu-ray counterpart, there are some issues with the visual presentation. The DNR may not be as bad as Predator, but it is still disappointing for an iconic action classic. There are also several instances of aliasing and moiré effects, particularly along the sharpest edges and in light fixtures.
However, for those who are more forgiving, the 2160p video provides a noticeable upgrade over the Blu-ray counterpart. Facial complexions appear natural with lifelike textures, and individual hairs can be seen in the T-1000’s perfectly combed haircut. The contrast shows some improvement with brighter, cleaner whites, and the brightness levels deliver rich, midnight blacks, providing the image with a welcomed cinematic touch and exceptional shadow detail.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a classic for a very good reason. Its story, characters, and groundbreaking use of CGI have made it a pop-culture icon and a must-watch for any fan of action movies. The 4K/UHD release may not be perfect, but it’s still a noticeable upgrade over the most recent Blu-ray counterpart, and the lossless audio options are highly enjoyable. I would recommend watching this film, if not for the 4k/UHD then at least for the story and one of the greatest sci-fi films of all time.
7.5/10
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