Reviews (1707)

Titanic Triumphs Over Sinking Feeling
James Cameron's 1997 Titanic is, of course, the biggest box office hit of all time, edging out such blockbuster films as E.T., Star Wars, and Jurassic Park for that title. This film, with its tale of star-crossed lovers Rose and Jack intertwined with the real-life tragedy of the Royal Mail Steamer Titanic, won 11 Academy Awards and the loyalty of its millions of fans.
In 1997, though, no one involved in its making (except maybe the determined Cameron himself) believed this movie would float to box office glory. It was so ambitious and so expensive that not one but two studios (Paramount and 20th Century Fox) financed it, splitting the distribution rights and spending over $200,000,000 to recreate the fatal maiden voyage of the 1912 world's largest ocean liner. Yet Cameron, who had previously directed the first two Terminator movies, The Abyss, and True Lies, was proven correct when world-wide audiences embraced this touching and technically brilliant movie.
Yes, this first movie to reap $1 billion in box office gross did capture the hearts of millions of teenage girls who repeated screenings to see Leonardo DiCaprio's Jack Dawson woo Kate Winslet's feisty socialite (and soon-to-be-wed) Rose. And while many detractors scoff at this admittedly clichéd poor-boy-meets-rich-girl love story, it is exactly through this pairing that we get a feel for what it was like to travel at sea in those Gilded Era days before the First World War destroyed the old Europe forever.
This film has much going for it. It has, in addition to actual location shots of the real Titanic wreck (the minisub sequence is NOT special effects), a winsome couple, a classic mustache-twirling villain (Billy Zane) with the usual henchman (a menacing David Warner), a great supporting cast which includes Danny Nuccio, Bernard Fox (who used to guest star in TV series such as Hogan's Heroes and Bewitched), Kathy Bates, Bill Paxton (who has appeared in most of Cameron's movies) and Gloria Stuart (who plays the older Rose Dawson). Titanic also has a great musical score and incredible visuals: the sinking of the great liner is certainly realistic - even if the CGI effects are a bit artificial-looking. This picture certainly was difficult to make .... Thankfully, in spite of the media hype and negative publicity, Titanic proved to be a good and entertaining film. I recommend it to anyone who likes love stories or epic disaster films. This movie mixes both genres very well.

The Maiden Voyage
O.K. I'll admit it, while I'm usually not much for the sappy romantic films, James Cameron's Oscar winning epic Titanic is a very good movie. And I did see it more than once on the big screen.

An undersea expedition, led by explorer Brock Lovett (Bill Paxton), is searching for a valuable diamond aboard the wreckage of the Titanic. The team, instead finds a drawing of seventeen-year-old Rose DeWitt Bukater, (Kate Winslet) who is on the way to her wedding to wealthy tycoon, Cal Hockley (Billy Zane). Now an old woman (Gloria Stuart) Rose tells her story of the fateful voyage to the team. While the ship races to meet its fate with an iceberg, Rose falls in love with Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) a free-spirited artist and third-class passenger who ignites a passion inside her.

The film itself is a technical marvel. Cameron and his crew recreated the ship and her history with such skill and percision that it's easy to go along for the ride. I liked the way the fictional story of Jack and Rose was interlaced with actual historical figures and facts. For example "The Unsinkable" Molly Brown (Kathy Bates), Captain Edward J. Smith (Bernard Hill), and shipbuilders J. Bruce Ismay (Jonathan Hyde) & Thomas Andrews (Victor Garber), all have a place within the love story. Speaking of which, for me, it's Stuart that sells the romance. Acting as "narrator", she makes it possible to care about these characters more than you would have otherwise. The chemistry between DiCaprio and Winslet is very apparent and Zane is pitch perfect as Cal. The sinking sequence is really something and no disaster film since has matched its scope.

As it stands right now, the DVD doesn't have any bonus material on it, save for the theatrical trailer. Enough time has passed that another edition is warranted. That said, the bare bones DVD is recomended. For some additiional perspective on the history of the disaster, I also suggest, James Cameron's documentary Ghosts Of The Abyss.

movie hits an expensive iceberg
this is my opinion should have its own category in the video store.by this i mean it should be under terrible movies that cost to much along with the day after tomorow.I think that this movie really did hit an iceberg and it was only popular because of its stars these stars i must add were not that great they were ok but nothing special.And i would rather shoot myself than hear another person singing my heart will go on.I really do not like this over expensive movie bu5 i suppose that thats just my opinion.

LOVE IT!
THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORETE MOVIES OF ALL TIME!THE ONLY GROSS PART IS WHEN ROSE TAKES OF ALL HER CLOTHES!?YUCK!BUT ANYWAY,IT`S A GREAT AND ROMANTIC MOVIE!

build a bridge
titanic...The Movie....Is just that.
I enjoy the story, from that perspective.
I appreciate the effort to create a level of interest in such an event. Drama can attempt to capture, only you can respond!
In reading short 4-5star reviews, and Loooong 2-3star reviews, I believe the connection has been made, as planned! ... Read more

Reviews (163)

Almost Great, But . . .
Most of "True Lies" is a wonderful combination of action, adventure, thriller, and comedy. Most of this movie could stand up against most James Bond movies.

However, I have one major concern. In the first third of the movie, when Arnold Schwarzenegger's character thinks his wife, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, is having an affair with a car salesman who pretends to be an international spy to attract women, his response is pretty sadistic. He uses his resources, as the international spy that Arnold's character actually is, to have his wife's phone tapped, have her followed, have her captured, have her interrogated, and have her coerced into becoming a spy. He's already gone too far, but he goes even further by having her first assignment be to pose as a prostitute in order to plant a miniature microphone in the hotel room of a sleazy stranger (played by Schwarzenegger, hiding in the dark, and using someone's tape-recorded voice). I find that entire sequence very distasteful and uncomfortable to watch.

My recommendation: watch the movie, but fast-forward through that entire sequence described above. It's cheap, sleazy, and distasteful.

True Lies - An extremely entertaining action/drama film!
"True Lies" is quite simply, one of the most entertaining, fast paced and hilarious films that Arnold Schwarzenegger has ever starred in. From the very first time I saw this movie in the theater to several viewings both in VHS and DVD format, I've found that the superior script and exceptional acting in this film entertains every time. I've read of and heard many lament over some aspects of this film and the best I could say to those is that quite often the movies that Hollywood produces are a sensationalism of real life events and ultimately a movie such as this one is for entertainment not making statements about any one group or individual and as a medium for entertainment, this film succeeds completely!

Performance wise, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold, Bill Paxton, Tia Carrere and Art Malik all deserve great honors and the accolades they received for their respective parts in this film. "True Lies" was probably Arnold Schwarzenegger's best overall performance both in the action and the dramatic sense. Jamie Lee Curtis couldn't have been any better in this role and I can honestly say that I was impressed with Tom Arnold's performance in this movie whereas any other film or show I've seen him in I was not impressed. I believe the only other movie I've seen that Art Malik was in was "The Living Daylights" and in both that movie and this one his work has been exceptional.

Say what you may like about director James Cameron but you would definitely have to admit that prior to the current but most likely "temporary" culmination of his career as a director with the movie "Titanic" and heading off to run the "Dark Angel" television series, few directors could come close to matching his accomplishments. "True Lies" was James Cameron's fifth highly successful hit in a row and with this movie and "Titanic" one could definitely say that during this run of box office hits, he had the pulse of the fans as he wrote screenplays and directed these extraordinary films.

The Premise:

Harry Tasker (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a high speed "spook" working for a highly secretive government agency that is a watch dog/operator spook agency that identifies and handles terrorist threats to the United States. Along with his handler Albert Gibson (Tom Arnold), they uncover a major terrorist operation which is bent on using nuclear warheads against the US to accomplish its goals. As Harry, Albert and their organization are working to uncover the terrorists plot; his family becomes heavily involved in the story which is where Helen Tasker (Jamie Lee Curtis) comes in to play and some extremely hilarious scenes involving Simon (Bill Paxton). What follows from there is one of the most hilarious and exciting action/drama films to have come out of the nineties.

I highly recommend this film to any and all who are interested in seeing a great, fast paced, highly intriguing and hilarious action/drama movie and aren't interested in reading too much into the plot or the characters in the plot that are used as plot devices. {ssintrepid}

Special Features:

-Original Theatrical Trailer

A lot of fun - over the top action with humor & drama
True Lies is an action romp with several story lines that flow into each other for the big climax. Harry (Arnold) and Helen (Jamie Lee) are in a stereotypical middle-class marriage where the husband is totally career focused and because he is "successful" he thinks all is well at home. Helen is bored and miserable because she feels invisible to her husband. Their daughter Dana (Eliza Dushku - Faith from Buffy) is alienated from them both and headed down a very bad path.

Harry has a secret life as a spy for a super secret government organization. His partner is Albert (Tom Arnold in his best role / performance anywhere) and they are closer to each other than to anyone else in their lives as they travel the world saving us all from the bad guys.

The terrorism they are battling could have been ripped from today's headlines. However, I doubt such a film could be made today because of political sensitivities. I was surprised how much of it held up.

But this film is about fun more than drama. The action is exciting, but preposterous and the scale of the action crescendos toward the final ridiculous aspect of Harry flying a Harrier jet while saving his daughter, fighting the big bad guy and fending off an attacking helicopter all at the same time. Another problem, a small one for this kind of action film, is the endless weapons fire focused at the heroes to no effect, while Helen can simply drop a machine pistol down the stairs and wipe out a platoon. It is a delightful seen, however. If you can suspend disbelief for this, the movie can be a lot of fun.

Many have called the film misogynistic, and I suppose you can see some of that in the film. But Bill Paxton's wonderful performance as the sleazebag Simon is easily the most despised person in the film and he is a male.

There are other find performances in the film. Faisal, played wonderfully by Grant Heslov (we should see more of him), is a terrific character who holds a lot of the story line together even though his role isn't that large. And Tia Carrere as the mercenary art dealer Juno is simply one of the best things in the movie. Art Malik is great as the villain Salim Abu Aziz. Mr. Malik provides the right kind of energy for such an over the top film. He provides the kind of passionate megalomania that makes all the fighting seem appropriate.

With all the sub-plots weaving in and out, the humor, and the fine performances, I think this is one of Arnold Schwartzenegger's best films. And I thought his pairing with Tom Arnold was great. Too bad we never saw them together again.

One of Arnold's best
Even Tom Arnold is good in this movie, and that's saying alot. Jamie Lee Curtis steals the show, but Arnold is great as the butt kicking spy. Amazingly they even have Middle Eastern terrorists as the bad guys...who would have ever thought of that? Most movies these days stay so far away from that subject they can get downright comical in their efforts to find a bad guy.

This is just a plain fun movie. Bad guys, stuff blowing up, hero dad saves the day. Great for a Saturday evening to get a few laughs and relax.

The best One of All
For sheer appeal and entertainment, "TRUE LIES" surpasses any of the Terminator Series, Twins or really any other Schwarzenegger film. It is about as perfect a movie as one could hope for - with all the action, humor, drama and sex appeal there is to offer. Jamie Lee Curtis is absolutely incredible as the plain Jane wife who becomes entrapped in a world of espionage and shadows. (The strip tease was one of the best scenes in filmdom ever.)

Tom Arnold was also perfect for his role as the patient buddy spy who is the perfect cover. Tia Carrere was also perfect as the evil villaness with a flair for the upscale. Whoever did the casting deserves a medal. Dialogue, action, plot - I loved it all! ... Read more

Description

He said he'd be back.This time experience T2 like never before!Go EXTREME with the best picture and sound ever!ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER returns as the Terminator in this explosive action-adventure spectacle.Now he's one of the good guys, sent back in time to protect John Connor, the boy destined to lead the freedom fighters of the future.LINDA HAMILTON reprises her role as Sarah Connor, John's mother, a quintessential survivor who has been institutionalized for her warning of the nuclear holocaust she knows is inevitable.Together, the threesome must find a way to stop the ultimate enemy - the T-1000, the most lethal Terminator ever created.Co-written, produced and directed by James Cameron ("The Terminator," "Aliens," "Titanic), this visual tour de force is also a touching story of survival. ... Read more

Reviews (595)

T2 eXtreme:Nice case,nice extras,AMAZING image/sound quality
This is a truly wonderful dvd. If you own a home theatre system or seek the highest quality in dvd image and sound, this is the dvd for you. The high defenition version of the film is only playable with a high-end PC, but the special edition and theatrical versions on the tv are a big improvement on the 'ultimate edition dvd'. This is due to the brand new high quality transfer. The extras aren't amazing, but their pretty good. There is a documentary on T2's effect on the film industry and an 8 minute featurette on 'Life on the Set'. There is some great new DVD-ROM content though. There's a great little morphing program which takes a while to master seeing as there are few instructions. There is also a fun T-800 'FX Studio' in which you shoot at your imported digital photos to reveal your friend's or granny's endoskull. There is also a 'Skynet Combat Chassis Designer'. I haven't a clue what this is as I haven't used it yet, but I think it's some kind of online game. I have read several reviews with complaints about the metal outer case, but I had no problem whatsoever. The only advise I can give is to push in the front and back of the sleeve when taking the inner case out. It comes out no-problemo. If I had to choose betweem the 'Ultimate Edition' and the 'Extreme edition', I'd stick with Extreme. If however, I didn't have a dolby sound system and/or a widescreen tv, I'd take the 'Ultimate' (Way more Extras) - Oh, and by the way, the movie itself is probably one of the best films ever made.

The Ultimate And The Extreme
I was upset when Artisan announced yet another version of T2 (I think this makes 3 reissues but I lost count). Why? For those of us out there, who consider ourselves DVD-Philles, most of us already own the "Ultimate Edition"of T2, which is pretty dang cool in its right. I made up my mind. I wasn't going to fall into that trap. I was burned by The Mummy and American Pie and learned the hard way-not again

Having said that...Once I heard that writer/director James Cameron and co writer William Wisher had recorded a new audio commentary for the film. I have to hand it to Artisan..this was a shrewd move. One of the minor quibbles I had with the previous release of T2, was its audio commentary. As good as it was to have a lot of contributors, the last time out, I could tell that the track was just "pieced together" from different parts of the disc. Most of the info on the track was just "lifted" This was the only downer on the "ultimate edition" The "new" is very good and worth a listen. As for the film, the 2 disc "extreme edition", has both the special extended cut, and as an "Easter Egg", the theatrical cut as well. I have to admit, the look of the T-1000 (Robert Patrick) and his morphing looks pristine, as does the original Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger). But I would also caution that the High Definition Digital transfer will only look like a real improvment if you have the equipment to handle the technology. Luckily, for me, I have a friend with an updated system, but it's still not the top of the line

As for the other extras in the set, they are just ok. There are 2 new retrospective documentaries. One one the film's ground breaking effects; The other, is a "life on the set" montage, while the film was still in production. You can also build your own Terminator and track its progress online, and rounding out the set's extras is a graphic fact track about all things Terminator.

With this edition, be warned, you lose many of the extras found on the previous edition. But the Cameron/Wisher audio commentary is still quite a draw. Mega fans of T2 should have both, while others should think carefully, Ultimate wins for its extra content, while Extreme gets points for a great commentary--I have both for now...I still don't like multple special edition DVD's of the same film

one of the if not the best sequel ever!
in this sequel to the awesome original,arnold is a good guy sent back to protect john conner.another newer model of terminater comes after them.this t-1000 is made from quasi-liquid metal.it can be solid or liquid as needed.johns mom sarah decides to go and waste the dude who found the original terminaters hand and was largely responsible for the eventual takeover by the machines.this is a bit much for smaller kids.the action is incredible in this one.the first part was a indt film.this one cost 80 million dollars and made 78 million in its first weekend.it is the best of the 3 id say.if you are squeamish,you might want to go see bambi instead.belive it or not,its even emotional in a spot or 2.sara isnt a tenny bopper in this one but a dykey rambo bitch.her shrink isnt around long,but while he is,he is very obnoxious.of course he lived.it seems the guy in any movie who really needs killed,never gets it.sara deserved an award for this one.she did an awesome job playing a psycho with a lot on her mind.the message is no fate but what we make.in part 3 youll see that just isnt true,but i alredy knew that.intensity galore!sara plays a very intense character.all the action,the nukes,it freakin rocks!this is arnolds best!the special effects kick ass too.they made a 3rd.im hoping for a 4th also.but since it takes 10 years for another sequel,id better not hold my breath.and,by the way,who cares if arnolds to old.cant they find another musclehead to play some sort of new terminater?its do-able.we know it.hollywood knows it.so get off your lazy asses and make it already.i belive its about time for the big showdown between machine and man.

The Epitome of Action Films
We are all too familiar with the story of this movie, so I will spare you the details. "The Terminator" was a sleeper sci-fi hit that was a rarity in its genre. Movie-goers were beginning to see sci-fi films that rose above others in the genre and even other genres. "Alien", "Blade Runner", "Star Wars", and, the film that started the revolution, "2001: A Space Odyessy". What made "Terminator" so different was not just another bleak view of the future, but a tense, edgy thriller with some damn fine writing. But while it took an effort to make films like those, it took a greater one to make a sequel. "Aliens", "The Empire Strikes Back", and very few others accomplished this task successfully. As for "T2", unless you've been living under a rock, we all know how well it did. This is definitely the best of the series (in my opinion at least) and definitely one of the best action movies to grace the face of our planet. This is the movie that also started the trend of making action movies with ridiculously huge budgets and paying action stars ridiculously huge salaries. But T2 delivers, with a great story, stunning visuals, and Schwarzenegger in his prime. Plus who can forget Brad Fiedel's synthetic score which has been parodied numerous times?
Why another DVD though? This film has been put on DVD almost as many times as "Independence Day". Special features are somewhat reserved here, so what justifies another release? DVD producer Van Ling answers the question in a quaint little insert about how new technology has developed since the last T2 transfer. They can now present T2 the way it should be, digitally mastered from a 1080p, 24sf digital telecline transfer for "superior video and audio quality". This release of T2 is aimed toward the home theater crowd. All that confusing talk means that the picture is presented with more clarity.
And the sound is just awesome. The DTS track has been dropped from the "Ultimate Edition" in exchange for a Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround EX track and a Dolby headphone track. If you have the technology, try to watch a DVD with a DTS track whenever possible. In the case of this DVD, there's only the Dolby 5.1 EX track. But the track on this "Extreme DVD" defies both the Dolby and DTS tracks from the "Ultimate Edition". It takes full advantage of a dimensional sound field.
The goodies here are minimal; a SFX documentary, a behind the scenes montage, and a few DVD-ROM goodies that I didn't bother to try. But there is the original version of the film available to Windows Media Player 9 users on the second disc. You can watch it on the first disc as well, it's disguised as an easter egg. On the main menu of Disc 1, hit the right button five times while highlighting "Play Extended Version". There's also an enhanced mode with behind the scnes and there's a spankin new commentary by James Cameron himself.
But the question remains; is this DVD worth buying? It really boils down to what your reasons are for buying this new DVD. If you don't own the film, yes. If you're troubled by the mediocre video quality of either of the first two releases, then yes. If you want Cameron's commentary and other new supplements, yes. And if you want to playback T2 in HD on your PC (and even if you find that your computer equipment is currently insufficient for HD playback), yes. But if you want extensive behind the scenes, you might want to stick with your "Ultimate Edition". This "Extreme Edition" delivers though, despite falling short in the behind the scenes section.

awesome
okay. I just saw this movie and its the best movie ever made and james cameron is the best director ever.Now lately I keep reading all this comotion between the extreme version and the ultimate version. Well i'd pick the extreme. The reason I didnt pick the ultimate is because even though it has great quality its probley nothing close to the picture and sound on the extreme version. I also didnt pick it because its to hard to find. I picked extreme for many reasons. Lets start with the picture and sound its awesome nothing else to say. It also has an also metal case that I heard ruins the dvd inside it but still its awesome. Now as a previous reviewer said extreme dosent have the special extended edition well I dont really care {no offence to the previous reviewer who wrote that} because it only has 2 minutes of more footage {litterly} I think the scene of the t-1000 searching johns room is cool and I wouldent mind that in the movie but the special extended edition ruins the ending with a new "happy ending". Be warned its ruins the ending to the best movie ever. Even though the origian ending on the special edition is good enough. People say that the new happy ending stops a sequel. But see I dont really want to see t3 because it should have ended with t2. and finally yes i'll admit ultimate has more bonus footage extreme has a very godd amount of features as well and extreme is for the great price (...). I have nothing else to say. ... Read more

Reviews (595)

T2 eXtreme:Nice case,nice extras,AMAZING image/sound quality
This is a truly wonderful dvd. If you own a home theatre system or seek the highest quality in dvd image and sound, this is the dvd for you. The high defenition version of the film is only playable with a high-end PC, but the special edition and theatrical versions on the tv are a big improvement on the 'ultimate edition dvd'. This is due to the brand new high quality transfer. The extras aren't amazing, but their pretty good. There is a documentary on T2's effect on the film industry and an 8 minute featurette on 'Life on the Set'. There is some great new DVD-ROM content though. There's a great little morphing program which takes a while to master seeing as there are few instructions. There is also a fun T-800 'FX Studio' in which you shoot at your imported digital photos to reveal your friend's or granny's endoskull. There is also a 'Skynet Combat Chassis Designer'. I haven't a clue what this is as I haven't used it yet, but I think it's some kind of online game. I have read several reviews with complaints about the metal outer case, but I had no problem whatsoever. The only advise I can give is to push in the front and back of the sleeve when taking the inner case out. It comes out no-problemo. If I had to choose betweem the 'Ultimate Edition' and the 'Extreme edition', I'd stick with Extreme. If however, I didn't have a dolby sound system and/or a widescreen tv, I'd take the 'Ultimate' (Way more Extras) - Oh, and by the way, the movie itself is probably one of the best films ever made.

The Ultimate And The Extreme
I was upset when Artisan announced yet another version of T2 (I think this makes 3 reissues but I lost count). Why? For those of us out there, who consider ourselves DVD-Philles, most of us already own the "Ultimate Edition"of T2, which is pretty dang cool in its right. I made up my mind. I wasn't going to fall into that trap. I was burned by The Mummy and American Pie and learned the hard way-not again

Having said that...Once I heard that writer/director James Cameron and co writer William Wisher had recorded a new audio commentary for the film. I have to hand it to Artisan..this was a shrewd move. One of the minor quibbles I had with the previous release of T2, was its audio commentary. As good as it was to have a lot of contributors, the last time out, I could tell that the track was just "pieced together" from different parts of the disc. Most of the info on the track was just "lifted" This was the only downer on the "ultimate edition" The "new" is very good and worth a listen. As for the film, the 2 disc "extreme edition", has both the special extended cut, and as an "Easter Egg", the theatrical cut as well. I have to admit, the look of the T-1000 (Robert Patrick) and his morphing looks pristine, as does the original Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger). But I would also caution that the High Definition Digital transfer will only look like a real improvment if you have the equipment to handle the technology. Luckily, for me, I have a friend with an updated system, but it's still not the top of the line

As for the other extras in the set, they are just ok. There are 2 new retrospective documentaries. One one the film's ground breaking effects; The other, is a "life on the set" montage, while the film was still in production. You can also build your own Terminator and track its progress online, and rounding out the set's extras is a graphic fact track about all things Terminator.

With this edition, be warned, you lose many of the extras found on the previous edition. But the Cameron/Wisher audio commentary is still quite a draw. Mega fans of T2 should have both, while others should think carefully, Ultimate wins for its extra content, while Extreme gets points for a great commentary--I have both for now...I still don't like multple special edition DVD's of the same film

one of the if not the best sequel ever!
in this sequel to the awesome original,arnold is a good guy sent back to protect john conner.another newer model of terminater comes after them.this t-1000 is made from quasi-liquid metal.it can be solid or liquid as needed.johns mom sarah decides to go and waste the dude who found the original terminaters hand and was largely responsible for the eventual takeover by the machines.this is a bit much for smaller kids.the action is incredible in this one.the first part was a indt film.this one cost 80 million dollars and made 78 million in its first weekend.it is the best of the 3 id say.if you are squeamish,you might want to go see bambi instead.belive it or not,its even emotional in a spot or 2.sara isnt a tenny bopper in this one but a dykey rambo bitch.her shrink isnt around long,but while he is,he is very obnoxious.of course he lived.it seems the guy in any movie who really needs killed,never gets it.sara deserved an award for this one.she did an awesome job playing a psycho with a lot on her mind.the message is no fate but what we make.in part 3 youll see that just isnt true,but i alredy knew that.intensity galore!sara plays a very intense character.all the action,the nukes,it freakin rocks!this is arnolds best!the special effects kick ass too.they made a 3rd.im hoping for a 4th also.but since it takes 10 years for another sequel,id better not hold my breath.and,by the way,who cares if arnolds to old.cant they find another musclehead to play some sort of new terminater?its do-able.we know it.hollywood knows it.so get off your lazy asses and make it already.i belive its about time for the big showdown between machine and man.

The Epitome of Action Films
We are all too familiar with the story of this movie, so I will spare you the details. "The Terminator" was a sleeper sci-fi hit that was a rarity in its genre. Movie-goers were beginning to see sci-fi films that rose above others in the genre and even other genres. "Alien", "Blade Runner", "Star Wars", and, the film that started the revolution, "2001: A Space Odyessy". What made "Terminator" so different was not just another bleak view of the future, but a tense, edgy thriller with some damn fine writing. But while it took an effort to make films like those, it took a greater one to make a sequel. "Aliens", "The Empire Strikes Back", and very few others accomplished this task successfully. As for "T2", unless you've been living under a rock, we all know how well it did. This is definitely the best of the series (in my opinion at least) and definitely one of the best action movies to grace the face of our planet. This is the movie that also started the trend of making action movies with ridiculously huge budgets and paying action stars ridiculously huge salaries. But T2 delivers, with a great story, stunning visuals, and Schwarzenegger in his prime. Plus who can forget Brad Fiedel's synthetic score which has been parodied numerous times?
Why another DVD though? This film has been put on DVD almost as many times as "Independence Day". Special features are somewhat reserved here, so what justifies another release? DVD producer Van Ling answers the question in a quaint little insert about how new technology has developed since the last T2 transfer. They can now present T2 the way it should be, digitally mastered from a 1080p, 24sf digital telecline transfer for "superior video and audio quality". This release of T2 is aimed toward the home theater crowd. All that confusing talk means that the picture is presented with more clarity.
And the sound is just awesome. The DTS track has been dropped from the "Ultimate Edition" in exchange for a Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround EX track and a Dolby headphone track. If you have the technology, try to watch a DVD with a DTS track whenever possible. In the case of this DVD, there's only the Dolby 5.1 EX track. But the track on this "Extreme DVD" defies both the Dolby and DTS tracks from the "Ultimate Edition". It takes full advantage of a dimensional sound field.
The goodies here are minimal; a SFX documentary, a behind the scenes montage, and a few DVD-ROM goodies that I didn't bother to try. But there is the original version of the film available to Windows Media Player 9 users on the second disc. You can watch it on the first disc as well, it's disguised as an easter egg. On the main menu of Disc 1, hit the right button five times while highlighting "Play Extended Version". There's also an enhanced mode with behind the scnes and there's a spankin new commentary by James Cameron himself.
But the question remains; is this DVD worth buying? It really boils down to what your reasons are for buying this new DVD. If you don't own the film, yes. If you're troubled by the mediocre video quality of either of the first two releases, then yes. If you want Cameron's commentary and other new supplements, yes. And if you want to playback T2 in HD on your PC (and even if you find that your computer equipment is currently insufficient for HD playback), yes. But if you want extensive behind the scenes, you might want to stick with your "Ultimate Edition". This "Extreme Edition" delivers though, despite falling short in the behind the scenes section.

awesome
okay. I just saw this movie and its the best movie ever made and james cameron is the best director ever.Now lately I keep reading all this comotion between the extreme version and the ultimate version. Well i'd pick the extreme. The reason I didnt pick the ultimate is because even though it has great quality its probley nothing close to the picture and sound on the extreme version. I also didnt pick it because its to hard to find. I picked extreme for many reasons. Lets start with the picture and sound its awesome nothing else to say. It also has an also metal case that I heard ruins the dvd inside it but still its awesome. Now as a previous reviewer said extreme dosent have the special extended edition well I dont really care {no offence to the previous reviewer who wrote that} because it only has 2 minutes of more footage {litterly} I think the scene of the t-1000 searching johns room is cool and I wouldent mind that in the movie but the special extended edition ruins the ending with a new "happy ending". Be warned its ruins the ending to the best movie ever. Even though the origian ending on the special edition is good enough. People say that the new happy ending stops a sequel. But see I dont really want to see t3 because it should have ended with t2. and finally yes i'll admit ultimate has more bonus footage extreme has a very godd amount of features as well and extreme is for the great price (...). I have nothing else to say. ... Read more

Reviews (339)

"Come with me if you want to live..."
Before Titanic...
Before True Lies....
Before Aliens....there was The Terminator.

James Cameron's first bona fide hit, this 1984 science fiction/action thriller revived the action movie genre and provided Arnold Schwarzenegger with not only an iconic movie role but a chance to prove that he had an actor's mind as well as a bodybuilder's physique. It not only showed that Ahhnold could handle a more challenging role than Conan the Barbarian, but that he was quite capable of taking career risks.

Now that he is running for the governorship of California (and starred in many other films, including two sequels to The Terminator), it seems odd to think that Schwarzenegger was gambling his credibility (and his box office appeal) to take the role of the villain. After all, who better than this physically imposing fellow to portray the relentless cyborg sent from the future to rid the world of the woman who is destined to be the mother of humanity's future deliverer?

1984's The Terminator paints a dark vision of a machine-dominated world where hunter-killer robots and Terminators are waging a war of extinction against humanity. By 2029 A.D., however, the machines are on the verge of defeat at the hands of John Connor and his valiant troops. In a last ditch attempt to win, the Skynet computers send a single Cyberdine T-101 unit (Schwarzenegger) back to 1984 Los Angeles to dispose of John Connor's mother Sarah (Linda Hamilton).

Before the time portal breaks down forever (or at least until T2), Connor manages to send Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) back to 1984 to protect his mother-to-be. Although he is weakened by the time jump and definitely more vulnerable than his cyborg nemesis, he has an advantage that the Terminator and its masters don't; he knows what Sarah Connor looks like. This proves to be fatal for at least two other Sarah Connors in the L.A. phone book, as well as for Sarah's roommate and her boyfriend. The Terminator, only knowing the name Sarah Connors, dispatches these unlucky victims while Reese manages to reach the true target in the nick of time.

The Terminator is well-written and, although its plot is not as mind bending as Schwarzenegger's later hit Total Recall, never insults the audience's intelligence. The pace of the movie is, like the villain, full of purpose and relentless. Critics and Ahhnold bashers might scoff at Schwarzenegger's android-like mannerisms, but his very expressionless glare and the way his head swivels to follow his eyes bring the cold efficiency of a shark to mind. (And if you were wondering, this was the first movie where Ahhnold utters his now famous phrase "I'll be back.")

Brad Fiedel's effective musical score, Stan Winston's amazing make-up effects, and Cameron's directing helped make The Terminator a classic of the action/science fiction genre.

The MGM Special Edition DVD presents the movie in a digitally mastered, hi-definition transfer widescreen version with both its original mono sound track and a new 5.1 Stereo Remix. It also includes audio tracks in French and Spanish, subtitles in English, French and Spanish, and for viewers with DVD-ROM drives on their home computers, script-to-screen features. The extra features (such as deleted scenes, making-of documentaries, and trailers and TV spots) are on the other side of this double-sided disc.

A spectacular DVD and a spectacuar classic
This movie put both James Cameron and Schwarzenegger on the map back in 1984.When the movie starts,it's the year 2029 where the city of LA is basically rubble and machines/super-computers run the show in the future.Expect the fact that some humans survivers and they weren't giving up without a fight and they're led by a man named John Connor.The computers are hell-bent on exterminating the humanrace for good and the only way the computers can destory man's future is by changing the past.So they send an indestructible cyborg called the terminator(Schwarzenegger)back in time to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor(Linda Hamilton)whose unborn son will become mankind's only hope.But the Human Ressitance sent a soldier named Kyle Reese(Michael Biehn)to protect Sarah and her unborn child.The Terminator is one wild and great ride to take.The acting is great,the score is really cool,the images of the future are creepy to see and great screenplay and directing by Cameron makes The Terminator a classic adventure film to watch over and over again.The DVD is loaded with special features like a brand-new "Other Voices"Documentary with new James Cameron interviews,"The Terminator:A Retrospective"Documentary,terminated/deleted scenes,trailer,TV spots and more.The Terminator is a must have in your DVD collection.

A Humble Question
I can't say anything more than other viewers have, about what a superlative movie this was. However, let's think for a moment about Sarah Conner's roommate Ginger and her boyfriend, both of whom were murdered by The Terminator.

Ginger was constantly listening to music on her earphones (which prevented her from hearing The Terminator kill her boyfriend). Ginger had her headphones on, listening to wild rock music, even while she and her dude were in bed making love. I have to ask, how many WOMEN would tolerate such a circumstance, if a boyfriend came over and made love while listening to music on his headphones? If, like Ginger, some dude were rocking to the beat of some band on his headphones while engaging in intimate congress, how many women would feel genuine consideration from her lover at that point? How could this guy maintain any respect at all for Ginger, if she considers the headphone music equally important to his advances? (Yeah yeah yeah yeah, It's A Mistake etc etc.)

The Terminator was a great movie. And, Ginger's boyfriend was a total CHUMP... Ginger listening to her radio and so forth, while he's doing the deed with her. Just try it sometime, listening to music on your headphones while being intimate with someone else. That doesn't really fly, in the real world.

ill be back
this movie goes down in history as one of only 4 standard setting sci fi films.the 1st in 68 with 2001 a space odyssey,then in the 70s with the star wars group.then there was the ter,minater team.the only real flaw with this set is that the sequels are so far apart.its awful.i argued for years that a sequel was feesible.it was almost 10 years before the 80 million dollar sequel showed.these are wsay too good too let sit like that.i heard that arnold only has like 16 lines in the whole movie.story is this,there is this chick who mothers a boy who grows up to be the guy who saves the human race from extinction in the future.the machines send back arnold swarzanega[man,whatever]who is a cyborg to kill her before she concieves.however,the humans had stolen some of the time displacement equipment and sent back a soldier to protect her.as you can guess,a lot of people get wasted.id wait until the kids were about 12 for this one.it started out as a indy film and then hit big.there are three parts.this one,the second one with the gelatonaus terminater and the 3rd one with terrible acting but ovet the top action and effects.this is the least greatest of the three but is still awesome.it is a bit much for the squaemish.there is the mom,sara conner,in this story as a 80s style single from the punky brewster era.she gets busy with the soldier boy.you know making plastic explosives and the like.arnold gives one of his best performances even though he doesnt say much.the important message is:do not trust machines!this movie is intense!this is arnolds third best movie.after,of course the other two terminater films.the future?well,maybe by 2015 well have a 4th one and by 2040 #5 will finaly show.anyhow,id love to see one where all this stuff they keep talking about goes down with the machines trying to exterminATE the humans and the war and all.

The Terminator
This is the best Terminator movie in Arnold Schwarzenegger's retrospect. In the first film Arnold Schwarzenegger is the super cool-factor. He is handsome, masculine, super-strong, seemingly indistuctable, rebellion young appearance Terminator, but most of all, he is bad with a serious 'no body gets in my way' attitude problem.

In the second film he has the same rebellion look, he is still masculine, he looks less youthful and more middle aged, he is no longer seemingly super-strong, he is no longer seemingly indistructable, but worst of all he is no longer bad and his attitude has improved, he now has obstacles that stand in his way.

His cool-factor is completely over powered by the T-1000.
His super-strength is over powered by the T-1000.
His youth is replaced and over powered by the T-1000.
His rebellion look, doesn't seem to matter anymore, thanks to the T-1000.

The third film looks even worse for Arnold, as he is over powered by an arguably less impressive Terminator or "Terminatrix" than the T-1000. Arnold's age really does show an older man that has had his age doubled since his characters first appearance. He once again admit's he is "out-dated" and that she or "it" is a more powerful and far more effective killing machine than himself. Once again HE must struggle to survive as he is decapitated and almost dismemebered, as also with the T-1000. This truly waves his original 'nothing stands in my way' factor in to extinction, or what should I say, Termination.

You can see how they turned it around on poor Arnold, and you can see how the first original and as some would say, "the best" Terminator film puts Arnold in the ever so cool spotlight, that is taken away a couple of years later and then again over a decade later. Even with the so-called "upgraded" T-X, the T-1000 arguably proves to be the best Terminator of all time. ... Read more

Reviews (493)

It is my favorite science fiction/ horror film
Actually, this almost created a new genre; the sci-fi/horror/action-adventure that was later copied, in my eyes, by Paul Verhoven in Starship Troopers. That wasn't quite as scary, but it still had the elements to make it a sci-fi, the elements to make it a horror film, and of course, the elements to make it an action-adventure film. Need I say more?

Aliens started that kind of picture and nothing has yet come close to even equaling the masterful direction and writing (by James Cameron), the masterful acting (lets go down the list and commend Academy Award Nominee, Sigourney Weaver, Carrie Henn, portraying the child who Ripley takes in as a daughter and tries to protect throughout most of the film, even, Paul Reiser for playing the most sleazy and back-stabbing man in space, Michael Biehn for being the very reserved hero, and even, Bill Paxton as the funny, sometimes annoying character, Hudson), and lets not forget the masters behind all the technical wizardry. Stan Winston and his wonderful puppets and makeup, and Alien suits comes to mind.

You have to see this movie to understand how great, how intense and how new a film it really is.

Something rare---A sequal that's as good as the original
Aliens is a great movie.It is James Cameron's sequal to Ridley Scott's Alien.Lt.Ripley,the only survivor of the spaceship Nostromo,is picked up in deep space after being asleep for 57 years.Of course no one believes her story about the alien,and she loses her flight status.While she was asleep,the alien planet was colonized,and when they lose contact with the colonists,they send Ripley(who is understandably very reluctant)with a band of gung ho space marines(who have no idea what they're getting into)to investigate.The movie is a lot faster paced,and not as suspenseful as the first one,but there's a lot more action,and instead of one alien it has hundreds.Of course Sigourney Weaver is excellent,and the rest of the cast including Michael Biehn(who was also in James Cameron's movies The Terminator and The Abyss)as Cpl Hicks,Bill Paxton as Pvt.Hudson,Paul Reiser as bad guy Burke(he just wants the alien to take back to Earth for the weapons division,he could care less about Ripley and the marines),and Carrie Henn as Newt,a little girl who is the colony's only survivor.She brings out the maternal instincts in Ripley.(we learn in this special edition that Ripley had a daughter of her own,but she had died.)As with the first film,the special effects are excellent,(especially the enormous queen alien)and the music,this time by James Horner is just right.The special edition adds about 17 very interesting extra minutes onto the film. Overall,it's an excellent movie and one of the best sequals ever.

A must buy
One of the greatest movies ever made for the Sci-fi genre. Ignore the baseless review giving one star. Yes this is a different movie with a different director. As a note, Aliens the movie served to redefine the "aliens" into its modern day incarnation and has served as the template for the series ever since.

putrid!
This sequel to ALIEN displaces scares for "action." I got such a headache watching after the first few minutes. The killing of the aliens looked like a bunch of exploding fireballs utilizing quick-cut camera style filming, which mistakes creating confusion for creating excitement.

One Of The Best Action Sci-fi Film's Ever Made
Director James Cameron has achieved the impossible. He not only
succeeds at expertly crafting a sequel that not only lives up to
Ridley Scott's excellent original Alien, but he also goes into
a different direction and creates one of the most brilliant and
throughly exciting sci-fi action film ever made along with Term-
inator 2 Judgement Day. The story picks up where Alien left off,
Lt. Ellen Ripley (Played by the superb Sigourney Weaver) and the
orange cat Jones go into a deep sleep and are woken up fifty-seven years later. Shortly after Ripley wakes up, she starts having bad nightmares about her last experience with the acid
spitting space creature from the last film. After the colony of
LV-426 loses contact with some colonists, the corporation headed
by Carter Burke (Paul Reiser), whose actions are questionable
asks Ripley to come back and fight her fears, by leading a team
of tough marines, she eventually accepts. After getting there, she is introduced to the marines which include Hudson (the hill-
arious Bill Paxton), Vasquez (Jenette Goldstein), the restrained
Hicks (Michael Biehn), and the android Bishop (the awesome
Lance Henriksen), who does this awesome knife trick. At first
Ripley does not accept Bishop's friendship after her last encou-
nter with an android, which was Ian Holm's Ash from the first film. However, after things go awry on the planet LV-426, the
marines along with Ellen Ripley must fight the aliens and accept
Bishop's friendship. Another fascinating element of Aliens is the mother daughter relation between Ripley and Newt, who is
played by one time actress Carrie Henn. The outstanding cast is
excellent: Sigourney Weaver was so superb in her role that she
was garnered an oscar nomination for best actress, Bill Paxton
delivers a comediac performance as Hudson (Game Over Man), Michael Biehn is awesome as Hicks, Lance Henriksen is brilliant
as humane android Bishop, Carrie Henn is sweet as little girl

Newt, and Paul Reiser surprises you with what kind of character
he actually is (you won't symphatsize with him here). If you
want a film with exciting thrills, awesome action-packed enter-
tainment watch Aliens for that happens to be one of my favorite
action film's. ... Read more

Reviews (279)

not the best by james cameron
but quite the adventure for sure. it isn't james cameron's best work. i don't think it deserves five stars just because it played too much on the cold war, which just ended after the movie came out. that's all.

Incredible movie, fantastic Special Effects, Excellent Story
This was and is an excellent movie. The special effects are absolutely fantastic. Several plot lines weave together to make this movie riveting, surprising, and fast paced. Its only drawback is the length, it is over 3 hours. If you have the time then spend it on this movie, it is just well worth the investment.

Better ending, better movie
The Abyss fell into the Abyss because it was chopped to fit the time length of movie theaters, making it another ho-hum trapped-under-the-sea flick, with some aliens.

When you finally see that the world is on the verge of nuclear destruction and that the ocean-bottom aliens are fed up, that the movie makes sense and takes on an entirely epic meaning. Now it becomes a GREAT movie.

There are 2 scenes in the movie that are noteworthy, one belongs as one of Hollywood's single most powerfullest, perhaps it is THE most powerful single scene ever filmed.

That is when Mary E. M drowns herself to save her husband played by Ed Harris and he wills her back to life in a flood of tears. This scene alone, even if the rest of the movie is truncated, makes it worthwhile.

But the director's cut then shows why later on when Harris dives into the Abyss--a metaphor on life----to deactivate a nuclear bomb with no chance of getting back before his air runs out, this is the second most powerful scene.

As Harris descends, deeper, deeper, Mary E. M in tears says goodbye to her husband.

The Aliens see this unselfish courage and love and decide to give mankind a second chance. I second the motion. Real people do such things in real life.

They call of their imminent destruction by tidal waves etc.

Buy the director's cut, watch the film as it should be seen and enjoy.

Deep Sea Adventure for True Romantics
James Cameron has developed a reputation for turning out first rate action films. OK, on one level, he does that. However, if one examines his total output, it becomes obvious that the man likes love stories. I haven't been able to find one of his films that does not fit that description.

Case in point: THE ABYSS. The movie opens as a nuclear submarine is caught in the wake of an object moving at incredible speed through the water. The sub regains navigational capabilities too late to prevent disaster. Since a hurricane is on the way (Mr. Cameron does lay it on pretty thick), timely rescue from the surface is impossible, so an underwater drilling rig is dispatched to provide assistance. The crew of the rig is to be under the supervision of Navy SEALs.

Sounds like a pretty good premise for an action movie so far, doesn't it? Well, the SEALs arrive with the soon-to-be ex-wife of the drilling rig commander and the story takes a turn from that point.

I won't give away too much. Just know that I don't shed too many tears in action films as a rule. This is an exception. Get it. You won't be sorry.

When will the special editions stop?
James Cameron is clearly the Werner Herzog of today's modern action film. He never does things halfway and weather you like his films or not you have to respect his courage. I personally love "The Abyss". It's my favorite Cameron film because it typifies his work. The acting is top notch and all out heart. You never hesitate for two seconds when Ed Harris or Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio step onto the screen. That's because Cameron creates the most realistic environment for his actors to work in. If your characters supposed to be stressed then he's gonna make sure to do something that reflects that on the screen. He dosen't pull any punches and I think that's why he's such a love him or hate him kind of filmmaker. In the case of "The Abyss" I got both sides. The original film is offered on the first disc. It's a great movie about and underground oil facility that has to rescue a downed American sub. The military gets involved and like most movies that's when things go wrong. I won't go any further than to say that the film does enter "E.T." terrain. The performances are outstanding and the cinematography and effects are Cameron's typically brillant standard. The second film....well, here's the delima. Every time a special edition comes out you get a taste of the good and the bad. A lot of times the extra footage is great, but there's always that one scene that just dosen't fit and you think to yourself "That should've stayed on the cutting room floor!" With the special edition of "The Abyss" I thought I had finally found the perfect special edition. That was until the end. I won't tell you what happens but it angered me so much that I hated the rest of this film. I will say this. The last guy I need telling me that we are a waring race and that peace is the only way possible is James Cameron. This is the guy who made "True Lies" and "The Terminator". He's killed more men than Cecil B. DeMille. I know I shouldn't be angry when someone offers hope and peace to the world but I can't help but wish it wasn't Cameron. Also, like the thumbs up at the end of "T2" this was just way too sappy for me. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Best umd anounced so far
I own this on dvd but will still get it on umd.It is my favorite movie

one of the best movies ever
its scary ,got action ,a classic a great movie
... Read more

Reviews (27)

Extraordinary Photography, but Barely Passable Documentary.
"Ghosts of the Abyss" documents the 2001 expedition of the Russian research vessel Keldysh to explore and film the wreck of the R.M.S. Titanic where it has lain on the ocean floor since 1912. Director James Cameron, whose fascination with the Titanic appears undiminished since the success of his blockbuster film, joined a team of historians, scientists, engineers, and cutting-edge technicians on this first-ever attempt to penetrate the wreck. Actor Bill Paxton accompanied the crew and narrates most of this film. The crew is transported 2.5 miles into the ocean's depth in a pair of deep-sea submersibles, Mir I and Mir 2. Two small, maneuverable "bots", designed by Mike Cameron, take us inside the decaying shipwreck. The ship's exterior is illuminated by Medusa, a huge ROV containing a bank of lights that was positioned just above the wreck.

The images of the Titanic itself are extraordinary, especially those inside the ship. It was probably a mistake to superimpose modern reenactments on them, however. Bill Paxton's narration is poor. The occasional commentary by James Cameron and Charles Pellegrino is better. The modern technology used to transport the crew to the ocean floor and capture these images is interesting, but begs for more knowledgeable and organized commentary. So does the wreck, itself. The screen is too often cluttered with multiple images, which are difficult to discern. Basically, "Ghosts of the Abyss" is a poorly produced documentary on an interesting subject. But it's worth seeing for the cinematography alone, which is why I'm giving it four stars. Dubbing is available in French, and captioning is available in English.

The Extended Version: The DVD contains both the Theatrical Version, which is one hour long, and an hour-and-a-half Extended Version. Basically, there is more of the same in the extended version. For example, there are 6 additional minutes about the attempt to rescue the malfunctioning bot. If the bots interest you, this is worth seeing, but it was understandably considered extraneous to the theatrical version of the film. Subtitles are available in French, and captioning is available in English on the Extended Version.

Incredible footage, but the film sometimes loses its focus
In Ghosts of the Abyss, James Cameron returns to the watery grave of the Titanic in an effort to let the ill-fated ship tell the story of her own demise. Equipped with space age technology and twin little exploratory robots designed specifically for exploring the Titanic, Cameron and his team manage to take us into rooms unseen by human eye since April 1912. Not only do you get the theatrical version of this documentary film (albeit without the 3-D experience offered by IMAX), you also get an extended version featuring an extra half hour of material. Most people would just watch the extended version, but I wanted to get a feel for the difference the extra footage makes, so I watched both versions back to back. I was actually rather amazed to discover that the extended version is ten times better than the original - basically, all of the best material was left out of the theatrical release.

I have to admit I found Bill Paxton, the de facto narrator of the film, rather annoying at times. As he freely admits, he isn't really qualified for this type of deep-sea mission, and his giddiness and nervous humor tend to grow old pretty quickly. Like most people, I just wanted to see footage of the wreckage, not a chronicling of Paxton's anxiety over traveling to the ocean floor. I did enjoy the glimpses provided of the other crew members on the expedition, however - they are an interesting assortment of scientists, filmmakers, historians, and Russian seamen.

Ghosts of the Abyss does succeed in showing Titanic in all of her mysterious glory, and the underwater footage makes this film well worth watching. The footage obtained from the two submersible vessels floating around and above the ship is breathtaking, but the true magic happens when two specially-designed robots, Jake and Elroy, are guided (remotely) down into the ship herself. The bots move in and out of individual rooms, giving us glimpses of Colonel Smith's bathtub, ornate windows (still intact) from the main dining room, personal effects of passengers still lying where their owners left them, etc. This allows the filmmakers to further personalize the visual experience. For the first time, we are able to move down into the bowels of the ship herself and see, for example, the area where the firemen lived, worked, and died. The best footage of all can be found only in the extended version - only here, for example, can you travel down into the steerage section of the ship for the very first time. I was very surprised to see that this important and unprecedented footage was cut out of the theatrical release. If you're like me, you are also are curious about the animals you know must be calling the Titanic home, but only in the extended version will you find any footage of these mysterious, ocean-bottom dwellers.

Cameron makes extensive use of CGI in order to show the audience what we are actually looking at. You'll be watching the video footage of a certain location, and then the filmmakers will overlay pictures showing how the room would have looked back in 1912, and many times transparent, ghostly images are also overlaid over the footage. The intention is to really bring the past alive. It works to some degree, but some may see it as overdramatization. Of course, the bots steal the show. Jake and Elwood are fascinating little gizmos that become our eyes and show us the wreckage of the Titanic as we have never seen it before. One of them adds additional drama to the story by malfunctioning; the rescue mission is really the most exciting aspect of the entire film.

A second disc contains some 50 minutes of interviews and additional footage, most of which is quite interesting. I was very glad to see a feature on the "cowboys" who go out to hook the resurfaced submersibles to the surface vessel; seeing these guys work in turbulent seas is just incredible. You also get to watch a few minutes of one dive's footage from your choice of six different camera angles - you can switch back and forth between views from the submersibles, Jake and Elwood, and the submersible cabin views. All in all, this is a great DVD package, but it is not perfect. I think all of us would like to have seen more of the actual footage and a good deal less of Bill Paxton, but there is no denying the fact that Ghosts of the Abyss offers viewers the most eye-opening tour available of the proud wreckage of the Titanic.

PRETTY GOOD!
I LIKED IT ALOT!I LIKED THE MOVIE"TITANIC",MUCH BETTER,THOUGH!BUT THIS PICKS UP WHERE TITANIC LEFT OF!

NOT WHAT I EXPECTED
I WAS EXCITED WHEN IT FINALLY CAME OUT ON VIDEO .MY FRIEND BROUGHT IT OVER AND WE WATCHED IT. IT BORED THE SOCKS OFF ME .THE ONLY COOL PARTS WERE WHEN THEY FINALLY WENT DOWN TO SEE THE TITANIC . SHE'S STILL SO BEAUTIFUL AFTER ALL THESES YEARS . IT WAS MORE LIKE A DOCUMENTARY THEY NEED TO SHOW MORE OF THE TITANIC.IAM SO GLAD I DIDN'T BUT IT .

A Stunning and Unique Documentary
Years after the filming of his blockbuster motion picture, director James Cameron returns to the wreck of Titanic. It's a big expedition with a large research vessel, two deep submersibles, and two ROVs nicknamed Jake and Elwood. Actor Bill Paxton is also along, presumably to help put a human face on the difficulties of making a 12-hour dive down to Titanic laying in her grave 12,000 ft below.

I was really surprised by this film. Cameron spares us the usual filler in Titanic documentaries that spend more time on stills of the construction and controversies surrounding the great ship than they do in actually exploring the wreck. But the really stunning thing is the way Cameron blends shots of the Titanic as she appears today with how she appeared back in 1912. This makes it easier to see how Titanic looked then, and also makes us feel the loss of this then brand-new machine even more. As if this wasn't enough, Cameron then places people in the spaces on the ship, bringing home in a dramatic way the magnitude of the loss of life on Titanic. Added to this is a misadventure with one of the ROVs and Bill Paxton's ever-present anxiety. The result is an absolutely unique documentary. I'm not sure every single minute of this movie works, but in total the experience is amazing. Extras include a really neat sequence where you can shift which camera you're watching at any given moment. There's also a documentary on the "cowboys" who attach the lift line to the submersibles. The DVDs include both a 2-D version of the original IMAX 3-D movie, and an extended version that works much better.

Ghosts of the Abyss effectively shows the true scale of Titanic herself, and the magnitude of the (unnecessary) loss of life as well as the loss of a beautiful ship. This is an excellent movie. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

The Alien Quadrilogy is a nine-disc boxed set devoted to the four Alien films. Although previously available on DVD as the Alien Legacy, here they have been repackaged with vastly more extras and with upgraded sound and picture. For anyone who hasn't been in hypersleep for the last 25 years, this series needs no introduction, though for the first time each film now comes in both original and "special edition" form.

Alien (1979) was so perfect it didn't need fixing, and Ridley Scott's 2003 director's cut is fiddling for the sake of fiddling. Watch it once, then return to the majestic, perfectly paced original. Conversely, the special edition of James Cameron's Aliens (1986) is the definitive version, though it's nice to finally have the theatrical cut on DVD for comparison. Most interesting is the alternative Alien 3 (1992). This isn't a "director's cut"--David Fincher refused to have any involvement with this release--but a 1991 work-print that runs 29 minutes longer than the theatrical version, and has now been restored, remastered, and finished off with (unfortunately) cheap new CGI. Still, it's truly fascinating, offering a different insight into a flawed masterpiece. The expanded opening is visually breathtaking, the central firestorm is much longer, and a subplot involving Paul McGann's character adds considerable depth to story. The ending is also subtly but significantly different. Alien: Resurrection (1997) always was a mess with a handful of brilliant scenes, and the special edition just makes it eight minutes longer.

The Alien Quadrilogy offers the first and fourth films with DTS soundtracks, the others having still fine Dolby Digital 5.1 presentation. All four films sound fantastic, with much low-level detail revealed for the first time. Each is anamorphically enhanced at the correct original aspect ratio, and the prints and transfers are superlative. Every film offers a commentary track that lends insight into the creative process--though the Scott-only commentary and isolated music score from the first Alien DVD release are missing here.

Each movie is complemented by a separate disc packed with hours of seriously detailed documentaries (all presented in full-screen with clips letterboxed), thousands of photos, production stills, and storyboards, giving a level of inside information for the dedicated buff only surpassed by the Lord of the Rings extended DVD sets. A ninth DVD compiles miscellaneous material, including an hourlong documentary and even all the extras from the old Alien laserdisc. "Exhaustive" hardly beings to describe the Alien Quadrilogy, a set that establishes the new DVD benchmark for retrospective releases and looks unlikely to be surpassed for some time. --Gary S. Dalkin ... Read more

Reviews (187)

Forget requisite overview of all 4 and just focus on Alien3
Sure, ALIEN is a masterpiece; it's what started this saga. ALIENS was always a childhood favorite of mine, even though that damn Queen gave me nightmares. ALIEN3, however, has slowly but surely become my favorite of all of them. The 'special edition' featured in this boxset alone is worth the price of admission. Forget ALIEN RESURRECTION; it should have ended with this movie. If you're like me and consider ALIEN3 a magnificent standalone movie as well as great ALIEN movie, then you'll love this fully realized workprint version. I have minor problems with it, ones I'd love to see fixed (re-release another DVD of just ALIEN3, Fox!):

1. Bring back the necessary actors to improve on the ADR that's kinda scratchy in some of the restored scenes.
2. Update the CGI; get WETA or somebody to redo the alien and Ripley's suicide plunge :)
3. Put back in the 30 minutes that was cut out of the 'Making of' featurette (for those of you who don't know, it was originally called "Wreckage and Rape: The Making of Alien 3"... go to digitalbits.com for more info)
4. And don't forget.... DTS SURROUND SOUND!!!

Yeah, that'll probably never be done... but hey, who knows? I'll keep my fingers crossed :) Otherwise, I'll just watch all the discs in this boxset over and over (except RESURRECTION). BUY IT TODAY!

THE ULTIMATE ALIEN BOX SET!!!
What more could you ask for! The perfect box set! Any science fiction fan would love to have it!!!
MY RATINGS RANGE FROM 1-5, 5 being the highest, 1 being the lowest.

DISK 1: ALIEN
RATING: Theatrical Release-****
Director's Cut-*****
DIRECTED BY: RIDLEY SCOTT
Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) with 5.1 DTS Audio.

Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerrit, Veronica Cartwright

Disk 1 contains the Theatrical Version (117 min) and the 2003 Director's Cut Version (137 min). Of course I would pick the Director's Cut. It contains footage that was never seen in the Theatrical Version. We also get Commentary with Ridley Scott and crew. We also get anamorphic menus.
Overall Alien is a Kick-Butt film that is scary and suspenseful!

DISK 2: Alien Special Features
Rating:*****

Disk 2 contains these wonderful special features that you will love to watch over and over! Nine brand new in-depth featurettes on the Making of Alien. Such as Creature Design, On Location, Casting, etc., deleted and Extended Scenes, Sigourney Weaver screen test, and more!!!

DISK 3: ALIENS
Rating: Theatrical Version-****
Special Edition-*****
DIRECTED BY: JAMES CAMERON
Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1)

Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Lance Henricksen, Jenete Goldstein, Carrie Henn, Bill Paxton

Disk 3 contains the Theatrical release (137 min) and the Special Edition (154 min). The Special Edition I think is the best. A whole lot of never before seen footage was used to pack this Special Edition. Don't forget the commentary. Overall Aliens is an action packed thrill ride!!!

DISK 4: Aliens Special Features
Rating:*****

Disk 4 contains many mind blowing features!!! 11 brand new Featurettes!!! Including Weapons, Creature Design, On Location, Casting, and more! Everyone will love these featurettes!
They Will Blow Your Mind!!!

DISK 5: Alien 3
Rating: Theatrical Version-***
Special Edition-***1/2
DIRECTED BY: DAVID FINCHER
Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen (2.85:1)

Starring: Sigourney Weaver, David Fincher, Charles S. Dutton, Lance Henricksen

Disk 5 contains the Theatrical Version (114 min) and the Special Edition (155 min). I am not too big of a fan of this sequel. I think it's the oddball. I like the Special Edition the best. But in the special version when Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) jumps into the fire to keep the alien inside her from surviving, it doesn't show it burst out of her. In the original version it showed the alien burst out of her! And it didn't in the S.E.
We also get commentary with director and crew.
Overall this movie was average. Some of the computer generated alien effects were very fake looking.

DISK 6: Alien 3 Special Features
Rating:*****

Disk 6 contains 11 featurettes for this average movie.
Storyboards, still galleries, and much more!

DISK 7: Alien Resurrection
Rating: Theatrical Version-****
Special Edition-****1/2
DIRECTED BY: JEAN-PIERRE JEUNET
Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) with 5.1 DTS Audio

Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Winona Ryder, Ron Perlman

Disk 7 contains the original and S.E. I guess I would have to go with the S.E. even though it only had 10 minutes added. It also contains commentary. Overall Alien 4 was pretty good. Great computer generated effects!!! Loved the Aliens!!!

DISK 8: Alien Resurrection Special Features
Rating:*****

Disk 8 contains 12 featurettes! First Draft screenplay by Joss Whedon, still galleries, and much more!!!

DISK 9: MORE BONUS FEATURES
Rating:*****

Disk 9 includes...
Theatrical Trailers and TV Spots for each Alien film
Comicbook Gallery
"Aliens in the Basement" Featurette
DVD-ROM (Script-to-Screen)

OVERALL: THIS BOX SET IS PERFECT!!! THE BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN!
EXELLENT BONUS FEATURES FOR CLASSIC MOVIES!!!

Superb
Though I did not become a fan of the Alien Saga until the Sequel Aliens. The first Alien movie did not do it for me and was just to plain and boring. But in the Sequel aliens with the MArines and all the shooting, not to mention the aliens were a little more scary looking and more aggressive, not to mention there were about 1,000,000 of them compared to the one little alien in the first movie. Aliens 3 was okay not as good as Aliens 2 but it was not a bad flick, but again there was only one alien and no guns to combat it with. Aliens Ressurrection was darn good with the guns and the way how they explain Ripley's return when she died in th third film, lots of shooting and lots of aliens, but was not as good as Aliens 2 although it did come close to being as good as aliens 2. Overall Aliens Quadrilogy is a must get although I find the first alien film relatively boring, it still is a must get particulary just to complete the collection, but other than that the remaining three are excellent jaw dropping thrillers worth watching over and over again.

the ultimate edition of the Alien saga
If you are a fan of the Alien saga, or a buyer of blockbuster movies, you must have this collection. Not only are the extras (see the Amazon review by Dalkin for all the technical details including; documentaries, commentaries, storyboards, illustrations and post-production notes) what you would expect from any serious DVD package these days, you also get two versions of each movie.

It is an interesting exercise to compare the different versions of each film. Alien Resurrection isn't altered much, and the director's cut of Alien is inferior to the theatrical version. Cameron's director's cut of Aliens enhances the original while a special edition version of Alien 3 (not endorsed by Fincher) is worth having, despite some flaws with sound and overall quality.

Some reviews have criticised the packaging and quality of the DVD's. My DVD's were in perfect condition with no scatches or glitches while playing. These complaints may be related to a certain batch, and couldn't possibly be typical of the product.

While the packaging isn't brilliant, these criticisms should not disuade any prospective buyer. If you take care it should last. But really, who buys a DVD package for the cardboard?

As I wrote above, if you are a fan of the series you must have this product. I also recommend collectors of box sets to invest in this superior product. I doubt the Alien saga box set can or will be improved upon in the future. This is the ultimate edition, despite a slightly cheap package.

oh my god
It does not get better then this folks. This box set is so damm cool and all four movies are great in their own way. The extras are okay but the extended versions is why you should buy this. 2 versions of all four movies on each disc. The box is very cool done but the case where the DVDs are held is poorly done. Buy this if you like alien movies or horror in general. ... Read more

Reviews (279)

THIS is why you should own a DVD player!
Few other "Special Edition" discs get you as intimately familiar with a film and the film-making process as this new DVD does, though the laser disc collector's edition of TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY comes awful close. Now you fortunate DVD-player owners can get for about $30-$40 dollars what we laser disc owners shelled out $100 for years ago, plus more. A heart-pounding movie, beautifully and intricately shot under nearly impossible circumstances (it wasn't nicknamed "The toughest shoot in film history" for nothing). Part military action thriller, part love story, and all impressive, THE ABYSS SPECIAL EDITION on DVD gives you both the theatrical version and expanded version of the movie (even the laser disc only had a one-version option), documentaries (the longer one is not to be missed), and enough bonus features to monopolize your entire day. It can really take the whole afternoon and evening to see it ALL. Granted, at 171 minutes the expanded version is a bit cumbersome at times, but by then you are so engrossed you don't mind. We've all seen good-looking special effects movies undermined by a so-so script or lame acting. But THE ABYSS delivers where it counts -- solid performances and an often tense script. This is the version to own. All other versions and formats of this film pale in comparison - even the expensive laser disc version. For what you'll pay for this disc you get much more than your money's worth. This collection sets a new standard for discs with bonus features. And if you enjoyed THE MATRIX for how it took full advantage of your surround-sound system, this disc will also please. Make sure your subwoofer is turned on.

"The Abyss"
The Abyss (PG-13) 5/5
Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Biehn, Leo Burmester, Todd Graff.
Directed by James Cameron.
Synopsis: A deep sea oil rig crew is recruited to investigate a submarine crash, but something unknown resides in the abyss.
Special Features: Original Theatrical and Extended Versions of the Film, Feature Length Commentary for Both Versions, Filmographies.
Review: One of my all time favorite films. An oil rig crew is joined by a military team to investigate a mysteriously downed sub. As they descend into the abyss they begin to realize they may be the only humans down there, but they are not alone. Sci-fi has never been better this deep social commentary was originally cut by hack producers thus again proving they know jack about films. Know it is restored in its originally intended glory. Ed Harris is as always fantastic, Mastrantonio is great, and Biehn has fun with his bad guy role. The rest of the crew excels too. Cameron is in his staple genre and he directs to perfection. As for the DVD? Should've bought the 5-star collection. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! This is a solid disc, but really this is one film worth the extra cash.

What is this digipak version?
This digipak edition DVD does NOT have a 5.1 soundtrack. The picture remains letterboxed, not anamorphic, and it still carries the THX certification, though it is not marked so on the box. If you can, obtain the original Special Edition release in plastic case with black cover, it has the 5.1 soundtrack. If, like me, you are still waiting for the proper anamorphic release of The Abyss, this is NOT IT, it is simply an inferior repackaging.

Beautifully made, a little dramatic
I always had The Abyss on my to-see list and now I finally have. I was not dissapointed for it feels a little like an underwater 'Close Encounters'. The effects are great, the water space aliens are wonderful and the first time view of the underwater city is breathtaking.

The morale of the movie is bad. Americans and Russians are screwing up the world so the aliens try to prevent it. 'Can't we all just get along!?' is what they want for us, then things will turn to better.

Industrial Light and magic did a great job again in this 1989 movie, it's worth seeing for SF fans.