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Terminator 2: which version to watch - Theatrical vs Special vs Extended?

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Hello, I am gonna watch T2 for the first time not from a TV broadcast as was wondering what the best version is. I keep getting mixed reactions for what versions I should watch… I also saw this too and a whole bunch of others.

https://forum.fanres.com/thread-588.html

Fate is best Anime/Visual Novel.

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Start at the beginning.

Original 1991 theatrical release first. If you enjoyed that, then treat yourself to the 1993 SE, and if you also liked that, spoil yourself with the *extended SE cut (a home video exclusive), that can be accessed by a code. The code (Judgement Day date) should be provided somewhere on the disc packaging.

  • This cut is the same as the 1993 SE version - but with two additional scenes.
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i know some versions have wax looks

Fate is best Anime/Visual Novel.

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By “wax looks” I think you’re referring to the latest Blu-ray edition from 2017, whici was overly DNRed (for the 3D conversion), and only the theatrical cut was restored. It also contains the extended versions, whose footage was ported from the previous Blu-ray editions which, while not having the 2017 transfer waxxy look, are not really demo-worthy material (but still watchable I guess).
And I think you can start with the theatrical cut, just as Slavicuss said 😃

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The 2015 Blu-Ray is solid, probably the best one out there and it has both cuts on the disc.

I used to like the extended cut but over time I’ve come to prefer the pacing of the theatrical. One of these days I’d like to do a hybrid cut with just a couple of extended cut scenes restored…

(FYI I’m talking about the primary extended cut; the Easter Egg one has the cheesy alternate ending, I think.)

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Apparently the latest T2 Blu-ray “remastered” release has some censorship:

https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=642906

I hate the depressing frequency with which digital re-releases lead to digital censorship. Are the old “non-remastered” versions of the film preserved already?

“That Darth Vader, man. Sure does love eating Jedi.”

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ChainsawAsh said:

The 2015 Blu-Ray is solid, probably the best one out there and it has both cuts on the disc.

I used to like the extended cut but over time I’ve come to prefer the pacing of the theatrical. One of these days I’d like to do a hybrid cut with just a couple of extended cut scenes restored…

(FYI I’m talking about the primary extended cut; the Easter Egg one has the cheesy alternate ending, I think.)

The second extended cut has the deleted scene in John’s bedroom, with the T-1000, and the Michael Jackson reference/Planet of the Apes make-up for Linda Hamilton alternate ending.

I don’t like the deleted scene where John Conner is trying to teach the Terminator how to smile - Schwarzenegger looks like a horse.

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The theatrical cut wins. I think I watched both extended versions once, and it was enough. Usually there is a reason why things get cut.

And in the time of greatest despair, there shall come a savior, and he shall be known as the Son of the Suns.

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I like the version without the DVNR and newly added edits with cgi that was done for the 3D re-issue.
It would be ideal if the theatrical blu ray had the original color timing and original audio mix.
I prefer the old 2K master over the 4k because the 4k is horrible.

Both T1 and T2 remasters have a horrible new teal to them. They never looked like that.