MGM Home Video has issued this Arnold action film as a special edition, which broke the "nice guy" image for the Austrian born actor and made him a star. Costarring with Linda Hamilton and Michael Biehn, this science fiction thriller has been called a modern classic and now comes to DVD with a new soundtrack, with extras including commentary from Cameron. Although there is no audio commentary from Cameron during the film, this special edition contains many extras from the filmmaker in the extras you will not want to miss.

Arnold is transported to 1980's Los Angeles in search of Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton). He is to find her and kill her. He is a cyborg terminator unit from the future, who dominate the world after World War III. Sarah Connor's yet unborn son leads a resistance unit fighting their control of the world. The Terminator is sent back in time to change the past so that Sarah's son can not be born. When he arrives through a time portal, he is naked and quickly gets covered by ripping out the heart of a street punk. Look for a very quick, small role from Bill Paxton (Titanic, Twister) as one of the other punks he encounters. Soon another being transports through the time portal (Michael Biehn), who's job is to stop Arnold from his killing rampage, and to protect Sarah Conner. When he finally does find her, she is hiding out in a downtown nightclub, about to be Arnold's next victim. The rest of the film is basically Biehn and Hamilton running and hiding from Arnold until they can find a way to stop him. This is one of the best action film's in Arnold's career. He takes on the role of cold blooded killer with relish and has many memorable lines. My favorite scene is at the police station, where Connor is being held for protection. The famous line" I'll be back" is uttered by Arnold before he smashes his vehicle into the police lobby and then completely destroys the station in search of Connor.

Picture-I've seen this film on television many times and it always looked a bit cheap and worn. However, MGM has done a wonderful job with this new, high definition transfer. The picture is as sharp as it can be and color is restored to original filmscreen quality. The picture is also clean and free of dust and other flaws. The special effects used on the film were state of the art in 1984, with many model shots of future world tanks and battle craft, fighting Biehn and the resistance. The introduction of first person view ( from the eyes of the Terminator), complete with infrared vision and data readouts is another visual treat in scenes. When Arnold gets nicked from his many battles, he repairs himself in a scene in a shabby hotel room, which was created with an animatron puppet likeness of the actor's face. This same technique is used in one of Arnold's other action film' s (Total Recall) when he arrives on Mars. Sound-A remixed, state-of-the-art 5.1 soundtrack breathes new life into the thriller. The miniature models in some scenes pulse with power and are far more realistic with the addition to the powerful soundtrack. Purists of the film can also listen to the original mono soundtrack, which is an audio option. The new soundtrack adds an entire new dimension to the action scenes and is a big plus for the DVD.

This is a special edition and does not disappoint, although a full feature commentary is missing. We do get two new documentaries on the film, with interviews from all the cast and James Cameron on how important this film was for all their careers. These are not featurettes but full length documentaries; "Other Voices" a new documentary is more than an hour featuring not only cast and crew, but special effects wizard Stan Winston and producer Gale Hurd. A shorter 20 minute "Retrospective" with Arnold and Cameron was video taped in 1986. Cameron's first major film, after working with Roger Corman and his company for many years was a dream come true. Actually, a nightmare, as Cameron first came up with the idea for the film in a feverish dream in a hotel in Paris. There are a number of deleted scenes that are shown, along with Cameron's commentary on why they were deleted. Cameron and company affectionately call the film "guerilla" filmmaking as they recall how some scenes were put together. We are also treated to Cameron's original vision of the Terminator, as he drew the conceptual art for the film himself. Originally, he wanted Arnold to play the good guy but after meeting with him for lunch to discuss the part, they both wanted Arnold to play the bad guy, even though Arnold was advised that the part would be a bad move for his career. There's more-you get three versions of the screenplay-the original, the 1983 4th draft and the final shooting script. These are available on the extras side of the disc and can be viewed one screen at a time. The DVD-ROM features on the film side include a side by side comparison of the script while you view the film in a smaller window. You can also print out the script with this feature. Of course, trailers and television spots are also included in this package. There are some Easter eggs-I didn't have time to find them-let me know where they are when you do!

For those who were disappointed with this DVD the first time out, your prayers have been answered. This is a deluxe package sure to tempt every Terminator fan. Besides an excellent transfer of the original picture and remixed EX 5.1 sound, one whole side contains over two hours of extras that will keep you busy for a long time.