I had the same problem with mine, I have also had problems with Private Ryan, Gladitor, and Scary Movie.
On the gladitor DVD, I dont know if its the same scene as your having problems with, but its when maximus is done fighting after he has been captured, and that old dude is telling him about Rome or something, then it freezes for several seconds, then it starts again and you see the gladitors in the carrage heading out to the collisum.
I have not sent mine back to sony for repairs, but I have noticed that the only time my dvd skips scenes is when its in the vertical position. Once I make more room and set it flat down the DvD seems to work alot better.
If your friends ps2 is in the vertical position, try this and see if there is any difference.