It's ironic that the fourth movie installment in the Terminator franchise opens the same week as the television series, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, was officially cancelled by FOX. But it also highlights the reason why the movies were successful and the series was not: fans want to experience big-budget robotic action. And Terminator Salvation will not disappoint there. Set in the year 2018, the evil Skynet is preparing a devastating final attack designed to eliminate the human resistance forces once and for all -- using some familiar old-school robots, but also plenty of advanced models sure to give you a thrill ride.
An adult John Connor (Christian Bale) struggles to head up the resistance, but is shaken by the sudden appearance of a mysterious stranger named Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington). Unable to determine whether Marcus is a friend or foe, Connor begins to wonder whether there is any hope left for the human race as Skynet grows more powerful and aggressive than ever before. Anton Yelchin rounds out the cast as a young Kyle Reese in what is planned to be a new Terminator trilogy from director McG (Charlie's Angels).
Fans looking for this film to be Bale's to carry alone may be disappointed to learn that Worthington's screen time is nearly equal. And some critics and movie-goers may not be excited about the film's dark tone. But how could the mood be any different in a post-Judgment Day world? This new edition is not perfect, but neither were the previous three films. Sure there are some holes in the plot, but most summer blockbuster movies have them. I, for one, find myself already longing to see the next installment.
Grade: B+
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
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Did we see the same movie? It was a bad joke. The ending is meaningless and trite and was only written to reinforce a them that didn't make sense in the movie. There are so many flaws with this movie that it was a waste of five hours of my life. The three hours waiting to get in and the two hours of the movie. They have clear inaccuracies from the first Terminator movie. They can't figure out if Terminator Arnold should be a buff robot or the standard thin robot, as he was in the original. You can't play a radio because the machines will instantly attack and humans have been eradicated to the point of small pockets hiding out, yet they come and go in helicopters and hang out in hangers, all except the leaders of course. There is a line that people don't go out at night because the machines have infrared. In the first Terminator they went out at night because they wouldn't be spotted. These people have helicopters and fighter jets still but they don't have nightvision googles? The machines pick up on infrared so we are going to light a big bond fire? Yes, there are a lot of great special effects, but that's all this movie is, special effects and a heavy handed theme that Michael Bay beat over the audience's head in an absurd, nonsensical fashion. It deserves a C- at best.
ReplyDeleteMichael Bay? And sure there were some inaccuracies...there are a lot of details in The Terminator mythology, and of course there will be some mistakes. It could've been better, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteHuh...a C-, anonymous poster? You have to remember that reviews match the genre: summertime popcorn action fluff. I see most of the critical reviews being released are in the B-/2.5 stars range. So this review is not too far off. I saw it and would say a B myself.
ReplyDeleteI liked it, but hoped to see more of terminator arnold action.
ReplyDeleteThe movie was a 4 out of 10 AT BEST... The Series was EASILY a 8-10. The original Terminator films had what 4 lacked... a great plot and great characters... 4 has NOTHING worthy of the Terminator franchise, 3 was a better film.
ReplyDeleteSam Worthington was absolutely amazing as Marcus Wright! He was my favorite character in the entire movie. The movie was pretty good. Great effects, but plot could have been so much better!
ReplyDeletewhat a great movie, non stop and my 9 year old could not even get out of his seat for one scene... I will see it again with nmy wife to stop all the questions!!!!!!!!!!
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