Terminator Salvation Review

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"Terminator Salvation" reviews

Movie

Terminator Salvation

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2009-07-27 21:21:49

Rating

3.5/5

Provider

CinemaSource

Review

WHAT IT'S ABOUT?

In this fourth installment of the durable Terminator series, the year is 2018, and a nuclear holocaust has effectively ended civilization as we knew it. With Terminators snapping up what little remains of the human race, a small group of survivors have gone underground in an effort to battle the controlling organization Skynet, which shocked the world by triggering the apocalypse. Standing up against all odds is John Connor, the one man who knew this was going to happen, and Marcus Wright, a death-row inmate who's about to be executed when he's given a new lease on life by Dr. Serena Kogan, a scientist with big plans for this dead man walking. Though Connor is highly suspicious of Kogan's creation, he forms a precarious bond with the resuscitated Marcus as the two search for a way to infiltrate and conquer a very imposing enemy.

WHO'S IN IT?

Let's start by stating who isn't in Terminator Salvation: Arnold Schwarzenegger, star of the three previous installments, is busy in Sacramento, so except for his brief reappearance via the miracle of CGI, this is a whole new ballgame. Taking on a beloved movie franchise — just as he did in 2005's Batman Begins — Christian Bale steps into the adult shoes of John Connor, who was previously portrayed in T2 and T3 by Edward Furlong and Nick Stahl, respectively. As the one key link to the entire series, Bale's Connor is intensely serious and dedicated to the task at hand — even though he's vastly outnumbered. As Marcus Wright, Sam Worthington gets to play both sides of the coin as a hybrid of human and machine, delivering the most unique and convincing performance yet seen in the series. Both Bale and Worthington carry on this legendary series in style, but it's Worthington who gets the big scenes, bringing an ironic element of humanity to the whole enterprise. Also noteworthy: Helena Bonham Carter as the doctor who creates a modern version of Frankenstein's Monster; Anton Yelchin as future time-traveler Kyle Reese, Moon Bloodgood as Resistance warrior Blair Williams; and rapper Common as Connor's second-in-command.

WHAT'S GOOD?

Director McG (Charlie's Angels) tackles the daunting task of carrying on this series without its signature star and pulls it off with first-rate action set pieces, flawless production values and a fascinating new wrinkle in Marcus Wright, a character at odds with himself as well as John Connor. In the time-honored tradition of a classic cinematic showdown, these are no ordinary heroes. They're conflicted warriors faced with a task that is truly overwhelming in its scope.

WHAT'S BAD?

With such a strong story, the filmmakers probably didn't have to resort to so many motorcycle flips, explosions, and truck and plane chases — not to mention a pulsating soundtrack that's amped up so high you may need earplugs. But with so much excitement on the screen, it doesn't really matter. Action fans will be wetting their pants.

MEMORIES OF THE GOVERNATOR:

Arnold appears briefly (in the nude, no less) in what appears to be a CGI pastiche of his classic character. But don't blink, or you'll miss him.

FAVORITE DIALOGUE:

Terminators won't die, and neither will its signature line. When Blair asks Connor what she should tell his men after he's gone, he replies in earnest: "I'll be back!"

NETFLIX OR MULTIPLEX?

It will be movie theaters' OWN salvation this summer.

Hollywood.com rated this film 3 1/2 stars.

Movie

Terminator Salvation

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2009-05-26 10:56:03

Rating

2.5/5

Provider

Review

What's it about?

In 2018, the human resistance, including a battle-hardened John Conner (Christian Bale) is raging war against the machines. On the eve of a crucial attack, Conner must infiltrate Skynet to rescue his future father with the help of mysterious stranger, Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington).

Is it any good?

Such is the legacy of first two Terminator movies that any new film baring its name must live up to certain standards. After 2004’s disappointing 'Rise of the Machines', 'Charlie's Angels' director McG has been given the task of proving there is life after Judgment Day. Unfortunately for James Cameron fans, it is something he fails to achieve. From the ham-fisted script to the sometimes baffling lack of detail, Salvation has none of the ingenuity or invention of the original films.

As a stand-alone action movie it still fails to deliver. Most of the explosive set-pieces are handled competently but innovation is sorely lacking. McG seems more interested in referencing classics such as 'Bladerunner', 'Mad Max' and 'War of the Worlds', than creating anything original.

Bale again adopts his gruff-voice action persona as the new, improved John Conner, while Worthington is effective as troubled death row inmate Marcus Wright. Bryce Dallas Howard is wasted as Conner's wife, simply on screen to provide some shallow emotional context to proceedings. The film’s problems are only exacerbated by a baffling final act, which leaves the viewer with more questions than answers.

The woeful diversion the script takes is further compounded by a desperate attempt to involve the man synonymous with the previous three films. The inclusion of Arnold Schwarzenegger feels shoe-horned at best and at worst, an embarrassing attempt to force the movie to fit the franchise.

Verdict

A massive disappointment, carrying on from where Terminator 3 left off. So confused and lacking in any soul, McG has a huge task to recover the series for parts five and six.

- Tim Burnett