Terminator Salvation, a review by Dragonfire
I went to see Terminator Salvation today. I wasn't sure what to expect from it, but since I've seen the previous three movies and enjoyed what I've seen of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles I decided to see it.
In 2018, the resistance is still fighting against Skynet and the machines. John Connor is an important member of the resistance and he's determined to defeat Skynet. Marcus Wright, a mysterious man, turns up and ends up involved in what is going on. Marcus meets Kyle Reese and then later meets John and other members of the resistance. Marcus is a bit different and John has to decide if he can trust him or not.
My Thoughts
First of all, it is just weird to see a Terminator movie without Arnold having a main role as a Terminator - either one bent on destruction or the reprogrammed version.
The movie is a bit different from the others and even the tv show since in those, a Terminator was being sent back in time to eliminate John. This time, just about everything takes place in the future after judgment day. Things aren't exactly like John expected, but Skynet is still in control and trying to eliminate the remaining humans. It is interesting to see the future and see some focus on John as an adult. Some of the machines that were mentioned in previous movies - like the hunter killers - are shown. I think they looked the same. Some other machines are around that I don't remember being mentioned before that worked well with the story.
The plot is interesting and has a few different things going on, but it isn't that complex. The plot really isn't as strong as previous plots have been, though it still manages to be entertaining. Most things are resolved by the end of the movie while also leaving some things open for future movies. I've already heard that the producers want to make 2 more movies. The action scenes are fine, though nothing special. The violence is relatively tame thanks to the PG-13 rating instead of R like the previous movies received. For all the shooting going on, few people get hit and there is practically no blood loss. At one point, someone receives a major injury with basically no blood loss at all. It somehow seems weird for a Terminator movie to be rated PG-13...Sort of like how I felt about Live Free or Die Hard being rated PG-13 instead of R.
There are a few references to things from the first movies. John has the picture of Sarah that Kyle had in the first movie. John also listens to the tapes Sarah made for him. Kyle's importance is touched on, though most of the characters have no idea why John says that Kyle is important. I did like the few references to the previous movies that I noticed. I didn't pick up on anything that had been mentioned in the television show, though I haven't seen all the second season episodes. There is no indication that the connection to Kyle that the show came up with exists in the movie. The first of the T-800s is seen by the end of the movie. Some sort of computer effects gave the T-800 Arnold's face.
The cast does a good job with their parts overall even though there isn't a lot of development for any of the characters, even John. Kate, introduced in the third movie, is back though in a smaller part. She is still important, it just would have been nice if she has been around a little bit more. It is nice to see more of Kyle, but it is also a bit odd to see him so young. Marcus is a very interesting addition. Most of the questions about him are answered - and I really wasn't surprised by the answers - but I still have a few that were left unanswered.
I did get a review posted on Epinions if anyone wants to take a look.
Terminator Salvation(From Terminator Salvation on May 22nd, 2009)
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May 17, 2024, 10:09:37 PM
