A blog about Arts & Entertainment.
Real Name: JUSTIN BELL Member Since: March 14, 2006 Last Signed In: May 23, 2009 Profile Views: 9 Blog Views: 63 Terminator Salvation opens not with a bang, but a whimper. May 09 June 09 July 09 August 09 September 09 October 09 November 09 December 09 January 10 February 10 March 10 
RSS 2.0    Share!
|
|
|
Terminator Salvation opens not with a bang, but a whimper.
Is there such a thing as too much Terminator? The 15 year old franchise opened its fourth major film, Terminator Salvation, last night at midnight to limited fanfare. Unlike the first two summer blockbusters, Wolverine and Star Trek, the long lines of rabid fans were absent from the opening showing of the latest Terminator installment. Perhaps it was an early Wednesday midnight opening leading into an extended weekend, the lack of history that Wolverine and Star Trek clearly have, or that disappointing third movie in the series that kept people away. It couldn't have been Christian Bale's now infamous rant could it? Whatever it was, the Bakersfield crowd was much more subdued leading into Salvation. Even I was not as excited to see this continuation, but I was open-minded. Aside from his tirade and family problems, Christian Bale is quite an exciting actor, one of Hollywood's brightest stars. I would argue that there are not many actors willing to give so much of themselves to a role. Witness 2004's The Machinist and Bale's 62 pound weight loss and just try and question his commitment. That said, this is a Terminator movie, so the special effects alone should make it a worthwhile venture. If Terminator Salvation is anything, it is fun and exciting.
The acting and plot were nothing exceptional, and the plot, not really that unique, but the action and special effects really carried this movie. We join John Connor in the year 2018, now in a full-fledged war with the machines of Skynet. While Connor is widely seen as a pariah, not everyone is quick to follow. The leaders of the human resistance don't all share the belief that Connor is the key to victory (think about the council in The Matrix Reloaded). When John finds out his father Kyle Reese, currently a teenager, is marked as the number one Skynet target, he sets out to find and save him, because if he doesn't Kyle won't be able to travel back in time and impregnate his mother. Wrap your head around that. Of course, he could never do it alone.
Terminator Salvation reiterates that a human alone can't destroy Skynet. It will of course take the help of a Terminator, in this case, Marcus Wright, a part-human part-terminator. As the wobbly plot continues toward its dénouement, we get to see a number of explosions, human bodies and Terminator bodies flying around. Although there are a couple of fun surprises along the way, there isn't much new to this film and no memorable catch phrases. Salvation is not going to save the franchise, but it's certainly leagues ahead of its predecessor, Terminator 3. If you're hungry for more futuristic robot action, great special effects, and a slew of new Terminator vehicles, go see it, it plays well on a big screen, just don't expect too much character development or fresh plot ideas.
Is there such thing as too much Terminator? Probably not. After all, there is a whole planet of Skynet led technology to fight, so it's safe to say, Terminator "will be back".
3 comments from 3 users
1
posted by
motopoet
on May 23, 2009 at 02:38 PM
Star Trek and Star Wars figured out a way to create great films without the original star actors, but Terminators without Arnie have ALL sucked! posted by
markingram
on May 23, 2009 at 03:32 PM
(Spoiler alert!) This final installment of Terminator was a real yawner. Save your money or go see Star Trek. The only part of the movie I found to be worthwhile was the resistance movement from Bakersfield assisting with destroying Skynet and nuking San Francisco. Where do I sign up? posted by
catpaw
on May 24, 2009 at 11:53 AM
One would think that SF & Fantasy is the easiest genre to write because it is the least restrictive on imagination. That is, I think, one of the most deceptive assumptions a writer or producer can fall into. A common denominator of classic science fiction and fantasy is that it maintains a situation people can identify and relate. By "classic" I mean something that stands the test of time. Star Wars, in my opinion, has met the test. So has the Trek franchise. Books turned to movies have not fared as well. War of the Worlds the book is a good read. War of the Worlds the movies don't carry the same message (or any message). I'd also recommend Frankenstein the book to any young reader. The movies are not comparable, though some are better than others. Hollywood has yet to realize that body count, explosions, and special effects do not a movie make.
1
 Loading Stories
Advertisement |