Terminator Salvation Doesn't Disappoint
May 30th 2009 21:49
I am a been a big fan the "Terminator" series. The original "Terminator" gave us California Governor Arnold Schwartzenegger as the cyborg assassin, T800. Sent back to kill the Sarah Connor, mother to be of John Connor, future leader of the resistance, Schwartznegger was fantastic as the emotionless, unstoppable machine. The original, released in 1984 was a low budget film but it broke box office records. The idea that machines could become "self aware" and turn on their creators didn't seem as unlikely as it once might have seemed. Technology was making huge advances and the idea of a killing machine that looked human was a little more plausible than some of us might like to admit. When the T800 said the memorable line "I'll be back." it sent a little shiver down our spines. We knew that he would be back and that Sarah Connor was still at risk.
The Terminator did come back, seven years later in "Terminator 2:Judgment Day". This time he is the "good cyborg". His mission is to protect John Connor, future leader of the resistance from an even more more advanced cyborg, the T-1000, portrayed by Robert Patrick. The second movie was filled with amazing special effects which were unlike any I had seen before. And the action scenes were filled with breathtaking stunts. Linda Hamilton portrayed Sarah Connor in both movies and in this one was the perfect paranoid, just because you're crazy doesn't mean there really ISN'T someone after you, revolutionary. WE know she isn't crazy. Her son is starting to realize that even though everyone TELLS him his mother is crazy, she really isn't. But everyone else still thinks that she is and that he is responsible for the death of his foster parents (who were killed by the T-1000).
In "Terminator 3: The Rise of the Machines" the young John Connor (Nick Stahl) meets Kate Brewster (Clare Danes) who eventually becomes his wife. Once again, a cyborg is sent back from the future to kill both Connor and Kate Brewster. And again, Schwartzenegger is sent back as the "good" cyborg to help protect Connor and Brewster. This is my least favorite of the Terminator movies. I enjoyed it but I thought it lacked something that the other two delivered. An edge that kept me locked in my seat for the duration, squirming because going to the ladies room was just not an option. It's taken me several viewings and some research and I think I agree with someone who commented on IMDB. What this movie lacks that the others have is James Cameron as director.
All of this is a very long winded way to get to this simple statement.
I went to "Terminator Salvation" expecting to be disappointed. In fact, I only went to see the movie for two reasons. 1.Christian Bale 2. It was my date's turn to pick the movie.
I have to admit I was just a little disappointed. Christian Bale was a good John Connor. And I enjoyed Bryce Dallas Howard as Kate Brewster Connor. There are also memorable performances by Moon Bloodgood as the female fighter pilot and Michael Ironsides, who always brings something to the table.
The story, though, left something to be desired. We know that John Connor failed to destroy Skynet. We know that Judgment Day arrived and the machines rose against mankind. The addition of a young Kyle Reese into the mix adds a complication that I could have done without. Kyle Reese, for those of you who may have forgotten, is John Connor's father.
I personally would have liked the story without that little addition. But that is just my opinion.
If you were to ask me, I would have to say see the movie for yourself. There is plenty of shoot 'em up, blow 'em up action for those who are fond of action. And, there are good performances by some very good actors.
But part of the attraction for me has always been the Governator--I mean the Terminator T800 as portrayed by Arnold Schwartzenegger and in the end nothing could make up for his absence.
The Terminator did come back, seven years later in "Terminator 2:Judgment Day". This time he is the "good cyborg". His mission is to protect John Connor, future leader of the resistance from an even more more advanced cyborg, the T-1000, portrayed by Robert Patrick. The second movie was filled with amazing special effects which were unlike any I had seen before. And the action scenes were filled with breathtaking stunts. Linda Hamilton portrayed Sarah Connor in both movies and in this one was the perfect paranoid, just because you're crazy doesn't mean there really ISN'T someone after you, revolutionary. WE know she isn't crazy. Her son is starting to realize that even though everyone TELLS him his mother is crazy, she really isn't. But everyone else still thinks that she is and that he is responsible for the death of his foster parents (who were killed by the T-1000).
In "Terminator 3: The Rise of the Machines" the young John Connor (Nick Stahl) meets Kate Brewster (Clare Danes) who eventually becomes his wife. Once again, a cyborg is sent back from the future to kill both Connor and Kate Brewster. And again, Schwartzenegger is sent back as the "good" cyborg to help protect Connor and Brewster. This is my least favorite of the Terminator movies. I enjoyed it but I thought it lacked something that the other two delivered. An edge that kept me locked in my seat for the duration, squirming because going to the ladies room was just not an option. It's taken me several viewings and some research and I think I agree with someone who commented on IMDB. What this movie lacks that the others have is James Cameron as director.
All of this is a very long winded way to get to this simple statement.
I went to "Terminator Salvation" expecting to be disappointed. In fact, I only went to see the movie for two reasons. 1.Christian Bale 2. It was my date's turn to pick the movie.
I have to admit I was just a little disappointed. Christian Bale was a good John Connor. And I enjoyed Bryce Dallas Howard as Kate Brewster Connor. There are also memorable performances by Moon Bloodgood as the female fighter pilot and Michael Ironsides, who always brings something to the table.
The story, though, left something to be desired. We know that John Connor failed to destroy Skynet. We know that Judgment Day arrived and the machines rose against mankind. The addition of a young Kyle Reese into the mix adds a complication that I could have done without. Kyle Reese, for those of you who may have forgotten, is John Connor's father.
I personally would have liked the story without that little addition. But that is just my opinion.
If you were to ask me, I would have to say see the movie for yourself. There is plenty of shoot 'em up, blow 'em up action for those who are fond of action. And, there are good performances by some very good actors.
But part of the attraction for me has always been the Governator--I mean the Terminator T800 as portrayed by Arnold Schwartzenegger and in the end nothing could make up for his absence.
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