Terminator Salvation (2009)

director: McG

writers: John Brancato, Michael Ferris

starring: Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Anton Yelchin

genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller

One of my greatest movie memories from my childhood was seeing Terminator 2 for the first time. It was a glorious experience which I continued another 10 times. Salvation on the other hand dosent just captivate me in that same manner as T2 did or even T1. And that leaves me with the question of why so bother making another Terminator film? Well now they did make here is a very messed up story and some angry humans versus robot action.

We begin in 2003 were we see Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington) being put to death after a tragic accident. Right before his death Cyberdyne employee Dr. Serena Kogan (Helena Bonham Carter) wishes his body be donated for research to be granted a second chance. Now in 2018 after Skynet has already made their strike. We meet up with rebel leader John Connor (Christian Bale) while he investigates the evolution of the Terminators. One of which is Marcus. Connor and his rebel compatriots try to find a way to destroy Skynet and at the same time find Skynet target Kyle Reese (Anton Yelchin). Elsewhere Marcus awaken with no recollection of his true nature confronts Reese and both decide to find Connor and find a meaning and a purpose for themselves.

As I hinted before the story is very messed up. But before I get into negative details let me first talk about what the film accomplishes. And of course what I'm talking about is the action. They did put all their money and sweat into those scenes and they pay off. From the new Terminators to the incredible explosions in post-apocalyptic Los Angeles. Everything looks outstanding and what you would expect from a Terminator film. Also the film’s gritty look captures the whole atmosphere of despair and of course the handiwork of late great Stan Winston can’t be ignored.

Salvation biggest problem is that its scrambled. There are places were they pay respect to older Terminator films and then other areas play out as if franchise continuity never existed. Example is how John Connor gets a scar in this film, which future Connor in Terminator 2 has. Cool that they paid attention to that detail. But what about the detail that John Connor in T2 had a great experience with a Terminator and saw the difference of how they can be from the start, also in T3 and a little in Sarah Connor Chronicles if you want to go further to his interactions with Terminators. In the film there is very little recognition of that fact that this has happen and there is no input of this in his decision making or with his interactions with Marcus which is quite absurd.

Continuity always is going to be a problem in time travel films so im not going to waste my time on time paradoxes or how this or that happend and just enjoy the film for what it is. Besides the time travel aspect the film still has problem of not knowing who lead character is. The film jumps from Connor to Wright all the time. This is due to script changes once Bale jumped on the production of the film. It would have worked better with more of Worthington,, it was him that most of us identified with. His search for a second chance to redeem himself and to do right thing in this unknown future would have been much better. Instead we get a grunty Connor who's one note. What Bale brought was machismo and presence but no humanity to the future of the human’s race great leader.

As far as big summer blockbusters go Salvation is not that bad. It’s got great action, phenomenal effects and standard acting. McG does bring the Terminator franchise back with a bang, but not big enough to surpass the greatness of T2 or superiority in elegance that other summer films like Star Trek have. I recommend only to action and Terminator fans, everyone else go see Star Trek while you can. 

Personal Rating:

Review by Paul