Directed by: McG
Written by: John D. Brancato & Michael Ferris
TERMINATOR SALVATION is everything I thought it would be, if not more. It lived up to my expectations, and I set the bar pretty high. I was definitely impressed. Every aspect of the movie seemed to click and flow and create a great film going experience. It’s simple stunning!
This is a rare movie that has an amazing set of trailers for it and the movie itself lived up to those previews not allowing them to reveal too much. And I really appreciate that considering that amount of films that come out and do the exact opposite of that.
The special effects are wonderful. The Terminators look exceptionally well. The CGI is very good and doesn’t seem too contrived. The environment and landscapes look fairly good and add to the rugged look of the film.
There is good acting throughout by the entire cast. Sam Worthington (Marcus Wright) does a particularly good job considering he hasn’t been in much and certainly nothing as big as a Terminator movie. Christian Bale is on par with his other great performances. I’m a huge fan of his and it is like a dream to see him play as the legendary John Connor in this movie. Terminator fans couldn’t ask for more with him. Also, Anton Yelchin’s portrayal of young Kyle Reese is very good and the importance of his character is not something to push aside.
I really like how the main characters' screen time is split while being able to tell a compelling story from both characters' standpoints. Both characters, Wright and John Connor, have an interesting dynamic and when they come together it adds to the sense that they are like brothers, even though they are so different, being two different breeds (one a resistance leader for the human race; the other a new hybrid of Terminator-Synthetic based organism who believes he is actually human but ultimately used as a pawn by the machines).
Seeing the Arnold T-800 is nice. It really brings a presence and attitude that no other single Terminator can do. It looks strikingly like the original Terminator back in 1984. Arnold's face is CG'd onto a built stunt player. The irony being that this Terminator, the one that originally tried to kill his mother then was sent to protect him and becomes much like a father to him, would be the one to FINALLY kill him and eliminate the chances for success for the Resistance.
The action is fantastic throughout and is very much one of the strongest elements of the entire movie. It definitely had me on the edge of my seat wanting more and more and becoming engulfed in the excitement. Rarely does a movie accomplish that.
Overall I can’t say enough positive things about it. I was extremely pleased and I will be watching this movie for many, many years to come. I really can’t wait to see it again.
Rating = 9.1/10.0
I agree with much of what you had to say about the terminator salvation movie. My negatives were how some of the terminators looked decked with clothing and clothes. However, I got to thinking that this could be the machines first attempts to make the terminators look more human-like. Putting clothing on them then designing them to be organic with skin, tissue and blood. So I will take away that negative flaw. Another was some of the environment when the humans where being moved to the consentration camps. It looked to fake and open in some areas of the background. Given there is no need for much security with a terminator on guard, but thought it should look more mechanical of an environment instead of an open warehouse feel. These are minor obstructions in my opinion and the film was very good otherwise.
ReplyDeleterating: 8.9/10
(*more machines would have easily pushed the rating higher. Who doesn't want to see lots of terminators in warfare)