The film tries very hard and it makes it quite clear that it’s doing so. Where it fails is where the original two films excelled in; moderate, elegant, controlled action with great story development. Terminator Salvation seems to have been too distracted by trying to become the big summer blockbuster instead of having substance. When I watch T2, I’m not doing so just for the visual effects, or just for the sound effects, or just for the story, or just for the score. I’m watching it for all those things put together.

This film was engulfed by filler scenes that could’ve easily been cut. Massive explosions every few minutes and pointless dialogue in the others. The film is so focused on giving you visual stimulations, but still its special effects are years behind its 18 year old prequel. CGI just ain’t as good as the real thing, except when talking about the Arnold cameo. You’ll see what I mean. At times it seemed like the Terminators were straight out of a scary movie, looking more like zombies with gatling guns rather than super advanced machines.

It happens all too often that a character is introduced and is one of the most important characters in the whole film, but by the end we’re asking ourselves, “why was HE so important?” If something as bad as this happens in your film, you’ve got a serious problem. I’m of course speaking about Marcus Wright, which the film largely focuses on (even more so than John Connor himself!).

John Connor in T2 is human with human qualities, and was able to connect in a personal and affectionate level with a machine. In Salvation he’s become a killing machine himself with absolutely no human side or compassion, losing the very thing he’s fighting to preserve. He’s put in a very similar situation as he was in T2 and (sigh) T3, but is unable to accept that machines now look like humans, even though to him it’s how they’ve always looked!! C’mon!

It’s obvious that everyone is excited about this film largely because Christian Bale revived the Batman franchise so well. He should stick to Batman and McG should stick to Charlie’s Angels. Also, the fact that John Connor has the Batman voice 75% of the time didn’t help. This movie is better left to Netflix rather than a $11 movie ticket.

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Tags: Film Reviews