"Terminator" Predictable But Fun
Ian Clemente
Issue date: 5/28/09 Section: Arts and Entertainment
Ok, here is the deal: director McG did a fantastic job with casting this film properly.? Christian Bale exemplifies the rugged, beat-down man hell-bent on justice that makes him so notable in action flicks (note: The Dark Knight, Rescue Dawn), Anton Yelchin's straightforward demeanor makes him perfect for day-to-day-survivor, Reese; and most worthy of note is Sam Worthington, who steals the show as a man caught between two different forces and displays the personal guilt and redemption that emerges from his involvement with them.? The action scenes are pretty remarkable, with each scene projecting off the screen and the use of CGI was more than acceptable, making the robot element come to life.
So let me ask you readers something: why was I nodding off during the first half of this film??? I tried figuring this out for over an hour after the movie, and it finally occurred to me: we know Connor has to encounter Wright and Reese at some point, due to the previous movies and the predictable story arc is set in place by them (after all, Reese IS Connor's father, right?).? So even though each scene did have a purpose, maybe Terminator: Salvation dragged on too long in moving towards the conflict we could all see coming from five minutes into the movie.? But once that conflict hits, boy, does this movie get exciting fast, not only serving the kick-ass beatdown climaxes that we all paid to see, but also providing a foundation for the first half of the movie (a gem of screenplay-writing rarely found in summer films).? After all, anyone will tell you that it is much better for a movie to start slow and leave with a huge high, rather than starting strong and ending on a letdown.? So with that in mind, despite its flaws, I give this 3.5 slithering robot eels out of 5, and encourage it as a fun Matinee movie to see with friends who can poorly imitate the stunts with you after you leave the theatre.
So let me ask you readers something: why was I nodding off during the first half of this film??? I tried figuring this out for over an hour after the movie, and it finally occurred to me: we know Connor has to encounter Wright and Reese at some point, due to the previous movies and the predictable story arc is set in place by them (after all, Reese IS Connor's father, right?).? So even though each scene did have a purpose, maybe Terminator: Salvation dragged on too long in moving towards the conflict we could all see coming from five minutes into the movie.? But once that conflict hits, boy, does this movie get exciting fast, not only serving the kick-ass beatdown climaxes that we all paid to see, but also providing a foundation for the first half of the movie (a gem of screenplay-writing rarely found in summer films).? After all, anyone will tell you that it is much better for a movie to start slow and leave with a huge high, rather than starting strong and ending on a letdown.? So with that in mind, despite its flaws, I give this 3.5 slithering robot eels out of 5, and encourage it as a fun Matinee movie to see with friends who can poorly imitate the stunts with you after you leave the theatre.
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