The film dropped yesterday so I figure it’s a good time to go ahead and get this post up. I’ve certainly made my thoughts known on McG’s new installment in a beloved sci-fi franchise, but I’m really interested to hear what the crowd has to say. Cut loose in the comments section below.
Comments
24 responses to “Tell us what you thought of ‘Terminator Salvation’”
Incredibly disappointing. The action scenes were horridly realized (despite some brilliant if misutilized visuals), the acting was uniformly awful (with the exception of Worthington), and the plot was simplistic yet convoluted to the point of ridonkulousness. Kinda hated the movie. 1.5/4.
I think people have been too hard on it. I certainly thought it was better than T3. The characters and their relationships were quite underdeveloped, I will say. I thought the acting was suitable. Anton Yelchin is the only standout, though. I think he did a great job following the immortal and underrated Michael Biehn. I was suprised to find myself enjoying the movie. Of course, it will never come close to the first two. I give it a 7/10.
Passed on Wolverine, and I’m gonna pass on this one. Hopefully Bale doesn’t have too rough of a summer, with Public Enemies coming out in a little over a month, though Depp’s clearly got the more dynamic role of the two.
Anyways, I saw Star Trek opening day, and will do the same with Up in 3-D, with my nieces, continuing a tradition that began last year with WALL-E.
The only thing I’ll disagree with is the sound design, which didn’t bother me all that much. Not that the theater I went to has good sound or anything, but it wasn’t really a distraction for me.
Everything else was pretty bad.
It sucked, waste of money, im done seeing poorly reviewed films
Loud, mindless, and fun are the three words I would use to describe my experience watching it last night. I don’t even compare it to the early Terminator movies (I still hold the first one to be the best in the series). However, I was never bored while watching it. I just enjoyed it on the terms of a brainless, summer action blockbuster. I really didn’t think it was as terrible as some critics made it out to be. I’d give it 3 out of 4 stars.
I have seen much worse movies given much more credit. This is a personal attack we have all seen to bad media. When Bale had his rant and made it seem like his acting is the holy grail that was bad media like Crowe and Ryan for Proof of life or Tom Cruise and his career as of late.
This movie was not that bad in fact it is the third best of the series behind the original two. Problems that many are saying is Bale’s acting is bad. He does not have much drama to work with but we are given our best connor to date hands down. He is conflicted in trying to become the man his mother told him he will be. He is not the leader yet that he thought he would be. He has a military soldier feel to hem because that is what he is a soldier in a war not a kid having fun with a machine but a soldier. Every one is saying his acting is flat, so you must have thought hamilton was bad in T2 because that attitude and will power seems to be exactly what bale is channeling. Not the kid connor but the tough mom who got him so far. Bale is just fine in this film, critics feel like crucifing some one. Hugh Jackman just lost his job because we have our new aussie star, his name is Sam Worthington. Marcus Wright is the best thing going in this movie. By the end we will be rooting for him as we did for Arnold in T2. Atoine channels Kyle reese so confidently and is a blast to watch.
There is drama and good characters here just not as much as the other terminator movies because this is a war movie. Kyle Reese and Marcus have a few meaningful scenes. I do agree some of the dialogue is clunky but a most times the actors compinsate and make it work. Also alot of critics have been bashing the movie for lack of any real danger to main characters because we know the story from previous terminators there for no one is at risk. I have a problem with that mind thought because that would mean since the original Terminator we were told the story of the future meaning the two follow ups were as pointless as this movie. The way it should because of time travel and knowledge of both past and future by the enemy, anything at anytime could happen. If Reese is killed in this movie then Connor drops dead in an instince.
I keep hearing about the loss of what made the other films great. Well to me T3 was recycled garbage with no style and no excitement. And my fondest moments of T2 are the best action sequences in film history, the heart pounding suspence of the action scenes are what made that film great along with good humor. It was never really the story telling that made it classic even though it was good. If you believe it was you are lieing to your self. MCG does mess up somethings like the intro, but not the action. This is the best pure action movie in awhile. Many better action movies but not as dazzling in action sequences as this. Iron man on pure action left more to be desired and Dark knight is magnificent but still a little to grounded.
This movie is the first since Transformers in which the action had me stuned. Not to mention the style is back. From the wasteland to Skynet the production is magnificent. Especially the last fight scene in Skynet with the T-800 (the colors and look are beautifully reminicent of the steel mill from T2). Bottom line is that I critique movies very tough. But with all the great reminicent moments and dazzling effects I don’t see how this movie is being torn apart by reviews like it is. X-men Orgings was a mess and was a disgrace to X2. How is this movie in that same league I don’t get it. There have been worse movies than how this is getting attacked. Bottom line is I love T2 and am proud to say this was a good movie of which I had a great time viewing and look forward to the sequels. Other than what I think the critics can all go to hell. Right!!!
T3 was a smart answer to a paradox presented in the second film. And clearly, by some of the comments here, it continues to be misunderstood. Whatever. I can’t understand anyone honestly thinking the brainless T4 is a better film.
While there were quite a few underdeveloped aspects such as relationships, themes, etc., I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought it was a hell of a lot better than T3. For me, the thing that elevated the film was the performances by Bale, Worthington, and the overall tone. Much like “Taken”, had any other actors been cast in the lead roles, it wouldn’t have worked. I think what intrigues me the most is that this film is the start of an interesting storyline and I am interested in seeing that play out. Main flaw of course is McG himself, who simply does not understand shot composition (though the tracking shot of Connor climbing out of the chopper and looking at the mushroom cloud was pretty damn cool IMO) and is a cookie cutter director like Brett Ratner.
The action scenes were, however, amazing, and the Arnold Schwarzenegger cameo was one for the books. Despite some flaws, I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope to catch it again in theaters.
T3 was a slape in the face of T2. It maid the sacrifice of Dyson, and the closest thing to a father or friend John connor ever have mean absolutely nothing, because T3 say’s it prevented nothing. Arnold was a slap stick recycled version of his character from T2. The style was so bland other than arnold you had no idea it was a terminator movie. There was no respect of the previous movies. The action was usually so comical it lacked any intensity. The story was useless because in the end it did nothing for the series rather than introduce Kate Connor and make aspects of T2 irrelavent. T3 is watchable but is not entertaining because it is an comedy disguised as an action movie. T4 knows what it is and goes head strong for it. It’s may be flawed but it has respect for the series and introduces us to the second best machine in the series since T2’s T-800…Marcus. T3 is a crock and everyone know’s it. You can have your problem with T4 but don’t lie to yourself about T3. At least T4 does not have a machine saying talk to the hand, wearing elton john glasses, making the goofest one liner, getting torn apart by a female terminator, and having the worst acting of the series at one point when Arnold is attacking John Connor because he was reprogramed… What a crock. This is a badass series that gets its balls back with its first PG-13 movie in the series. This all started from the dark, imaginitive, and brutal Terminator. That is where it feels it is again. I am not saying it is a great movie but the extreme attack on this film is undeserved. If you like intense action movies and am a fan of the badass terminator movies give it a shot and don’t let hacks tell you otherwise.
Your post was more comical than T3. Apparently you’ve forgotten that the first two Terminators actually had a lot of humor and heart… something that seems to be lacking from this latest edition.
I’d say TS is better because it doesn’t have as many BIG cringe worthy moments (although it has some) and it’s better made and not as boring.
But really, six of one, half dozen of an other.
The writers of both this and T3 need to stop working ASAP, however.
“It maid (sic) the sacrifice of Dyson, and the closest thing to a father or friend John connor ever have mean absolutely nothing, because T3 say’s it prevented nothing.”
What…exactly…is wrong with that? It think it’s the idea of dualing philosophies on time travel and what it does and does not affect. I personally like the idea of whatever happens was always going to happen, and/or, always DID happen. It may happen in a different way, but you can’t prevent things. I like that idea, and apparently, it’s too much for some people to think about.
Yeah, that’s pretty much the same territory Lost has been exploring this year. That’s not my problem with T3. My problem with T3 (and this) is that there are good ideas totally raped by terrible writers.
Raped is too strong a word. At least in the case of T3, which, mind you, I considered merely solid bridge to a new era for the franchise that could have expanded those ideas, rather than a proper continuation of the franchise. It frankly fixed some of the timeline concerns T2 raises and breathed new life into the material. But if T4 is the sign of things to come, I’m terrified.
Tapley, Can we get a full T3 Review? I love it too.
“Desire is irrelevant. I am a Machine.” That line gives me chills every time I watch it.
“ridonkulousness” Very interesting word. Who knew it existed. Interesting. . .
Algoresnuts: LOL it’s from Bolt, in case you didn’t know. :P
i’m seeing Salvation tonight, but i just watched T1, T2, and T3 this week for the first time. T2 is the best, far and away, but i really liked all three. T3 is especially campy (Claire Danes:”Just die, you bitch!”) but the ending is pretty great. My guess is that there’s none of the typical humor in the 4th film because it’s in a post apocalyptic world…what would be worth a laugh?
Joel: Dates a LOT further back than “Bolt,” by the way.
God, I feel like Old Man River now ;)
I saw it last night. 7 out of 10. Flawed YES but still more than enough to satify me as a fan of the series. A few of the action set pieces were stunningly good and Worthington was the heart of the film. The Arnold CGI cameo was great! The audience loved it and so did I. I can accept good. Not everything is going to be great. The James Cameron’s of the world are hard to come by. McG did a good job. The script needed work but still well worth seeing!
Terminator 10 out of 10
Terminator 2- 9 out of 10
Terminator 3- 7.5 out of 10.
chuck
I enjoyed it… was it flawed, yes, but so was T3 and anything after T2 will be. It looked great and some good performances. It was way better than T3 though, so it satisfied my need for a summer blockbuster and I was pleasantly surprised with what McG turned out…
8 out of 10 for me,
Riveting action sequences from beginning to end. A technical dazzler, not quite on the level of Star Trek in that aspect, but hey- Star Trek was a classic. I thought this was an interesting addition to the series, not completely necessary, but I enjoyed it. As far as acting, Yelchin and Worthington stole the show. I hope they think of some (believable) way to bring Worthington back in the next one, he has a lot of potential. Other than that if left a lot to be desired. Bale is turning into a one note actor… which is unfortunate. Moon Bloodgood and Common were horrific, but whatever. I’m not saying it was a great movie, it definitely could have been a lot better. But I guess that’s what happens when you hire McG to direct a movie. I’d like to see at least a T5, but hopefully they put it in someone else’s hands.