Terminator Salvation - Theatrical Trailer 2

[Eejit]

Nah, just previewed, but they said they watched a good portion of the film and thought it was "very good".

They won't be seeing the full film till wendesday though.

 

[stemot]

They won't be seeing the full film till wendesday though.

Nah, but they saw enough to get a decent impression.

 

[Eejit]

They don't review films off small parts thereof for a reason.

 

[stemot]

They don't review films off small parts thereof for a reason.

I never said it was a review, just that they had seen some and what they did see they thought was very good. That's it.

 

[Sedako]

Just got back from seeing it, and if you can get past the wall of cheesy moments (a bunch of "close calls" that seemed too unbelievable, even for fiction), it was a pretty decent action flick. There were a ton of nods to the first 2 films, some of which seemed out of place.

Spoiler

The timeline carries on the tradition of being just as screwed up as the others. Kyle Reese is a teen in this movie and John Conner spares nothing to save him, thus ensuring that Kyle lives to be sent back to bang John's mom).

 

[Lucid]

Were the giant transformer mechs used logically? Or were they really just there to show off over the top CGI?

 

[Sedako]

Were the giant transformer mechs used logically? Or were they really just there to show off over the top CGI?

Spoiler

They were used sparingly, though I'm not sure why Skynet didn't just build a fleet of those and send them against the resistance.

 

[Lucid]

Well that's good and true... hah.
I'll probably try to drag my girl with me to go see it this weekend.

 

[hot564231]

possible resources are low?

 

[stemot]

So, does Arnie have his head in this then Sedako?

First reviews up on IMDB.com

The Terminator franchise is what got me interested in the movies in the first place. The first was a suspenseful cyberpunk thriller, and the second became my favorite movie of all time. The third fell short of intelligence but still solid nonetheless, and the TV series was a good addition to the franchise. Nearing the end of May, the fourth and latest film addition of the beloved sci-fi franchise will open, and having caught a sneak screening at Toronto, all I can say is, viewers are in for a sheer summer spectacle.

I'd like to commend director Joseph McGinty Nichol, aka "McG", for really putting his heart and soul into the project from the moment he signed on. His direction is fluid and packed with emotion throughout. Granted, he DID direct the two MTV-like "Charlie's Angels" movies, but let's not forget he also directed the under-appreciated "We Are Marshall", which had top notch acting from the likes of Matthew McConaughey and Matthew Fox. This could be his best and biggest film yet.

Here, the overall acting is good and solid, with Christian Bale (again) giving a memorable performance as the heroic and disciplined John Connor. He is NOT the teen John Connor (Ed Furlong and Tom Dekker) and definitely not a hapless "off-the-grid" bum (Nick Stahl). He is a completely new, different, and better John Connor than before. Christian Bale is a terrific actor, in fact one of the very best of the new generation of actors, and he definitely puts heart into this role. I can't wait to see him in "Public Enemies". Sam Worthington plays Marcus. Is he human, or a machine? I can't reveal that, but his performance is great nonetheless. Really full of emotion, and it takes a lot of skill to balance the performances. Not to mention he has a killer physique! No wonder James Cameron picked him for his "Avatar". Bryce Howard is good as Connor's wife/second-in-command, and acts as a shield for Connor. Moon Bloodgood provides some eye candy, gets into some action, and manages to deliver a decent performance all at once. The rest of the cast, Anton Yelchin as Kyle Reese, and Helena Bonham Carter, Common, and Michael (surprise!) Ironside rounding out the above-average performances. And this just shows you don't need an action superstar to make a franchise movie successful. Speaking of which, there is a certain "cameo" for which I personally felt relieved.

The screenplay is well written, although it has few cheesy moments, but all is forgiven as most of the story and screenplay is written with so much detail that it literally is a Terminator movie unlike any other. Of course, with a script by T3 penners John Brancato and Michael Ferris, and an uncredited script polish by Jonathan Nolan (The Dark Knight, Memento) you just know that the screenplay is more than bang and cheese. The film is edited very nicely and lets you follows the action without a forced rush. The cinematography is gorgeously dark; it really puts you into the bleak and disturbing future. Add to that a lot (and I mean A LOT) of intense action sequences of which are mostly filmed real, complete with fantastically rendered CGI effects AND giant robots, that are pleasures to watch. Eye candy for the win. Speaking of robots (sorry, I meant CYBORGS), there's literally an army of different models of terminators here, and Terminator geeks will have a field day trying to guess which model is which. And of course, no Terminator film would be complete without Brad Fiedel's iconic theme, to which veteran film composer Danny Elfman truly does justice to, while making some glorious film music of his own.

In short, I had a fantastic time watching it, and definitely would be going back to see it again when it opens. Most of the Terminator fans would definitely NOT be disappointed with this installment, as it is chock-full of action, heavy on heroics, and breathtaking in scope. It will definitely have a long run at the movies, and will give Michael Bay a run for his money. (P.S. I know Transformers have bigger robots, but Terminator: Salvation has a better story) See it on the big screen where it belongs. It is a great movie altogether, not just a perfect summer blockbuster. James Cameron can rest easy, as this franchise shows no sign of slowing down.

Entertainment value: 10/10

Overall: 8/10

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Wow, an installment of the celebrated franchise, without Arnie (oops, unless, he deserves to be credited for the virtual prototype of the T-800 killer machine cameo with the familiar face)! As this film thrusts before us lots and lots of new faces, knocking off Arnie, how will the Terminator fans react to this new installment? Truthfully, I haven't missed him! Hey, there are more advanced and deadlier Terminators in this film on the kill to put us on edge. Even, the motorcycle machine killer is refreshingly imaginative! Besides, this film is not robbing the audience of the series' central theme - humanity.

This fourth installment is just as entertaining and fun – darker for certain, and with a better focus on character development. Christian Bale does a good job as Connor, delivering enormous stamina and credibility to his immature character. Here, we see Connor, not quite close to the predicted 2029 prophesy, but drawing a step closer to fulfilling his destiny as the leader of the human resistance. In his twenties, he now steps into Bale's shoes to offer his new look, his physical skills, and his flawed mental judgment as the Skynet robots become more intelligent, almost non-destructible, and deadlier. The story begins with our introduction to Sam Worthington's Marcus Wright, a death-row inmate, who, under the persuasion and deceit of Helen Bonham Carter's Serena, donated his body to Cyberdyne Corporation. The year is 2003. We are then plunged to the post-apocalyptic 2018

We encounter Connor jumping into a helicopter for a strike at a SkyNet facility while human beings are being hounded and killed by the deadly machines in the human beings' determination to destroy the facility. Even from the moment we see him, it's obvious that we'd be facing a complicating and complex character that is, nonetheless, aware of his destined purpose. Observe how effective Conner is in inspiring the humans. In the midst of the calamity and explosions, the scenes shift to Marcus Wright. Awakes, dazed and hazy initially,he soon snaps out of his blurry state. As he bumps into a Resistance soldier, Anton Yelchin's Kyle Reese and young Star, it would be difficult for the viewers to refrain from smiling. Yep, it's the Kyle Reese in the first Terminator film, the protector and savior of Sarah Connor, and the father of her child!

Director McG has smartly created introductions of the three principle characters whose lives must insect to generate the relevant themes for this installment. In a subtle way, it does pay tribute to the first film. Besides, there's much to examine about the unpredictable directions the characters are taking us. Even the state-of-the-art special effects are well crafted to instill fear, hopelessness and uncertainties, associated with devastation, mess, and despair, scene after scene. In a way, they serve as metaphors to Connor's personality and feelings... a rapture of havoc. Yep, the special effects do also provide the feeling and smell of metal and death... cold, as cold as the way Connor treats Wright! Can righteous cause be justified without considering its ultimate effects on mankind?

While following the story, I have been struck by the realization of the vital and important relevance of Wright's story in this film. Frankly, it has dawned on me Wright's story does target the interesting theme of 'second chance.' Also, his psyche, and his decision-making choices settle onto another great theme - the important value of humane wisdom of heartfelt decision-making. What can Connor learn from Wright? And how important is that?

Director McG has succeeded wonderfully for not only giving us another too familiar and bombastic "terminator action film, but a story that allows the viewers to search, analyze and understand the different forms of leadership decision-making in human beings. We can see that Connor has a lot to learn before he can really succeed in moving from second-in-command to his ultimate and destined leadership. Even the brief take of the photo of Linda Hamilton's Susan Connor is a reminder that she has developed into a stronger and wiser character when she arrived at the South of the Border.
This film has surged up my excitement for the next installment to the celebrated series. I love this film! It does make me put on my thinking cap to examine the story much deeper than what flows visually before my eyes!

I saw "Salvation" at an advance screening a few hours ago. The word to describe it is "different." Everything about it. For one, it's definitely a PG-13 film, both in terms of tone and on screen violence. Second, the plot has nothing to do with someone going back in time to kill a member of the Conner family. Nor is there a single persistent antagonist motivating all of the action--the plot is more broad, and the characters and audience have plenty of time to catch their breath between action scenes. The setting is post-apocalyptic, and the aesthetic reminds me more of a video game than any film (think Gears of War, or Fallout 3). It's bleak, desaturated, and fascinating. In fact, I think that the visuals might have been my favorite thing about the film.

For me, these differences generally made for an inferior film. The biggest disappointment for me was the PG-13 tone of the film--not nearly as bleak as the aesthetic. Though I don't feel that graphic violence is necessary to make a film enjoyable, there needs to be some sort of sincere menace for an action film to maintain tension. In "Salvation," however, the machines have become surprisingly helpless. Machines armed with machine guns do a lot of shooting, but I can't remember any humans ever getting shot. The humans themselves maintain a rather cheery attitude, as well as often enviable hygiene. There is no indication that any of them are bothered by the end of world or fatigued by all the fighting.

That said, it really was a lot of fun. A lot of crowd-pleasing allusions are made to the previous films. The biggest machines are a lot of fun to look at, as are the blackened urban landscapes. The plot is rather clever, though at times its exposition is marred by out-of-place sentimentality. In short, it could have been a thousand times worse.

Still, I remember how horrifying I found the brief scenes of the future as portrayed in T1--how vulnerable the human resistance appeared in a world controlled by monstrous machines. The gentleness of "Salvation" is, for me, a disappointment.

 

[Sedako]

So, does Arnie have his head in this then Sedako?

Spoiler

That he does, for about 10 seconds of total screen time

 

[stemot]

Spoiler

That he does, for about 10 seconds of total screen time

Spoiler

Is that it? What a let down.

 

[Lucid]

I don't see why it's such a big damn deal.
He's busy governing a ****ing state, you can't expect him to put that on hold for a few weeks to film scenes for a damn movie.

Besides, Arnie is just one of many different models of infiltration cyborgs... they're not all him, afaik.

 

[Deleted member 56031]

I have to concur with Lucid on this, heck

Spoiler

be glad there is even a cameo at all

 

[stemot]

I don't see why it's such a big damn deal.
He's busy governing a ****ing state, you can't expect him to put that on hold for a few weeks to film scenes for a damn movie.

Besides, Arnie is just one of many different models of infiltration cyborgs... they're not all him, afaik.

Erm..did I even say anything about using real Arnie? No. They have his face CGI-d up, it would have been no problem for a little more Arnie screentime, they don't need the real guy anymore than they have already had with him. Calm the **** down.

As for them all being Arnie, yes, all the T-800 models, canon wise, look like him. That's what the movies would have us believe anyway.

 

[Lucid]

Don't ****ing tell me to ****ing calm down, you ****ing piece of ****!
Also, yeah, I guess they would all look like Arnie since he's been sent back that way in the last 3 films.

But, this is a movie about the war itself... so, I don't believe his character would fit in with it at all.
Maybe in the last movie they can have John reprogram a T-800 and send it back... thus leading it up to T2.
Err... and by leading it up I mean when they Arnie's terminator to the timeline in T2...

God, I ****ing hate time travel, I really do.

 

[stemot]

Don't ****ing tell me to ****ing calm down, you ****ing piece of ****!
Also, yeah, I guess they would all look like Arnie since he's been sent back that way in the last 3 films.

But, this is a movie about the war itself... so, I don't believe his character would fit in with it at all.
Maybe in the last movie they can have John reprogram a T-800 and send it back... thus leading it up to T2.
Err... and by leading it up I mean when they Arnie's terminator to the timeline in T2...

God, I ****ing hate time travel, I really do.

I bow to your potty mouth . I just think that with the Terminator in T3 basically telling John he killed him, that maybe we would see this happen and that John was not as dead as the T-800 thought, which would have required more than 10 seconds screen time.
Then again, I guess it's the first of a trilogy, so there will be plenty of room for stuff like that. Which makes me wonder again how they will handle the T-800's in future sequels. Will they be CGI Arnie or will they just decide to use the different actor?

 

[Lucid]

I just enjoy the sound of the word f*ck, always have.
I actually rarely ever use it outside of the internet though.

I totally forgot about that assassination thing, I think if Arnie was given the right amount of money he'd participate in a sequel.

 

[Deleted member 56031]

As for them all being Arnie, yes, all the T-800 models, canon wise, look like him. That's what the movies would have us believe anyway.

Wasn't there a T-800 in a flashback in the first terminator that looked different than arnie?

 

[stemot]

Wasn't there a T-800 in a flashback in the first terminator that looked different than arnie?

Ah, yes, indeed there was, but this seemed to be retconed in T3 when John asks the T3 if they roll them off the production line (the reason being why he looked the same as the protector from T2), also when T3 Arnie tells John he was chosen to assassinate him due to the experiences he has had with his Model.
Another one could be in the deleted scene that was not used where they use Major Candy for the T-800 face, which would mean it would be the entire models appearance.
Though how much of that scene is canon is debatable seeing as how it's a deleted scene.

 

[Deleted member 56031]

http://www.terminatorchronicles.com...r-salvation-ending-we-heard-about-and-feared/

Oh god, I know that isn't the case any more but I swear if something like that happens I would probably make a public outburst in the middle of the cinema and my childhood would be destroyed (it can't take much more after star wars prequels and indy 4).

 

[Remus]

^^Wow, just wow.

... I actually kind of like it.

If they kept the original ending that McG intended I would've LOL'd my ass off.

I don't consider T3, T4 or the TV series part of the real Terminator story, so I just take it as a stand alone.
I'll just have to wait and see the actual movie before passing judgement.

 

[stemot]

I think done right that ending of a Terminator made to look like John to keep the resistance going would have actually been quite clever. After all, we know that he is killed at some point in the future and this would have been a good way for the story to keep John Conner in the films. May have proved problematic when wanting the audience to sympathise with John in later movies though.

 

[Sedako]

http://www.terminatorchronicles.com...r-salvation-ending-we-heard-about-and-feared/

Oh god, I know that isn't the case any more but I swear if something like that happens I would probably make a public outburst in the middle of the cinema and my childhood would be destroyed (it can't take much more after star wars prequels and indy 4).

Both of those are false.

 

[Lucid]

Reviews aren't looking too great so far.

 

[Eejit]

Well only 4 reviews out from "Top Critics" so far, we'll see. My sister is gonna see it tonight, will find out what she thought tomorrow.

 

[Asknoone]

And listen, Skynet buddies, what Bale thought about that cameraman is only the tip of the iceberg compared to what he thinks about you.

Ahahahah! I do love a bit of Roger Ebert.

 

[Deleted member 56031]

Oh well

As long as it's better than T3 i'll be happy.

 

[hot564231]

We all hope this

 

[Warbie]

Oh well

As long as it's better than T3 i'll be happy.

If it doesn't match the future glimpses T1 teased us with I shall be annoyed. This is the movie Terminator fans have wanted for years.

 

[bam23]

TERMINATOR FANS, GO WATCH THIS MOVIE IMMEDIATELY.

....


DO I HAVE TO SAY IT TWICE? ****!

 

[Deleted member 56031]

If it doesn't match the future glimpses T1 teased us with I shall be annoyed. This is the movie Terminator fans have wanted for years.

Something tells me it will not match that ;(

 

[Eejit]

So apparently it's better than T3, worse than T1 or T2. Some good actors though Bale is just Bale, being a bit samey.

I guess not what we would have wanted, but about as good as realistically possible given the cast and crew.

 

[Deleted member 56031]

So apparently it's better than T3, worse than T1 or T2. Some good actors though Bale is just Bale, being a bit samey.

Well that's okay I didn't expect more than that (It'd be stupid to expect it to be better than T1 or T2, it's made by ****ing McG after all )

 

[hot564231]

So is the entertainment value the same as Star Trek XI?

 

[Lucid]

If it doesn't match the future glimpses T1 teased us with I shall be annoyed. This is the movie Terminator fans have wanted for years.

Basically this.
I just want a ****ing futuristic war movie, god damn it.

Smoke filled battle scenes against a scorched earth city scape with blueish purple lasers being fired in every direction and the occasional explosion from a saboteur with those giant ships flying overhead and the sounds of mechanical whirring as the robots scour the battlefield.

Tell me, people, does this movie give us atleast some of that?
I mean, I know the laser guns aren't even made yet... hopefully in the last installment!

 

[Asknoone]

Smoke filled battle scenes against a scorched earth city scape with blueish purple lasers being fired in every direction and the occasional explosion from a saboteur with those giant ships flying overhead and the sounds of mechanical whirring as the robots scour the battlefield.

Sounds generic and stale.

 

[Lucid]

Sounds generic and stale.

So does your face.

 

[Asknoone]

Oh, sweetie.

I think what's sad is that, y'know, it can never really live up to those brief glimpses of the future that we saw in Terminator. But that was always enough for me, so I'm not particularly bothered.

 

[stemot]

IGN.com gave it a 3/5