Terminator Salvation

The Terminator universe is a very complicated one. Not because John Connor's father is actually his friend from the future, but because after Terminator 2: Judgement Day there are just so many different time lines. There is Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles which goes on an alternate timeline to Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines. Then the timeline slits again with the comic Terminator: Infinity, which takes an alternate timeline to Terminator Salvation. As a James Cameron fan, and a Terminator fan I find these many alternate time lines slightly annoying. Nevertheless, on to Terminator Salvation.

The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgement Day and Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines are films about Sarah and John Connor. Terminator Salvation is much less so. It focuses more on the character of Marcus Wright, played by Sam Worthington. What's up with that?

The whole twist behind the film is also revealed in the 3rd trailer. Now that is just bad advertising. The film builds up to the twist with a few little details. Except when you already know what the twist is these details are just lost on you. You notice them, but they have no impact on you. I suppose you could say that it is just like that when you watch the film for the second time. However, watching a film for a second time is completely different. When you watch a film the second time you do it to almost relive the feelings the film gave you the first time. However, when you watch it for the first time and already know what happens, you haven't experienced those feelings yet and so it just isn't the same. You aren't reliving, it's almost like your reading a book on someone else's experience of it. It just doesn't compare to the real thing.

Acting. Christian Bale definitely isn't at his best. In the opening part of the movie I couldn't work out whether it was his acting or the script that was bad. Now I've had time to ponder on the matter I've come to the conclusion that it is both. John Connor is not referred to as John Connor, he is simply called Connor. In one scene that lasted a couple of minutes the name Connor must have been said at least 5 times by every single character in the room, and there were at least 5 of them in the room. That just isn't natural speech. That isn't the only time in the film when the dialogue (or lack of) turns shit either.

As for Christian Bale's "bad" acting. It was only bad in moments. Although a few too many moments there were. Either way I don't blame Christian, instead I blame McG. He obviously isn't an actors director and is more of a visual guy. Visually the film is stunning and the visual effects are outstanding. However, it is like McG is afraid of Christian Bale, which is just reinforced with the way he dealt with Bales on set tantrum. He just whimpered in the back and said he didn't see anything.

Luckily Sam Worthington's acting was very good, which would be why James Cameron recommended him to McG in the first place.

As a stand alone film, overall it's pretty good. However, as a Terminator film, I don't find it worthy. And to think they are going to make another two. I only hope Hollywood fucking thinks about the script, and keeps it in keeping with James Cameron's Terminator, finds a new director, and recasts it. And people say Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines was bad. Think again people. This is one time line I would like to forget.