If this is Salvation, then Terminator Terminated will be next

Rating: 4/10 (22 May 2009)

Christian Bale has saved Gotham City from criminal masterminds, but can he save the human race from total destruction? In Terminator Salvation he plays John Connor, the leader of the resistance and the only hope left for mankind. After Skynet has won the battle between man and machine, it's up to him to lead a group of survivors including a stranger (human/robot) who believes he has the key to saving our planet. Who will win the ultimate battle between man and machine? The fight is on. Before I go onto anything about this movie, let me say I was looking forward to seeing this, until I saw 3 things about this that made me change my mind. First off was the PG-13 rating. Once again, we have another movie that's first in the franchise not given an R rating (Live Free or Die Hard anyone?) Second off was that it was cut 20 minutes, which made me think "Oh my god this is lame." And third off, Arnie himself wasn't in it as the T-800. I know he has a state to run but can't he at least come back as T-800 and say a line or two? Now back to the movie. Despite its PG-13 rating and cut minutes I knew I was eventually going to see this (because it's Friggen Terminator dude) and I hate to say it but it was a huge letdown. It was a letdown for many reasons but mostly it's because it feels like a TV movie with all the wooden acting. The other big disappointment was the final battle against the T-800. Maybe in the previous 3 it was machine vs. machine battles and here it's human vs. machine. I know that Arnie's appearance was only in it for 60 seconds or so but even if they actually got him to star in it his role isn't very big at all. Anton Yelchin although far less annoying in here than in Star Trek still didn't do such a convincing job as Kyle Reece (John's father.) Like the guy's almost 10 years younger than John Connor, so how could he be his father? Can someone please explain that to me because, I'm still on a WTF basis about that. Terminator Salvation isn't horrible (some decent special effects, and breathless action sequences made up for some of it) but it's just very disappointing on so many levels. It didn't even have the T2 song at the end like "What the Heck?" Bottom-line if you're a Terminator newbie you'll probably enjoy if but for us fans look elsewhere because the freshness and inventiveness from the previous ones is all gone. Save your money, your time and yourselves.