Just watched it on Bluray, and I have to say... it isn't so bad after all

Rating: 7/10 (3 December 2009)

The only reason why this film did not earn the extra 3 stars, in my opinion, is solely because of the screenplay and the leaked ending. When the dialogue was in play, it wasn't cheesy- which is hard to do. But there just WASN'T ENOUGH! Everybody was/is criticizing McG on his work. And I should admit that I did too. But watching the Director's cut, I really do have to admit that McG did a tremendous job with what he was working with. The visuals of TS are just phenomenal-- he successfully captures a world destroyed by nuclear war and on the brink of losing its humanity. However, he could only do so much with the script he is handed. I say: give him a script penned by, say, James Cameron, Chris/Jon Nolan, Michael Mann, or whoever else that isn't B-class and McG could create an outstanding film.
Additionally, the ending. Yes it was corny only because people ruined it for the writers and director. I, as a hardcore Terminator fan, would have loved it for its irony. The leaked ending was that Marcus wore dead John Connor's skin, and the Resistance went on thinking it was Marcus who died and not John. Marcus- unaware of Kyle being John's father- would have raised Kyle like his younger brother, grooming him to be a good fighter. Kyle would have admired him as his role model. Hence, Marcus/John's skin sends his right hand man back through time to save John Connor's mother. This would have been perfect, yet the leaker ruined it for us fans. I also truly believe that McG and better writers could have SUCCESSFULLY turned this story from John Connor's prophecized leadership to Marcus' true role in the war against the machines. But when it comes down do it, his bosses (producers) hired mediocre writers and were not keen enough on securing information. It is really evident that McG does have a passion for the Terminator franchise.
Sound- superb. Plot- like I said, kind of slow with lack of dialogue, and some parts in the story heavily relied on coincidence and chance.
Blame the producers and writers, not the visual artist. Rehire McG but hire somebody who will give him something worth his salt.