The values of humanity and humility that John Connor need to learn...

Rating: 10/10 (18 May 2009)

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 â€“ 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!