Definitely a credible film

Rating: 7/10 (13 June 2009)

I just saw this film tonight and really enjoyed the whole experience. And yes, I have seen the previous movies and am a huge fan of 1 and 2. And yes, I do know what I'm talking about when I say this is a good movie.
But yes, anyway, I found this movie a very credible tribute to the series (much better than T3 anyway!) I feel if I am rating it 8/10, I should give 8 valid points to why I did.
Good Points:

CGI and Models: I found it all very professional and definitely added to the whole experience. I also enjoyed the models all used, which shows the creators were ready to tribute James Cameron. - Action: Very action-packed and thrilling; definitely a big feature of it. - Writing: Some of the writing was very good in it towards the end and I enjoyed it compared to most films nowadays. Still does not beat a good old Frank Capra screenplay though. - References: The other movies were not forgotten as much as I was thinking. The CGI Arnie was brilliant, such a great twist and addition for the fans; better than some horrible actor (cough, Sarah Connor Chronicles) - General Story: I admit, I did spent 7/8s of the film skeptically complaining about already figuring out the story and rararara, but I did not expect Markus to end up not being a full of Terminator who turns on everyone etc. - Camera-work: Absolutely enthralling; some great angles and shots in this. - Music: Everyone forgets how difficult it is (as a composer myself) to make a good score. Though Elfman did not write the score, he definitely shaped it for his liking and added in some of his own work towards the end for a brilliant soundtrack. - Scenery/mise-en-scene: It was great, I really felt immersed back into the old scenes in T1 and 2 which I have always wondered about. The debris and destruction was so elaborate and interesting, definitely made it for me. - Fighting/Combat: The fighting within the film was brilliantly choreographed and I really loved these scenes. Gave me the old feeling of watching the original movies.

Bad points: - Acting: Though Bale is a highly regarded actor, there were so VERY weak scenes for him in this, but he did also pull some great scenes too. But the other characters, I'm sad to say, ruined it for me, and really did not like them too much; I found it all very ... Hollywood if you know what I mean. Not much different to T3, but it wasn't all bad. - Technology within the narrative: I know I commented on the brilliant mise-en-scene, but I really did not enjoy the futuristic technology used and computers; it really did not pay homage to T1 where Kyle talks about how they had nothing and were in the sewers with only dogs. But then again, that was some years after this and the resistance could have lost a lot of vechicles and supplies etc. - Bale's 'Hard'ness in the first half of the movie: I know the first half of a movie usually is like the introduction, but the introduction of Bale's character really did annoy me. He was portrayed as this untouchable person who could, you know, pick up a helicopter fly it on his own or just like jump into the sea and dive down to a submarine. Wtf? lol. But he really did shine later on in the movie.
Overall, I say it's a credible movie: 7.6/10.
For average movie-goers: Must-see For hardcore movie-goers: Might not enjoy it too much For Terminator fans: Try to see through to the relation with the other films.
Thank you.