tried, but it's just not up to the gold standard (the originals)

Rating: 5/10 (14 September 2011)

both terminator and terminator II were absolutely fantastic movies - in different ways; i love them both, and each of them are wonderful for what they are. the third movie is weaker, but still links in a not-unimportant way to the first two movies in keeping with how John and Sarah Connor are important to saving the future. however - James Cameron's vision was sorely lacking in the third, as was Linda Hamilton. i adore her.
this fourth movie lacks several things. Cameron's vision - his ability to pull a movie together into a cohesive, tight, yet visionary flow - is incredible, and badly missing. Christian Bale's acting is seriously flawed. he alternates between wooden and angry, with no nuance. once again (as in batman), i do not see why people think this actor has the ability to carry a film. last but not least, the plot is not cohesive and believable to me. the *only* saving grace among the actors is perhaps the scene where the terminator sacrifices himself for John Connor - and Christian Bale ruins that scene as well.
i was generous with giving it 5/10 stars; i felt the special effects and the cinematography, along with costuming and set design, gave the film the proper feel. in other words, the people behind the actors, writers, and director are what bumps this movie up to a 5.