Blew it at the end

Rating: 7/10 (14 June 2009)

Beware: my biggest gripe is with the way the film ends, so if you haven't seen it and don't want to know how it ends, stop here! Overall, not a bad addition to the Terminator franchise; the usual explosions, chases, and carnage. A few surprises here and there, but the big "surprise" was telegraphed way in advance. What I believe sinks this movie as a success is the last ten minutes - and this may be why so many critics have pummeled this film. First of all, during the film we are told that a planned confrontation will be the end of Skynet. Yet, when the Skynet complex is destroyed, we are then told "it is not over" and the battle will continue. What? I don't like being lied to. Secondly, a prime plot line was tossed away: can humans and Terminators find a way to get along? When they kill the Humanator to give his heart to John Conner, the filmmakers were going for poignant but missed the mark, and wrecked what could have been a more interesting story for a possible sequel. The ending was just such an unnecessary downer!