A mainstream tangent

Rating: 7/10 (11 June 2009)

T1 and T2 are classics because James Cameron successfully blended in special effects with real props, solidifying a great story with unique characters. The gritty action and emotional acting by Biehn, Hamilton and Arnold made the first two movies memorable.
T3 always gets a bad rap but come on: that car chase is freaking sweet, the ending is appropriate and it gives way to T4.
"Terminator Salvation" isn't as original as people make it off to be. It doesn't follow the previous model of the first three installments exactly. Rather, it adds a twist on the old storyline.
While director McG did a great job with camera angles, explosions and the overall lasting affect on us audience members, the acting, CGI and permeable story.
T1, T2 and also T3 used real props, though T3 did use more CGI than props. T4 relies solely on CGI for it's gigantic space craft, motorcycle robots and other technological items.
T4's story is weak and seems virtually impossible. How can Connor and his men still have all these weapons and aircraft? Wouldn't the machines simply locate them and destroy. They did it once, why not again? And the worst part is the acting. Sam Worthington emerges from an obliterated crater and into a devastated planet, only to immediately accept the idea of Judgment Day. Kind of weak. Bale does a good job but with the minimal use of Bryce Dallas Howard as Kate Connor the movie lacks the emotional balance between the hatred of people versus machines the understanding human nature common with woman.
I don't know. It was an all right movie, but I'll stick with the first three. Maybe T5 will make better sense.