Review from first-time watcher after seeing Terminator Salvation

Rating: 8/10 (4 June 2009)

I had seen numbers 2 and 3 of the series but not this one and so was interested in going back to the origins after watching the latest installment. I understand now why it was critically praised and strong enough to launch a franchise. It also helped very much into understanding some aspects of the last film. Actually, the first Terminator struck me at how internally logical it was in its fictional concept which is not an easy thing to do considering the inherent pratfalls whenever time travel is involved. It just consistently made sense compared to the plot holes of Salvation.
The action was obviously much lower-budget but it felt right and it looked good. The director James Cameron filmed some very effective stunts that still hold up today. You could always tell what was going on and follow the action. The terminator was an imposing menacing presence. Arnold Schwarzenegger in the title role played it without showing any emotion (which makes sense) while his massive physique, ponderous movements and plastic looks (he does look artificial sometimes!) sell the character. You could nitpick that the head of Arnold was obviously replaced by a fake head sometimes (mirror scene) but weirdly it kinda worked anyway into making him more creepy. The other main roles, Sarah Connor and Reese, were played just right showing enough emotion without going into overexagerated melodrama. They were believable and likable. When reviews of Salvation complain about lack of heart, you get it more when you see the characterizations and character development here (even more so after Terminator 2).
Since I already knew most of the twists, from having seen the later movies, it is difficult for me to comment on them. However, I must say they were well implemented and must surely have been effective back then. The story was quite interesting and the glimpses of the future were particularly engrossing. The soundtrack sometimes seemed a bit weak with the synthesizers but one should see it as a "time capsule" of the eighties (time the movie takes place and when it was filmed) and basically it fits with the haircuts and wardrobes of the time. It's worth a rental as a piece of sci-fi action history or a purchase if you're a James Cameron, Schwarzenegger or Terminator fan. Be careful of which edition you get as some versions with extras do exist.
Rating: 8 out of 10