Grendel
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Terminator Salvation. Terminator 1 and 2 are by far the best of the series so far. The original film, which really launched Schwarzenegger’s acting career, wasn’t a really big box office success. In fact when I saw it I was the only one in the cinema, but word of mouth soon changed that and those that missed it at the cinema quickly gobbled up the video release.
This 4th instalment is better than the last Terminator movie; Rise of the Machines. But then that wouldn’t be too difficult. Terminator Salvation takes place during the year 2018 in a post-apocalyptic California. The war with the machines is underway, and John Connor is one of the main leaders of the human resistance movement. Skynet has begun sending out terminators to not just kill, but to take humans prisoner. John Connor meanwhile leads his team on missions and also searches for Kyle Reese, the man who will become his father. They both cross paths with a mysterious man named Marcus Wright, whose secret either holds the key to their future or the road to their demise.
Despite what many others have said I think Christian Bale is good as John Conner and (Australian) Sam Worthington as Marcus Wright is excellent. These two carry the movie.
It is an action packed movie, quite literally, and in some parts reminiscent of Transformers. You’ll know it when you see it. But as is the norm it seems these days the Writers and Director lack imagination and originality in what they present. There are echoes of not only Transformers, but; Mad Max and The Matrix. Plot holes, sure, there are a few of those too. Pity the Director and Writers didn’t opt for more character exposition and less special effects and action.
As with many American movies these days there is the inevitable explanation scene where we are told everything, just in case we couldn’t work it out.
I have a few niggley-naggleys with this movie, but overall it was fairly enjoyable for what it is… an action flick. There are some nice touches in Salvation, and scenes and dialogue which pay homage to the original movies. We even get to hear the iconic… “I’ll be back”… Well if there's another in the pipeline... I'll be back (If only out of curiosity). If I had to rate it, I'd give it 6.5 out of 10.
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