Terminator Salvation: Review Central

[Rishi]

Wow! I'm pretty surprised that Carson Daly has been able to hold on to that show since nobody really watches him.

McG should have gone to Conan, Leno, Letterman, or even Kimmel? Especially since this isn't a no name franchise they are promoting.

McG is the noname. They'll send Bale and Worthington to Leno and Letterman, Common and Yelchin and Bloodgold and the rest of them to Kimmel and Falon

 

[WVsax27]

directors rarely do TV talk shows of any kind...they really aren't who the general public wants to see/hear from.

 

[Anita18]

directors rarely do TV talk shows of any kind...they really aren't who the general public wants to see/hear from.

JJ Abrams was on Colbert Report. And it was AWESOME!

 

[Bunker]

JJ Abrams was on Colbert Report. And it was AWESOME!

Colbert brings the funny out of his guests, even the nerdy authors he always has on.

 

[WVsax27]

http://addictivethoughts.com/2009/05/19/terminator-salvation/

3/5

 

[Crook]

http://addictivethoughts.com/2009/05/19/terminator-salvation/

3/5

I think this is the best review I've read yet. I'm seeing it tomorrow at midnight, but somehow I feel like I'm going to be in tune with what this reviewer is saying.

VERY disappointed at how the hype has turned out to be hogwash, though. I tried to keep away from spoilers as much as possible and relied on the good word of the posters here. Couple weeks ago, this seemed like the film to bring serious sci-fi back on the map. Early word made this film out to be absolutely great. And MCG is one helluva talker, I'll give him that. He really sold this film to the fans as much as he could, and I put faith in him. Now, it's relegated to a good-to-decent sci-fi actioner. Meh.

I guess I shouldn't complain if I have fun, but with all the "talk" people from and outside this production were boasting, I seriously expected so much more.

 

[WVsax27]

I agree, that guy has some pretty good points.

 

[Dark Knight]

Wow! I'm pretty surprised that Carson Daly has been able to hold on to that show since nobody really watches him.

LOL.....Exactly!

 

[WVsax27]

never mind

 

[Matt]

This thread makes me sad. Like many, I bought into the Hype of McG once he started talking and the trailers started hitting. I think I am prepared to have been wrong. I notice several are not ready for that. I notice the same people who two weeks ago were saying this is going to be a sci-fi epic the likes of T2, are now proclaiming that it is just a "fun popcorn flick." In otherwords, it sucks and they are looking for ways to justify it. I really hope I like it. Hell, I probably will enjoy it for what it is worth. I enjoyed T3 for that matter. But, right now, as I prepare to see it on Thursday, I can't help but think of what wasted potential this may turn out to be and how much better it could've been in a real director's hands. I mean, this is the movie that sci-fi fans have been waiting for for 25 years. A movie that finally shows the war between humans and machines! And based on the bu, it is a totally underwhelming disappointment

I hope that I am wrong about being wrong

 

[WVsax27]

I'm pretty good at never having any expectations...I'm never let down that way.

 

[Solidus]

I think this is the best review I've read yet. I'm seeing it tomorrow at midnight, but somehow I feel like I'm going to be in tune with what this reviewer is saying.

VERY disappointed at how the hype has turned out to be hogwash, though. I tried to keep away from spoilers as much as possible and relied on the good word of the posters here. Couple weeks ago, this seemed like the film to bring serious sci-fi back on the map. Early word made this film out to be absolutely great. And MCG is one helluva talker, I'll give him that. He really sold this film to the fans as much as he could, and I put faith in him. Now, it's relegated to a good-to-decent sci-fi actioner. Meh.

I guess I shouldn't complain if I have fun, but with all the "talk" people from and outside this production were boasting, I seriously expected so much more.

It does seem that way. Not only that the "novelization/script' was quite impressive. Even though I said after my review of the book, I wonder how it will translate on film? It seems not well, it seems like they cut some of the more "human" moments in the book. Which is too bad. I admit I rarely get tricked like this, but McG is one hell of a talker, and got me believing in it, prior to July 08 I had no faith in T4 at all. Then I had a lot...now it seems to be kinda not what we wanted.

This thread makes me sad. Like many, I bought into the Hype of McG once he started talking and the trailers started hitting. I think I am prepared to have been wrong. I notice several are not ready for that. I notice the same people who two weeks ago were saying this is going to be a sci-fi epic the likes of T2, are now proclaiming that it is just a "fun popcorn flick." In otherwords, it sucks and they are looking for ways to justify it. I really hope I like it. Hell, I probably will enjoy it for what it is worth. I enjoyed T3 for that matter. But, right now, as I prepare to see it on Thursday, I can't help but think of what wasted potential this may turn out to be and how much better it could've been in a real director's hands. I mean, this is the movie that sci-fi fans have been waiting for for 25 years. A movie that finally shows the war between humans and machines! And based on the bu, it is a totally underwhelming disappointment

I hope that I am wrong about being wrong

With any movie you have to be prepared for disappointment. No one can tell the future and know what a film will really do until they see it or it comes out. I don't know many on these boards that thought it was going to be the next T1 or T2. I hoped that it would at least get close to the level Cameron had with his. But sadly it seems to have more entertainment then T3, but sadly that seems it.

I agree this is something we have waited for ever to see, and now it seems like we may never get the full potential. Well hopefully in the next few days I will be able to view it and see what I think myself.

 

[Caped Crusader]

I rarely ever listen to the critics but heres a few films that I love that have scored poorly on RT.

Spoiler

Robocop 2
Alien 3
Dont be a Menace
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1&2
Short Circuit 2

 

[Caped Crusader]

My hopes of TS still being a good film are still there, but my expectations never got to T1/T2 level

 

[Caped Crusader]

Heres our type of a review

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIpQvX8mTTw

 

[souvlaki]

Just got back from an early screening. Loved it. Solid 8.5 out of 10. I can understand some of the criticisms in regards to character development. I felt like the movie would have been better if it had been a half hour longer. However, for starters I really REALLY don't agree with the complaints about Bale. Maybe it's because I am a Christian Bale fanboy but he was my favorite part of the film. Sam Worthington did a great job as Marcus (as has been mentioned in every review) but overall I thought the entire cast was pretty strong. The guy playing Kyle Reese did a pretty damn good job as well. I could see how this guy could logically turn into the man we saw in the first Terminator.

Overall, I know this is going to sound weird, but as long as you don't go into this film expecting a Terminator film in the traditional sense of the word I think you'll be happy. It's pretty much exactly what McG sold it as, a war film.

A few spoilers:

Spoiler

The theme- No, it's not there. The duh duh duh duhduh drum beat appears twice during the film however. Once at the very end of the opening credits, and at the very end when Arnold appears. I think I heard elements of the theme when Marcus is walking through Los Angeles toward the beginning of the film. It was played on acoustic guitar, and you only hear it for a second, but I think it's at least a variation of the same notes.

Arnold- The cgi looks great in my opinion. Even knowing how it was done I was still impressed. My biggest problem with the scene, and maybe someone can explain this to me after seeing it, is that Kyle was in the same room as the T-800 at one point, looking right at him. For obvious reasons Kyle shouldn't know what the T-800 looks like.

I'm generally pretty horrible at writing reviews but if anyone has any questions ask away.

 

[souvlaki]

Also, semi-unrelated, but I felt like Bale really mastered his Batman growl in this film. I'd be completely satisfied if Bale sounded like that as Batman in the next film.

 

[LostSon88]

I just have one question...with a two part answer. Please no details...just...

Spoiler

Does the CGI Arnold cameo work? Is it believable.

1. Yes or no.
2. How did your crowd react?

 

[Episode29]

I just saw it too. I don't really share SOUVLAKI's love though. It was really one-note and uninspired through and through, with a script that didn't seem to know where to go from its central premise. Bale was almost annoyingly one-dimensional and not at all appropriate as the voice of inspiration for mankind, and should have been significantly cut from the film or recast. Worthington was fine, but playing a pretty blank character. The action was really well cut and directed. The problem is that, althought its technically spectacular, its impossible to care about the cyphers taking part in the mayhem. Just really bland and, well, not at all fun to sit through. MCG seems to have glommed onto Cameron's visual ideas, without having any understanding of the thematic foundations or science-fiction-based concepts which were layed out in the earlier films.

It's another testament to the difference in form a film of this nature and scope can undergo in hands of a visionary director versus a technically proficent tradesman. Very disappointing.

2.5/5 - I'll have a full review up thursday which will better lay out my points. The wounds of crushing disappointment are still too fresh.

 

[souvlaki]

I just have one question...with a two part answer. Please no details...just...

Spoiler

Does the CGI Arnold cameo work? Is it believable.

1. Yes or no.
2. How did your crowd react?

1.) Yes, completely. Looked very convincing.

2.) [BLACKOUT]No real reaction, until one part where you see a close up of Arnold. I think John tried hitting him if I remember correctly, and he gives this look at John which is just classic Arnold. The audience chuckled.[/BLACKOUT]

 

[craigdbfan]

Also, semi-unrelated, but I felt like Bale really mastered his Batman growl in this film. I'd be completely satisfied if Bale sounded like that as Batman in the next film.

I would have preferred if he didn't use this movie as a testing pad to tinker with his Batman growl which should have been completely absent from this film. Its become more of a joke at this point than an actual admirable attribute to his acting.

 

[Episode29]

I just have one question...with a two part answer. Please no details...just...

Spoiler

Does the CGI Arnold cameo work? Is it believable.

1. Yes or no.
2. How did your crowd react?

Spoiler

1) Mostly yes. He has the Beowulf eyes, but more of less works. He does feel a bit shoe-horned in as fan service though and vanishes fairly quickly.

2) Some applause during lines such as "come with me if you want to live" and "I'll be back", as well as a bunch on Arnie's initial appearance. There was a polite smattering at the end, but a lot of older (read: mid-20's and up) viewers were vocally disappointed and hanging complaining heavily on the way out. I'd call it a hit or miss.

 

[WVsax27]

Heres our type of a review

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIpQvX8mTTw

M-C-G

 

[souvlaki]

I just saw it too. I don't really share SOUVLAKI's love though. It was really one-note and uninspired through and through, with a script that didn't seem to know where to go from its central premise. Bale was almost annoyingly one-dimensional and not at all appropriate as the voice of inspiration for mankind, and should have been significantly cut from the film or recast. Worthington was fine, but playing a pretty blank character. The action was really well cut and directed. The problem is that, althought its technically spectacular, its impossible to care about the cyphers taking part in the mayhem. Just really bland and, well, not at all fun to sit through. MCG seems to have glommed onto Cameron's visual ideas, without having any understanding of the thematic foundations or science-fiction-based concepts which were layed out in the earlier films.

It's another testament to the difference in form a film of this nature and scope can undergo in hands of a visionary director versus a technically proficent tradesman. Very disappointing.

2.5/5 - I'll have a full review up thursday which will better lay out my points. The wounds of crushing disappointment are still too fresh.

I really don't get the criticism of Bale. Like this is really bizarre to me because I felt he did a great job with the character, and was how I always envisioned him. The film moved a bit too fast for my liking. I would have liked for them to slow down at some point and give some time for character development but I'm convinced that any flaws in the film can be easily corrected with a solid director's cut. Is it the Dark Knight? No. But it's not Terminator 3 either. I'm sure not everyone will agree with me but for me it's comparable to Batman Begins. Tons of flaws, and some shaky dialogue, but it sets a good foundation for future films.

 

[souvlaki]

I would have preferred if he didn't use this movie as a testing pad to tinker with his Batman growl which should have been completely absent from this film. Its become more of a joke at this point than an actual admirable attribute to his acting.

I disagree. It worked for me. Judging from the reviews I am getting the impression I will be in the minority in regards to Bale but I really don't get why people are all the sudden acting like he's the weakest link. Far from it. Worthington, while good, was completely overrated from the reviews I've seen. For me the real stars of the film were Bale, Yelchin, and Bloodgood.