Terminator Salvation: Review Central

[Darthphere]

if that was your favorite action scene then :facepalm

I didn't say that was my favorite action scene, just the only one that got a response from me.

 

[Spider-Fan]

You know what else too. I've been thinking about this movie all day and why I didn't like it more. But frankly, the movie was kind of boring. The action scenes looked great but they really didn't do anything to excite me. I mean, look at Star Trek, when the Enterprise comes out of warp on Vulcan and everything went to ****, that got me excited I was like "Holy ****!" There wasn't a single scene in Terminator Salvation that did that for me. But I also kind of blame myself because I saw way too many clips for this movie as well. So scenes like the Harvester scene were pretty much meh to me.

Star Trek was a better written movie. Period. Action served the plot in Star Trek, while this film had a plot that served the action. When action is used to support the plot, it makes it more exciting. This film wastes its time. This film could have been the same length, but had a better plot and fleshed the characters out more easily, but chose not to. I'll use Star Trek again. Kirk's father is in the film a whole 10 mins, but his character is well developed. Watching him in the opening shows you what kind of man he was. Same goes for many characters in Star Trek. It was more well rounded. The characters in this film were just flat and not well rounded. Connor was in the movie a lot, and had little real development. Only character whom got any development was Marcus.

I think this movie is massive wasted potential. They made a flashy, dumb popcorn movie in a series that was more than that with the first two installments. Plus, the future wars is a war, and instead of giving us a war type feel in the action, it felt flashy and summerish. Not the right approach if you want a quality film, but WB I don't feel cared about the quality of the product as I watched it.

 

[Kane52630]

I didn't say that was my favorite action scene, just the only one that got a response from me.

ok then what is your fav

 

[CFE]

I thought T3's action sets were great, to be honest. Aside from the ending, they were its best quality.

Oh I agree (especially the night-to-day chase).

But the problem with T3's action was that it was few and far between...the portion of John, Kate and the Terminator driving to CRS is like "ugh, come ON!"

And that whole dialogue segment with the three of them at the camp prior to that is just lumbering to get through.

Of what I've seen 'Salvation' doesn't appear to have that problem, though I obviously won't be sure until tomorrow.

 

[Matt]

I don't know, the action scenes were really well done but they had no soul to them, if that makes sense.

And there is lies the problem with the action sequences. They went no where. If McG killed off the little kid in the film's first major action sequence there may have been a sense of suspense but there wasn't because you knew everyone was safe...and overall that is the movie's problem , from the casting of Bale as opposed to someone less popular but a better fit like Bana to the movie's ending, McG played everything completely safe. I mean, hell, T2 is what made this franchise great. T1 was good, T2 was amazing. And Cameron took the biggest risk of the series by making the T800 the protagonist. He could've given us a retread but instead he threw that curve ball at the audience. A movie that takes no risks, will almost always disappoint.

 

[Matt]

Oh I agree (especially the night-to-day chase).

But the problem with T3's action was that it was few and far between...the portion of John, Kate and the Terminator driving to CRS is like "ugh, come ON!"

And that whole dialogue segment with the three of them at the camp prior to that is just lumbering to get through.

Of what I've seen 'Salvation' doesn't appear to have that problem, though I obviously won't be sure until tomorrow.

To be honest, I thought TS dragged quite a bit and the dialogue sequences were almost always dry and boring. But that could be just me.

 

[Spade]

I thought Star Trek was going to be the "meh" one and Terminator would be the good one. But it was the reverse.

On that final confrontation: I thought it was pretty sweet when

Spoiler

the T-800 ripped off the T-600's torso to use its Vulcan cannon.

But even though they gave it that unstoppable feeling of the first film, the climax felt like an extended version of Terminator 2's ending.

 

[batman11]

I don't know, the action scenes were really well done but they had no soul to them, if that makes sense.

Hmmm...I guess I can sort of see what you're getting at. I personally thought the action was just great, however, I can understand the opposite viewpoint. Like it was mentioned above, the plot in TS serves the action, whereas it should really be the other way around. The soul comes from the plot and the characters, thus meaning that if action compliments the plot, the action naturally compliments the soul.

 

[Darthphere]

ok then what is your fav

If I had to choose one? Probably the chase scene right after the Harvester attack.

And there is lies the problem with the action sequences. They went no where. If McG killed off the little kid in the film's first major action sequence there may have been a sense of suspense...but overall, from the casting of Bale as opposed to someone less popular but a better fit like Bana to the movie's ending, McG played everything completely safe. I mean, hell, T2 is what made this franchise great. T1 was good, T2 was amazing. And Cameron took the biggest risk of the series by making the T800 the protagonist. He could've given us a retread but instead he threw that curve ball at the audience. A movie that takes no risks, will almost always disappoint.

Good point. Though, I don't think you have to randomly kill a little kid to accomplish that. But yeah, these characters were never in any real danger. The whole John being stabbed thing was kind of surprising but ultimately you knew he was going to make it somehow.

 

[Spider-Fan]

To be honest, I thought TS dragged quite a bit and the dialogue sequences were almost always dry and boring. But that could be just me.

I kind of agree here. The film seemed confused about itself at times, and dialogue forced. The first scene of the movie was a good example of poor dialogue.

 

[Kane52630]

they should give an Oscar to that little girl
lol jk

 

[Darthphere]

Hmmm...I guess I can sort of see what you're getting at. I personally thought the action was just great, however, I can understand the opposite viewpoint. Like it was mentioned above, the plot in TS serves the action, whereas it should really be the other way around. The soul comes from the plot and the characters, thus meaning that if action compliments the plot, the action naturally compliments the soul.

Thanks for understanding our point of view.

 

[Kane52630]

If I had to choose one? Probably the chase scene right after the Harvester attack.

same here, but i did like the whole scene from that to when they take Kyle

 

[LostSon88]

The whole John being stabbed thing was kind of surprising but ultimately you knew he was going to make it somehow.

I actually didn't in fact, I jumped when Connor was impaled

Most of it had to do with the fact that when it happened, the original ending popped right back into my head and frankly, I was pissed. I was saying to myself, "you lying sons of ****hes! You ARE gonna kill off Connor!"

But alas, it didn't happen.

 

[CFE]

To be honest, I thought TS dragged quite a bit and the dialogue sequences were almost always dry and boring. But that could be just me.

And that's okay...we all approach the film in different ways with different aesthetics and perspectives.

Once I see the film, I'll obviously be able to do more than just go off of trailers and first impressions.

 

[Spade]

To be honest, I thought TS dragged quite a bit and the dialogue sequences were almost always dry and boring. But that could be just me.

Not just you. The pace was weird- one scene goes on for too long, another feels like it was chopped to bits- and the dialogue was flat for the most part. I think Michael Ironside is a great actor, but besides being an annoyance his character literally had nothing to say. I mean, the man finds out he's done himself in by putting faith in the signal and his only response is "" The sad part is, that's probably the most intelligent response he makes. Too many characters chewed up scenery instead of adding to the plot.

 

[Caped Crusader]

Most of it had to do with the fact that when it happened, the original ending popped right back into my head and frankly, I was pissed. I was saying to myself, "you lying sons of ****hes! You ARE gonna kill off Connor!"

But alas, it didn't happen.

haha I thought the same! I was like you have to be ****ing kidding me!

 

[Darthphere]

I actually didn't in fact, I jumped when Connor was impaled

Most of it had to do with the fact that when it happened, the original ending popped right back into my head and frankly, I was pissed. I was saying to myself, "you lying sons of ****hes! You ARE gonna kill off Connor!"

But alas, it didn't happen.

Yeah, I had read about the ending but I didn't know he would get stabbed like that. He really should have died instantly though.

 

[Darthphere]

Anyone thought the whole command is in a submarine thing was weird?

 

[batman11]

Thanks for understanding our point of view.

Hey, I'm a realist here. LOL. I've explained why I enjoyed the movie and what I expected it to be. I will defend it where it deserves defending, however, I try to be as civil as possible when dealing with a viewpoint that I don't share. I totally get where you guys are coming from. And that's okay. We're given the right to an opinion for a reason. I just don't like being generalized as a mindless fan, when all I'm trying to do is be logical, and above all, civilized.

It is strange though however, being in the minority of those who enjoyed the film. With all the negativity, it's almost like I was supposed to hate it.

 

[Darthphere]

Hey, I'm a realist here. LOL. I've explained why I enjoyed the movie and what I expected it to be. I will defend it where it deserves defending, however, I try to be as civil as possible when dealing with a viewpoint that I don't share. I totally get where you guys are coming from. And that's okay. We're given the right to an opinion for a reason. I just don't like being generalized as a mindless fan, when all I'm trying to do is be logical, and above all, civilized.

It is strange though however, being in the minority of those who enjoyed the film. With all the negativity, it's almost like I was supposed to hate it.

That's cool. I totally can see why people really like this movie, I really do understand. One thing I don't understand though is the Sam Worthington worship, and I've come to terms with the fact that I never will.

 

[Crook]

Yeah, I had read about the ending but I didn't know he would get stabbed like that. He really should have died instantly though.

Yeah, that was.....stupid. Connor was completely impaled, yet the subsequent scenes make it look like he was just shot on the hip or something. Also not really sure how a simple heart transplant is going to make that gaping hole in his torso all better.

Did they even bother to go back a few pages before the ending to make sure the scenes fit together?

 

[batman11]

Anyone thought the whole command is in a submarine thing was weird?

That bit actually surprised me. I thought it was kind of cool though, keeping the most important Resistance leaders in a constantly moving shelter, where it would be more difficult for Skynet to find them. However, that obviously turned out to be a false sense of security...what with the pulse and the..umm...explosion. LOL t:

 

[Kane52630]

Anyone thought the whole command is in a submarine thing was weird?

yea, that one got me a little eiffy
i wished they didnt had a sub

 

[Matt]

If I had to choose one? Probably the chase scene right after the Harvester attack.



Good point. Though, I don't think you have to randomly kill a little kid to accomplish that. But yeah, these characters were never in any real danger. The whole John being stabbed thing was kind of surprising but ultimately you knew he was going to make it somehow.

But the thing is, would it have really been random? Killing the kid would've fit perfectly from a thematic perspective. The whole movie we are being lectured about how the machines are brutal and lack humanity (which ultimately leads to Marcus renouncing them and choosing to be a human) but is he ever really given a good reason to do so? The little girl's death would've been the perfect example for both the audience and Marcus. Its the Star Wars Episode I effect. The whole movie we hear about how cruel the Trade Federation is and how the Nabooians are suffering, but we never see it, so how can we really relate?