OK, here we go, folks.
Tony already mentioned a bunch of plot details, so I'm just going to jump right into this one.
"Terminator: Salvation" is the fourth of the "Terminator" movies, as my comrade mentioned down there, and I must say the second best of the bunch after "Terminator 2: Judgment Day." In this film we finally get to witness a grown-up John Conner, kicking machine butt instead of hiding behind the Governor, as played by a slimmed down Christian Bale fresh off the success of “The Dark Knight.” I think Bale does a great job in the role. He gave the character just the right emotional oomph it needed, without overdoing the badassedness that I can imagine a different actor would have felt like exaggerating.
Sam Worthington was perfectly cast as the new main Terminator. He fit the role very well, and I think everyone should keep an eye out for him. This is definitely going to blow him up big time. It's disappointing that the trailer for this movie totally ruins what I thought they were trying to keep a big secret - spoiler alert! (if you haven't seen the trailer) - that
Everyone else was cast fairly well, from the little girl to Anton Yelchin as Kyle Reese, (who we recently saw as "Chekov" in the EXCELLENT "Star Trek"). I would have liked to see more of Michael Ironside, though. His talent is kind of wasted here, as is Helena Bonham Carter's.
Also, Blair Williams' character could've been better without the cheesy love-affection, although I see why they wrote it that way.
Now let me get one thing perfectly clear: This movie is action-packed with special effect goodness. All the effects look awesome and director McG ("Charlie's Angels," "We Are Marshall") really does his best work there. The crashing helicopter sequence that Tony mentions is just memorably different and fresh when you consider that it was also done in one take. The giant Terminator robot that harvests humans also sets off a great, seemingly non-stop action sequence involving robot motorcycles, flying fortresses, a car chase and a lot of stuff blowing up.
The story went exactly where it should have. Everything seemed to make sense and fit together nicely, which is harder than it seems when you are dealing with time travel and characters during so many different time periods. I disagree with Tony that the story feels "re-hashed." It was a well written continuation of the story of Humans vs. Machines. It's distinct in its respective timeframe of the story and leaves an exciting landscape to pick up from next time.
It's not very full with substance because it's falling back on the fact that it's a sequel that just needs to continue a story line, not re-invent the whole genre. Don't go in expecting anything as deep as "The Matrix" which will leave you analyzing and interpreting for days. Just check your brain at the door, and hang on for a fun summer adventure.
I agree to DISAGREE with Tony and recommend watching this one in theaters. The eye candy surely deserves a big screen to be fully taken in. Go see it while you still can.
