Writer: Mohd Johan Arif

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Watch this if you liked: "Terminator", "Terminator 2: Judgement Day"

The most anticipated follow-up to the blockbuster movie "Terminator 2: Judgement Day" (after the third movie became a flop) has come to finally enlighten its curious fans and reveal what the future is actually like within the Terminator story that has been told again and again from the first movie until the third.

The story for Terminator Salvation is set 23 years after the events of "Terminator 2: Judgement Day" and is about a group of people called 'The Resistance' who survived the nuclear explosion called "Judgement Day" caused by Skynet, a highly advanced computer system that became self-aware and hostile towards humans. The team is led by John Connor (Christian Bale) who is now around 33 years old and ever intent on finding a way to defeat Skynet and wipe the machines off the face of the earth. However, the presence of a mysterious individual named Marcus Wright has altered the future that John Connor was raised to believe in.

In terms of the performances, Christian Bale is very creative in projecting emotions avoids the usual mistakes that most Hollywood actors make. However, it is odd to have Christian Bale playing the role of John Connor as the younger John Connor depicted in previous Terminator films was always a softer boy. Sharing screen time with Bale is Sam Worthington, who gives an excellent turn as Marcus Wright. It's not everyday you find characters who are so convinced in themselves, believing everything they say.

The biggest thing that people want to see in a Terminator movie is the special effects but "Terminator Salvation" is downright disappointing compared to the 1991 "Terminator 2: Judgement Day" and it is quite shameful to say that "Terminator 2: Judgement Day" has effects that are a lot more outstanding and groundbreaking than the effects rendered in this latest instalment. "Terminator Salvation" which is released 18 years after "Terminator 2: Judgement Day" should have computer graphics beyond what the era of the 90s could offer because technology has changed so much since then and it is more possible for the crew to create better effects that would satisfy Terminator fans.

There is nothing new to say about the designs of the machines except that they look dull and almost the same as other sci-fi shows. This movie would have been better if it were set in the year 2029, the time when John Connor actually re-programmes and sends the T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger) back in time to save the young John Connor in 1995 because that is what Terminator fans have been longing for. Other than that, it is still an essential watch if you want some Terminator action.


Cinema Online, 25 May 2009