"Did You Just Walk Into this Shot? We Are #$%^^^& Through Professionally, Man."
Story Created:
May 20, 2009
Story Updated:
May 20, 2009
McG’s Terminator: Salvation might take itself as seriously as any film in summer movie history. In its two hours of running time, there is nary a moment of comic relief or pop-culture-ready quip (No “Hasta la Vista, baby!” here) to be found among the script’s weighty statements about the end of the world or what the REAL difference is between a human and a machine. (Spoiler alert: It has something to do with the human heart. Awwww. ) Barely a moment of light emerges from the ashen hues of the photography’s color tone. By the time it was over, I wanted to get myself checked for asbestos.
I don’t know if I say all of this to be overly critical or to point out the obvious approach by the filmmakers in what is being touted as a new chapter – and not as a third sequel to the now-iconic 1984 science fiction flick – of films that promise to tell the story of the battle between the survivors of a nuclear Holocaust instigated by the evil, all-knowing Skynet.; you know it as “Google” these days. As the filmmakers here – who do not include hardly any from the first three films – have invested heavily into the mythology set forth by 1984’s The Terminator, 1991’s Terminator 2: Judgment Day and 2003’s Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.
The story itself is somewhat simple – if you know anything about those earlier films. The year is 2018 and Skynet and the “resistance” are already duking it about. John Conner (played here by Christian Bale but played by Nick Stahl and Edward Furlong in earlier films) has already assumed the unofficial role as leader of this ragtag group of survivors. There’s all sorts of internal in-fighting that he maneuvers with nothing more than a glare and a gravelly voice. The commercials would lead one to believe that Conner – who was the target of the time-traveling Terminators throughout the earlier flicks – is the lead subject of Salvation. He is not - that distinction belongs to Marcus Wright. Wright, as played by unknown Sam Worthington, is a convict who has an unknown past with unknown motives who gets himself involved with Conner’s efforts. These are all unknown unless you’ve seen the previews that have been running constantly for the past six months and know that he is some sort of humanity-infused Terminator. Or something like that. It’s all very muddled until the end. But what you need to know is that all characters will get involved with some very elaborate and well-filmed action sequences at some point during the duration of the film.
This film certainly elaborates on making the consistent analogy of John Conner as a Christ-like savior of humanity; with the initials “J.C.” it is hard to infer otherwise. Whereas original filmmaker James Cameron (Also “J.C.” Coincidence?) punctuated his wildly popular films with some brevity (see quotes from above) along with ground-breaking special effects, Salvation clearly goes for the full juggernaut of Biblical context. Once Skynet was a symbol of rampant technology run amok, now it is made clear by John Conner’s own words that Skynet is like “Satan” itself. So, not entirely like Google then. There’s also a subplot about John Conner looking to save his father (or “Father”), the time traveler in the first film who impregnated Sarah Conner in order to conceive a child who became…John Conner! Whole Sunday school classes could be taught on this story line.
These religious tones are also clear when not one, not two, but THREE characters are resurrected from the dead at various points to further specific plot points or to make various statements about…”salvation”. Two out of the three times, the actors are literally spread out in some sort of crucifixion pose as they sacrifice themselves for some greater good. Yes, it’s that obvious. The question begs: why? Clearly, Salvation hopes to take this story from sci-fi to something more large and meaningful while sticking with the general premise of the earlier films. If you like getting overly involved with the internal world of science fiction, this will be just the trick. For the general, mainstream audience who have already seen Star Trek (which reinvents itself to a mainstream audience so much better) and want something digestible this weekend, there are probably going to be some disappointment.
As a general observation, getting past all of the weight and reliance on the earlier flicks, the film could have used a little levity. I mean, is it too much to ask for ONE wisecrack that will fit on a bumper sticker? Otherwise, Terminator: Salvation has an amazing look with some truly well-done and engaging action sequences. McG, who did wonders with the ironic bent of the Charlie’s Angels film, brings all of the action into the story really nicely even if such a grim and dark film is not necessarily where he is most comfortable. (This guy is behind The O.C. and Chuck after all). Bale, who is about as intense as leading actors get these days, is an ideal fit for the tone of the movie even if it does hamstring his range. He goes full-tilt into “intense” mode, even including shades of his somewhat-silly Batman voice. His “I’m a five-year-old impersonating Clint Eastwood” distracts from those fine films as they distract here. Worthington has more of the movie on his shoulders and lacks a certain personality for the job. Since he is supposed to be an emotional robot…perhaps some emotion might have helped. Then again, reviews of the first Terminator bemoaned a lack of range from a guy who went on to become one of the world’s biggest action stars. Shows what a critic knows.
In the end, Terminator: Salvation is a technically great looking film with lots of action that will not be remembered past the legions of sci-fi fans already in the tank. If that’s you, knock yourself out. If it’s not, then you might just want to avoid the sermon.
Three stars (out of five)
Terminator: Salvation is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and language.
