I finally saw Terminator Salvation (T4) with my buddy, Walkingraven. T4 is fast-paced and contributes to the arc and mythos. I like the motorcycle terminators, although, once again, everyone’s vision of a post-apocalypse looks just like Road Warrior. (Might be time to watch that one again.) I disliked the pointless hydro-bots, although they were well-done, and the goofy Iron Giant used to take prisoners (why?). The appearance of the *new* T-800, “unlike anything we’ve seen before,” was my favorite contribution to the timeline and a great moment. This is the first Terminator set entirely after Judgment Day, but, importantly, before the future from the first Terminator.
I took special pleasure in seeing New Mexico scenery, including the Taos gorge and its famous bridge, and, especially, the Albuquerque bosque, clearly recognizable with the jetty-jacks. When the bosque burns, I felt momentarily distressed.
But, I have gripes. This John Connor, as played by Christian Bale (a fantastic Batman), is such a hard-ass superhero. Think of the sly teenaged Connor in T2, grown into the drifter-loser of T3. Sure, years have passed, but this Connor could mop the floor with a Marine drill sergeant. I loved the smooth action of Connor running toward a pit, as someone secures a rope, and leaping into space in freefall. Still, this Connor is just too-growling for me.
When did the Resistance become such a military operation? I’m not saying the military wouldn’t take over in such a situation, just that my vision of the Resistance was a bit more rag-tag. These survivors have jets. Consider that T3 ends with John Connor establishing contact with groups of survivors from all over. Years later, in T4, he’s just a soldier. Yes, there was a passing reference to his reputation, and he is still in direct contact with survivors, in contradiction to chain of command. He does take over (no spoiler), I just thought he already had. Of course, past tense with future events shows the challenge of making things fit.
Claire Danes played the future Mrs. John Connor in T3. (Not that any ministers survived to marry them.) I didn’t expect to see her in T4, but the different wife did take some processing. How did they decide 2018 was the time to have a baby? If it was surprising that the leader of the Resistance would go to Skynet headquarters on his own, it seemed as foolish that his very pregnant wife would run to his rescue.
Kudos to Moon Bloodgood for continuing the tradition of strong female warriors in the T-line and for having a damn fine name. Jadagrace was perfect in her role as Newt to Connor’s Ripley. (Tricky reference.)
During the film and for hours after, I was troubled by the teenaged Kyle Reese. He seemed too young. However, T4 is in 2018, seven years after Judgment Day, so Reese could be between 13 and 18 (based on the Sarah Connor Chronicles). Eleven more years will pass before the Year of Darkness, 2029, the future of the first film. Eleven years to shape Reese and his relationship with Connor. Still, this took some pondering and research – he seemed too young.
Interestingly, the best character in the film is Marcus Wright, played by Sam Worthington, for whom 2009 was very good; he was also the lead in Avatar. Wright had real passion, strength and humanity; he was genuinely interesting throughout. He saved the film for me.
If you enjoy any part of the Terminator epic, consider seeing The Sarah Connor Chronicles. That TV series is at times too grim and dour, but, hey, the Apocalypse is coming.