Terminator Salvation poster & wallpaper

Christian Bale, Moon Bloodgood, Anton Yelchin

After Skynet has destroyed much of humanity in a nuclear holocaust, a group of survivors led by John Connor struggles to keep the machines from finishing the job.

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806,614 ratings

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32% liked it

244 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 54 min.

Directed by: McG

Release Date: May 21, 2009

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Flixster Reviews (43,871)

  • rezpatriot
    November 24, 2009
    rezpatriot
    If you have been following the Sarah Connor Chronicles and love a bit of Terminator action, Salvation, will follow your hunger in this film things heat up, but it still feels like its not the end.
  • PvtCaboose91
    November 7, 2009
    PvtCaboose91
    "This is John Connor. If you are listening to this, you are the resistance."


    The year is 2018, the sky is ashen, machines rule the world, and the only humans which remain (who've undergone a humour bypass) constitute "The Resistance". That's the simplified synopsis of

    ...( read more)the fourth instalment in the Terminator franchise; a dull, predictable, bloated exercise in CGI overload which could easily be mistaken for a Transformers sequel. While the previous three films offered glimpses into the devastated futureworld dominated by the self-aware SkyNet, Terminator Salvation is the first sequel to be set entirely in that future, which provides the series with a new look. It's a shame, then, that it's merely another trembling step backwards for the franchise, and an appalling buttfucking of a once-great series of time-travelling adventures. With awful dialogue, an uninteresting plot and mostly uninspired performances, the human element has (ironically) been drained from the franchise... The machines have won.


    The narrative intentions of Terminator Salvation are simple: John Connor (Bale) has to meet his father Kyle Reese (Yelchin), become the leader of the resistance, and get his scar. Meanwhile Kyle is being held captive by SkyNet, and Connor's superiors plan to bomb the complex with no regard for the human prisoners inside...which means Connor must launch a rescue mission. But the movie is more consumed with a secondary plot strand involving a man named Marcus Wright (Worthington). He's first seen as a death-row inmate on his way to lethal injection in 2003, but is suddenly resurrected in the apocalyptic 2018 with no memory of what has occurred in the years between.


    Our brains logically tell us that this is John Connor's story. The Terminator franchise has always been about Connor. So why does Salvation inexplicably focus on the character of Marcus? In fact, Connor is pushed into the background...he becomes the supporting player in his own series (in the original script, Connor had an even smaller role, but the part was made comparatively larger when Bale signed on). Salvation mainly suffers from countless story problems. For instance, SkyNet are shown manufacturing the T-800 Terminators (those portrayed by Arnie in prior sequels) when the human/terminator hybrid Marcus was assembled beforehand... Why would SkyNet begin with the complete package (as in Marcus) and then regress to the inferior Schwarzenegger-style T-800? The terminator models are simply a joke in this film - there are Growlenators (seriously, the T-800s were growling), Throwenators (they just throw everything in sight instead of, ya know, killing their targets) and ready-for-humans-to-hijack Motorcyclenators. Adding insult to injury, there are even enormous machines which resemble the Transformers that stomped around in Michael Bay's cinematic abortion of a 2009 summer blockbuster. Couple this nonsense with the fact that one of these Transformer-type machines at one stage manages to silently sneak up on a group of humans...


    Terminator Salvation neglects the cardinal rule of action cinema - introducing human characters a viewer can care about. The film plays out like a video game tie-in to the original franchise, and even proceeds with video game logic. It's set in 2018 when John Connor hasn't become the leader yet... So why has SkyNet been hunting Connor for years? He doesn't smash their defence grid until 2029, which is when SkyNet decides to send a T-800 back in time to terminate his mother. Moreover, how could SkyNet concoct an elaborate trap using Kyle Reese when it's impossible for the system to have any knowledge that he's Connor's father? And if SkyNet knew Reese was Connor's father, why not just kill him? Eventually Terminator Salvation culminates with an exhaustively moronic climax. To begin with, Connor frees a bunch of prisoners and tells them to run for "the transport ship". He has seemingly forgotten that he came alone on a Motorcyclenator and that there is no transport ship. Oops...


    The first cut for Terminator Salvation was apparently 30-40 minutes longer than the theatrical cut, and the sloppy trimming is obvious throughout the entire film. This is felt most directly with the character of Blair (Bloodgood) who nonsensically botches her allegiance to the Resistance in order to protect Marcus from justifiable execution after only one day spent together. Screenwriters John D. Brancato and Michael Ferris may have been natural picks for Salvation considering they wrote Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, but the duo also penned Catwoman and Primeval (that cheesy crocodile feature, not the BBC series). The dialogue is particularly appalling - the characters spout hackneyed action movie speak, while occasionally recycling trademark lines from earlier Terminator movies. For his tirade, Bale should have lashed out at the screenwriters rather than the cinematographer (who admittedly crafted a stylish, good-looking film).


    For all of Christian Bale's public insistence that McG is more talented than his moronic stage name suggests, he's still the guy who directed Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle. With not much of a story to worry about and no complex characters, there wasn't much preventing McG from crafting kick-ass action sequences. Except, uh...lack of skill!! As painful as it is to say (well, not really), the explosive, epic battles between man and machine are dull. The future war scenes imagined by James Cameron in the first two Terminator movies were murky, petrifying and dark. 200 million dollars were blown on this movie, but nothing matches Cameron's masterful work (not even the set-pieces in the original film should feel threatened...and they were produced on a $7 million budget). The only positives of Salvation (amazing CGI, great production design) are merely superficial - if a turd is coated in gold, it's still a turd...just a shiny one. The biggest action set-piece of the film feels like something from Transformers, and other highlights feel as if they've been lifted from other films (shots of helicopters landing resemble Apocalypse Now, the Motorcyclenators look like something from The Dark Knight, some shots from prior Terminator films have been replicated, etc... Terminator Regurgitation is a more appropriate title). Bear this in mind as well: Salvation is a Terminator movie directed by a producer of The O.C.... The technological lethargy even extends to Danny Elfman's score, which only reminds a viewer just how terrific Brad Fiedel's original music was.


    All the sound and fury of the powerhouse action sequences can't make up for the studious lack of humanity. The characters are one-dimensional ciphers who never evoke passion or enthusiasm. A viewer will only root for these characters based on their appearances in prior instalments (another huge issue, since some consider this a "reboot" of the franchise that's independent from all other Terminator films). Playing John Connor, Christian Bale unleashes his Gotham Growl, but he's sullen and tedious. Worse, he doesn't feel like the kind of guy who would fire up anyone, let alone the remainder of the human population. For his famous on-set rant, Bale displayed more drama, emotionality and variety than anything in the actual film. Sam Worthington, on the other hand, is passable - it's just a shame he's never given a chance to truly test his acting ability. Meanwhile the supporting cast is miserably wasted. Helena Bonham Carter is embarrassing, Michael Ironside is hopelessly flat, and Terry Crews is reduced to...a corpse seen in a single blink-and-you'll-miss-it shot. Arnold Schwarzenegger's much-discussed CGI cameo is hardly convincing; he looks like the product of a Pixar movie.


    The unforgivable problem with Salvation is its PG-13 rating. Terminator is an R-rated franchise, and this toned-down, kid-friendly sequel is neutered beyond repair (nothing more unsightly than a man being mowed down with a mini-gun before merely slumping over). The visceral nature of the first two movies generated by heavy violence and profanity made an audience feel that the protagonists were in genuine danger. In Salvation, it feels like the characters are merely going through the motions and are never in real peril. A talented director given a better-written R-rated script and the same budget could have turned this into another classic. As it is...this is Terminator Castration.


    I've got this far without comparing Salvation to Terminator 3. The reasoning is simple, really: why spend a review comparing two poor films? It's hardly a way to describe subpar quality. It's like saying Uwe Boll's most recent effort is worse than his previous films - it'd be a hollow statement. For the sake of those interested, however, Salvation is worse than Terminator 3.


    Compared with James Cameron's two thought-provoking action classics, Salvation is a powerfully dumb film. The first two movies offered sprawling stories, visceral thrills, deep drama and well-defined characters. This film strains credibility with epic unlikelihoods, and tries to camouflage them with nonstop paroxysms. It doesn't matter how awesomely designed the robots are rendered; without gripping drama, characters to sympathise with or even an ounce of humour, Terminator Suckvation is a dumbed-down, soulless summer offering - the commercialisation of the Terminator franchise which might as well have been Transformers 3.


    And guess what? More sequels are imminent...
  • allan913
    October 24, 2009
    allan913
    They are so definately back and better than ever and packing pure punch. An explosive, ultra-spectacular and exhilerating edge of your seat action-packed thrill-machine from start to it's amasing finish. An incrediable, fast, furious and breathtaking adventure epic thats a truly ...( read more)remarkable continuation of the classic franchise. It explodes with extroadinary speacial effects, heart-pounding action and nail-biting suspense like you wouldnt belive. A powerful and truly unforgettable film. It pushes your adreniline to the limit that you literally have to catch your breath in order to keep up with the excitement. Director, McG has crafted a stunningly visionary masterwork that brings the series to new heights and expectations. An outstanding tour-de-force of an action film. Christian Bale is electrifying, brining new life and darkness to the lead role of John Connor and delivers in every way. Sam Worthington is riveting, showing great capability in this important role both as a star and a promosing action hero. Bale and Worthington are unforgettable. A very exceptional and talented supporting cast. This great film is fulled by great star power, amasing speacial effects, pulse-pounding action and a solid story. A full-throttle adreniline-pumping and mind-blowing heat-seeking missel of a movie that will knock you out of your seat.
  • puffchunk
    September 30, 2009
    puffchunk
    Hmmm. So hopefull. Something about it just...sucked.
  • armybratgeo
    September 7, 2009
    armybratgeo
    This was very different from waht they made sofar and from what I heard that was the plan. I actually liked it. Having seen all the others I thought this was a nice change. Very dark, but very good. The story was semi good, the cast was great and the overall execution was very Ho...( read more)llywood of course. The FX was great and I was sucked in to the end. I hope they are done making these movies now, this one was borderline overdoing it...If you're a fan of the series,you'll like it.
  • cosmo313
    November 24, 2009
    cosmo313
    As far as technical stuff goes, this movie is excellent, it looks and soiunds great. Hats off to the art and sound departments and the camera crew. And to Danny Elfman, doing not only a great job as usual, but a great job incorporating iBrad Fiedel's work into his own. I liked th...( read more)at this film took a new direction from the others in terms of plot. It blows my mind to think about this film being both a sequel and a prequel. The homages to the previous film were both welcome and awesome, as was the brief moment involving AIC. McG did a really good job here. I was very happy. He's no Cameron, but he is a step up from Mostow (and I actually rather like T3). My rating may be just a bit inflated, just because this movie was intense and really rocked. But even if it is slightly inflated, the film is still really solid anyway. As far as nitpicks go, it would have been nice if this were R like the others, but I actually think this film is still awesome as PG-13. Still though, status quo would have been preferred (buty only for rating, not plot). This was a pleasant surprise, and I welcome a sequel (especially/only if the level of craft , care and attention to detail payed here is repeated).
  • yllkela
    November 24, 2009
    yllkela
    DAM...
    That's a great movie, (Definetely in HD).
  • Jameshy
    November 24, 2009
    Jameshy
    For entertainment's sake this movie delivered but as a sequel in the Terminator franchise it fell short, although still much better than that 3rd shitty film. Christian Bale was adequate as John Connor but i though Anton Yelchin was weak as Kyle Reese. I liked the look of the m...( read more)achines and especially the little sentinal looking things that patrolled the swamp. Introducing the new robot made the story more interesting but the film quickly turned into another generic over-the-top action blockbuster with explosions everywhere. Maybe the next one will be better?
  • mydogcansmile
    November 24, 2009
    mydogcansmile
    it looks reeeeaaalllly good my type of movie i have seen all the other but this looks a lot better cant wait to watch but will wait for dvd
  • carlrmcelwee
    November 23, 2009
    carlrmcelwee
    excellent film. good sequel thought this was actually better than terminator 3.

View All Terminator Salvation Reviews

Critic Reviews

June 5, 2009
Nigel Andrews, The Financial Times

Underscripted, under-energised, a triumph of formula over flair, it stomps on for two hours in a nightmare of self-important inconsequence. full review

May 26, 2009
Anthony Lane, The New Yorker

Terminator Salvation is a confused, humorless grind, with nobody, from the stars to the set designers, prepared to prick its self-importance. full review

May 22, 2009
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

T4 is a mixed bag, but it's not f------- amateur. full review

May 21, 2009
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

Terminator Salvation is so programmed, so impersonal, that it practically dares you to warm to its characters. full review

May 21, 2009
Kurt Loder, MTV

The movie suffers from an inevitable tedium, which can best be summarized as: bang-bang-bang; pow, pow; fireball, fireball; ka-boom! full review

May 20, 2009
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

The Terminator franchise was built on thrills, imagination, narrative, emotion, believability, character development and watchability. Terminator Salvation has plenty of thrills. full review

May 20, 2009
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

Terminator Salvation feels both comfortable with its limitations and justly proud of its accomplishments. full review

May 20, 2009
Pete Hammond, Hollywood.com

Packed with two hours of non-stop action, it delivers everything you could want from a 'Terminator' film and more. Much more. full review

May 20, 2009
Claudia Puig, USA Today

Few characters ever say more than a couple of sentences at a time, and when they do, it's often to assert the obvious. full review

May 20, 2009
Armond White, The New York Press

McG's boyish sensationalism is inoffensive, justified by paying attention to how Wright preserves an unlikely human essence. Worthington is a find. full review

View more Terminator Salvation reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments

  • rachelleqld
    August 15, 2009
    rachelleqld
    I am desperately after a copy of this movie. Even a burnt copy will do. Willing to swap other movies. If you have this movie, please message me.
  • rsumitchell
    June 17, 2009
    rsumitchell
    I think the film was amazing... Much better than I expected cos' it seemed difficult to imagine how a fourth terminator could be good^^ The actors were great especially the two leading roles Christian Bale and Sam Worthington
  • maroofsiddiqui20
    May 28, 2009
    maroofsiddiqui20
    This Movie Gonna Rock!
  • klingongrrl2
    May 23, 2009
    klingongrrl2
    Altho I liked the movie on some levels, I was a bit dissapointed on others. The special effects were great, but the fight scenes were not realistic, and we all know terminators cant swim, and a few of the plot points didnt quite make sense. It could have been better. sigh.
  • kpalone
    May 21, 2009
    kpalone
    I went to this movie with an open mind ,but even after the first 10 mins. I wanted to walk out (which is something I have never done) the only problem was I was with my boyfriend who sat their with a delightful smile as we watched two hours of non-stop explosions. I do not recommend this movie unless you feel the need to watch things blow up time and time again.
  • fatheryorke
    May 20, 2009
    fatheryorke
    As if Arnie is going to be in it, any1 who thought that is clearly an idiot. Hes like 70 and the governor of California, the movie will kick ass without him, just like the sarah connor chronicles kicked ass without him.
  • bigevilhulkster
    April 16, 2009
    bigevilhulkster
    Just looking at the trailer looks like the terminator series is back.its more darker and just by the way it looks hopes to destroy that last film that was a bomb.
  • chrishrandolph
    April 11, 2009
    chrishrandolph
    I am excited. I think it's cool the trailer used Nine Inch Nails song "The Day The Whole World Went Away"
  • kishenchohan2
    April 3, 2009
    kishenchohan2
    i believe this movie will be like the dark knight in 2009 and its not a reboot its a sequal to terminator 3 but this is in the future
  • alwaysawesome
    March 24, 2009
    alwaysawesome
    Terminator doesn't has its essence without Arnie.Though Christian Bale has done a good job.
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Terminator Salvation Trivia

  • In the upcoming film 'Terminator: Salvation' who plays the main character John Connor?  Answer »
  • The entire cast is recast for Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins.  Answer »
  • Who is the director of Terminator Salvation?  Answer »
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