The Bottom Line
Schwarzenegger didn't step foot on the set but thanks to seamless CG magic, he and Bale square off in a fight scene that needs to be seen to be fully appreciated. And McG, Brancato and Ferris (as well as a few writers who weren't included in the screenwriting credits...most notably Jonah Nolan) tip their caps to longtime Terminator fans by throwing in references that should make the fanboys (and fangirls) happy.Overall the special effects are incredibly effective, with the muted colors helping Terminator Salvation sell the idea this is what our world would look like after the apocalypse. It's gritty, gross, and depressing and convincingly captures this new robot-dominated world.
For the most part Terminator Salvation does exactly what it set out to do. It advances the story by taking an in-depth look at a part of the Terminator mythology that hadn't yet been explored. It also sets up future sequels and helps to wipe away the bad feelings left by Terminator 3.
Hitting theaters during one of the best summer movie seasons in decades, Terminator Salvation deserves a shot at box office success. It's one of the better action films of 2009 and, even without Arnold, this Terminator puts the series back on track.
Terminator Salvation was directed by McG and is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and language.
Theatrical Release Date: May 21, 2009
