Terminator 2: Judgment Day?
926323
How do you keep a good cyborg down?  Melt it--and hope its minions don't make more of those pesky critters.
3944022
I have enjoyed the "Terminator" movies; although this one was a slight let down; the character of "John Connor" had gone from being a tough guy in "T2" to be a loser type in "Rise of the Machines".
Overall though, it was a good movie, and you have to wonder, will there be another "Terminator" movie ??
3441693
In 2009 when I found out Danny Elfman was going to score Terminator Salvation I was pretty excited he has composed some of the best soundtracks I've ever heard such as Batman, Batman Returns, Nightmare before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands, The Corpse Bride, Spiderman, Spiderman 2, Wanted and many more. In my opinion the Terminator series ended with Terminator 2 there was really no need for a sequel but there will  always be those who come along to milk the classics.
I feel that the directors that make sequels or decide to remake a classic often forget about the importance of continuity Terminator Salvation was a decent action film it was a joy to watch from start to finish it served as a fine tribute to the first two films by James Cameron even included  was the Terminator theme from T2 so why wasn't it featured on the score?.

The Terminator Theme TERMINATED.
Although Terminator Salvation is really more a homage, in concern of the soundtrack The Terminator theme is non exisistant  which a lot of fans and score purist alike frown upon but to watch a film like this while listening to its soundtrack you need to have an open mind as before in the first film the terminator was a villian  as in Terminator Salvation the original terminator is again portrayed as a villian therefore  it  doesn't make sence to give the Villian a hero's theme so the exclusion of the original theme is understandable.

In T2 The Terminator takes on the role of a father figure if you pay attention to the soundtrack of T2 track 9  John and Dyson into the vault it's  apparent that  John Connor adapts the Terminator theme as we saw in T2 how the terminator adapted more human characteristics and in Terminator Salvation we see john Connor grow into leadership why not pass on the terminator theme to John Connor seeing  as Sarah Connor and the Terminator once had a partnership.

Due to the films dark nature Danny Elfman did a fine job scoring the soundtrack providing some fresh new material adding his own personal touch while paying homage to Brad Fiedel by incorporating some musical mofits from T2  for example  its sounds as though you can  tributes to Brad Fiedel from track 13 Final Confrontation 2:16 2:26 and then again  Track 2 All Is Lost  from 1:49 - 2:03. When it comes to film score I prefer soundtracks with lots of pulse pounding action and I think with Terminator Salvation Danny Elfman has done well in dividing the score in two half composing themes for the resistance and half for the machines.

The action themes were very well developed The Harvester Returns being one of my favorites really intensifies the thrill of a great chase sequence,as does Reveal/ Escape and Hydrobot attack, which is why I understand, that with all the action music Danny Elfman provides, he also allows for gently melodic gitural string work in tracks such as track 3 Broadcast and  track 5 Fireside. Track 14 Salvation,Which is really a great song when tied to the scene where Marcus makes the ultimate sacrifice giving his life for the sake John Connor Salvation is wonderful because it provides a sence peace while at the same time ensuring that there is hope for Connor's survival.

Closing the soundtrack is the song called Rooster performed by Alice in chains which perfectly embodies John Connor's Chracter as the warrior he's become and  yes this is an Danny Elfman album but with the inclusion of the classic Rooster combined with the score I feel very much that they both compliment eachother and mesh very well. Whoever decides to direct the next film I hope Danny Elfman stays on board as I am still curious as to how much more he can give us musically because 15 tracks just isn't enough if not I vote for Hans Zimmer.
4148991
Interesting film reminds me of the A.I. Artificial Intelligence movie but a lot darker. More like The Terminator series of movies, a good sci fi movie.
1008411
I don't know how someone could really be upset by this entry in the terminator series.  The only things that I wish were different was the score.  It was horrible.  But Nick Stahl was phenomenal as John Connor.  Even though I liked him in the role more than I liked Edward Furlong, I still would've rather seen Eddie do it cuz he in my opinion is the real John Connor.  But Nick looks more like Michael Biehn (father from T1) so that was an advantage.  Kristanna Loken was extremely well cast as the Terminatrix, but she just couldn't be as fearsome as Robert Patrick (T-1000 from T2).  But I don't think anyone could've played it better.  Even though the ending cries out for a 4th film.  It really doesn't need it cuz everything is explained here.  But if they do decide to make it, please god have Arnie come back.  It's not Terminator without him.  To sum it up, "If a terminator film can be this good without James Cameron directing, imagine how good it could've been with him."
894585
Entertainment Weekly recently touted the first sequel ("Terminator 2: Judgment Day") to this film as being one of The Twenty-Five Best Action Films of all time.  That title may be an accurate assessment of the non-stop action of the sequel but what would it have been without its predecessor which ranks as one of the best science fiction commentaries on the path that we may be going with our computer-dependent society.

James Cameron scored a casting coup when he gave the role to Arnold.  At the time, the muscle-bound actor had had a few films under his belt, films that played mostly on his physical appearance and his novice acting skills.  "The Terminator" character was short on dialogue but Cameron made the best of his star by providing him with one-line zingers and stares that could wake the dead.

To call the part "tailor-made" for Schwarzenegger would be a major understatement.  He was muy perfecto.

Linda Hamilton, not yet the household name that she would become for TV's "Beauty and the Beast," as well as not yet the future "Mrs. James Cameron," is appropriately confused and terrified as the waitress that would ultimately become the mother of the man that would rescue humanity.

Michael Biehn is well-cast as the other traveler from the future, intent on preventing Arnold's malevolent cyborg from doing his killing-thing.

Stan Winston's effects still hold their own after almost a quarter of a century.
3908479
That is a twist on the Terminator!!!! Give you all the kazoo's I have. Too bad it can only written as a short
735790
I always enjoyed the Terminator series.  Terminator 3 is great, but Terminator 4 just wasn't the same without Schwarzenegger.  Get the first 3 DVDs.  I prefer full screen over wide screen.  Just my opinion.
2767914
This movie is an interesting twist on the Terminator series. Kind of think the past meets the future in the present. If your a fan of the terminator movies you'll like this movie. Has the usual terminator action.
1494581
If Conor Sample, of 1 Wonderful Drive likes it--then I'm ordering it for sure.
Didn't the Terminator try to kill him?
2749680
It would be almost impossible for a T-3 to live up to the expectations of the Cameron purists who love the first two. I don't blame them--everyone has their opinion--but I loved the first two movies, and I was just as surprised as the other positive reviewers that I loved the third too.

This movie simply builds on the legacy of the first two in a logical and updated way. It keeps screwing with the impossible paradox of time travel and does so with very pleasantly surprising wit and just a touch of B-movie camp. Personally, when I go back and look at the first Terminator movie, I think that Nick Stahl as John Connor at 20-something really does look like he could be a son of Linda Hamilton and Michael Biehn. He has that scruffy look that Biehn had and the intense sullenness that Hamilton put to such good use in T2. His uncertainty about having to be the "destined leader" is dealt with in a swift but poignant way.

One needs to remember that although it is still Arnold the actor, the "fact" is, this is a DIFFERENT T-800 specimen, one that was programmed to have "psychology as a subroutine" and in its own "I'm not a robot, I'm a cyberkinetic organism" way, has its own "personality." This is a Terminator who has that weird wry sense of humor and mannerisms--it looks at the person pointedly before talking, it's obviously been programmed to like cool sunglasses...it's been "programmed" by the future Kate Brewster to not kill humans just as the young John did with his Terminator in T2, and to learn the lingo. The scene where Terminator goes shopping is pretty damn funny, and the cameo by a Terminator movie actor veteran is truly inspired.

There are subtle Terminator 1 and 2 tributes and witty layers to this movie that can be missed easily; I still catch nuances even after the fifth viewing. The extra on the DVD with Sgt. Candy is just awesome! (the commentary voice over by Arnold is pretty lame, IMO). The whole issue of "were we MEANT to be together" is played with very nicely...("I can't be meant for you... you're a mess!") ... the issue of how the future continues to be altered hangs true here. If there is a T-4, I hope it focuses on how the alternate realities plague the future Connor. Remember, he loses three or more of his key lieutenants in this movie...that will affect the inevitable war to come. Just what portions of the future CAN humans alter? Is it that there are basic events you can't change, but there are still things you can?

Although, sure, the character development isn't profound, it's certainly as good or better than any you see in a typical Hollywood movie. There's a nice Oedipal touch when Connor stares at the battle-crazed Kate Brewster and mumbles: "You remind me of my mother." It's also so damn refreshing to see strong, non-hyper-sexualized female characters (here, it's Kate Brewster, but I also love how they slyly make pointed fun of the buxom evil vixen prototype with the lovely Kristanna Loken's Terminatrix)in a sci-fi series. That's one factor that made the original Terminator movies great and it continues here, without the bad '80s hair. They have also updated the Judgement Day fable to accommodate 21st-century technology, what with the Internet and all, and leaves you still pondering the puzzle of what would happen if we were able to screw with the future.

Last but not least--for action fans, the car-crane-motorcyle scene through downtown LA is an absolute humdinger!

For me, nothing is better than a futuristic sci-fi flick that actually attempts to tell a story and say something about our society, technology and human nature. The first two Terminator movies did that, and so does T-3--just not in the exact same way that it would have if Cameron had still been involved. It's still a gem in its own right, with excellent acting, great special effects and a sense of humor.  What more could you want in a good movie?
2806967
I dislike the movie overall. It is too much like terminator 2. The graveyard scene, the whole terminator with emotions, and even the car chase is a little like terminator 2. The soundtrack is awful compared to T2, which has the best soundtrack EVER. But the movie does have action. Mabye a little comedy.
ACTION thats all that matters in the movie. Everything else is crap, but the action is great. The car chase where the sidewalk and stuff is decimated is pretty cool. There is more action, and some good effects.
The problems still. If you are looking for a good movie, forget it. The T-X is terrible. The bad guy in t2 was almost indestructible, but the T-X is killed so easily that she is almost a joke. The whole thought that machines would suddenly switch to a female terminator is stupid.
There is the problems I mentioned, but the biggest one is the ending. Well, theres this one part where they try to get into this super secret place but they are not told about the super secret place really. They use this book to find a code which gets them in, yet they were told that the place led them to somewhere else, so how did they get the code for the actual place they went to? I know that sounds really confusing, but when you see the movie mabye you will understand what I mean, not many others did.
The ending itself is terrible. Don't expect anything, you have to wait now for T4. WOOOO I cannot wait for that not to happen! No offence, but Arnold is getting way too old for this. I mean you can tell that he is getting older, so it is kind of ruining the point.
340915
When I watched the third Terminator movie a couple of weeks ago, I felt like it was beginning to feel old, familiar, and predictable.  Still, that movies ending, I was curious to see how the story would advance in the next film, Terminator: Salvation.  I was surprised to find they told a different kind of story in the familiar world of the franchise, and I liked the movie for that.

For the first time, the entire movie takes place in the post-apocalyptic future, aka 2018.  John Connor (Christian Bale) is leading the resistance, or at least part of the resistance, in Los Angeles.  While on a mission, he uncovers a device that might lead to the complete destruction of SkyNet.  And the timing couldn't be better since a new hit list has just come out with John as number two.  Number one?  A teenager named Kyle Reese (Anton Yelchin).

Tests of this new weapon are proving to be successful, but theres a complication.  Destroying SkyNet might also mean the destruction of Kyle.  John now needs to find a way to save his father, and he might have to rely on the most unlikely of sources for that help.

While we have seen glimpses of the future in the past movies, this is the first time weve spent much time there.  That alone was a nice change of pace since we can now see the future weve been hearing about and dreading.  Normally, Im not a fan of post-apocalyptic stories, so the fact that I was ready to explore this world says something about the franchise.

Another change that I liked was the fact that we didn't spend the entire movie running from terminators.  Yes, that aspect of the franchise was still there, but it wasn't the focus of the movie.  Instead, the focus was taking the battle to SkyNet while still preserving the past.  Plus we get a bit about the power struggle happening inside the resistance.

The thing we do still get are wonderful action scenes.  They had me glued to the screen since so much was happening so quickly I couldn't keep track of it any other way.  Was what we saw possible?  Probably not.  But it was so well done I really didn't care.  The special effects were wonderful as always for the franchise, too.

The one flaw I can see in the movie is the lack of character development.  I know, thats not usually a strong point in an action movie, but it is a flaw again here.  The only character I truly felt connected to was John Connor, and that was because this is the fourth movie telling his story.  Even then, he could have been a stronger character.

Not that Im blaming the actors.  They do a great job with the material they have.  Its the script that could have been stronger.

Speaking of actors, there is a noticeable absence in this film.  When the movie was made, Arnold Schwarzenegger was busy being the governator here in California, so the brief appearances of his face in the film are all CGI.

Weak characters aside, I still loved Terminator: Salvation because it told a new story in the world we already know.  Like the rest of the franchise, its a fun ride, so pop it in, sit back, and enjoy.
96013
In the overall timeline story arc of the Terminator world, this one is not so good. Not as awful as "Genesis" but no where near as great as the first two, but then, what is?
4374177
I did not really like Termin. Salvation too much.  Maybe because it's hard to imagine a terminator movie without Schwarzenegger but just could not really get into the film and found it to be a little boring.  There is a lot of action and sci fi scenes but the storyline just did not really interest me.  For someone who likes science fiction movies in general then you could find it entertaining but as for part of the terminator franchise it is my least favorite compared to the previous 3.

Peter J. Miller
2154219
To start off, this is a high octane supercharged action thriller. It has all the bells and the whistles. But, when it comes to the storyline, that's where it fails. T3 suffers from what I would call a lack of storyline or "substance" what the previous 2 Terminator movies have. This movie also lack the human emotion and/or journey that made Terminator 2:Judgment Day a flagship movie, even till this day. Don't get me wrong, Jonathan Mostow did a great job with this movie but the thing is, he played it safe by not explaining too much on the abovementioned. On the bright side, this movie gives us something that the previous 2 movies didn't: a face off with a female terminator(that ought to keep the temperature up a little). The trailer sequence was impressive. And when the story ends, there are possibilities for a fourth sequel cause this movie has not done a good job of "closing" the story for good. One more thing, the running time is a little too short for a Terminator movie, compared to T2, which is 2 hours over. To wrap this up, this movie is great for viewing on a lazy Saturday afternoon. For the Terminator purists out there, you might be a little disappointed for this movie is not to be taken seriously, in the whole Terminator trilogy.
227665
Gads! All the whining!

"Terminator: Salvation" did what it was supposed to do. ENTERTAIN! So the Blu-Ray edition had a director's cut, so the DVD didn't have extras. So all the folk who saw it at the theaters were stupid?

"Terminator: Salvation" is first and foremost, a Sci-Fi film (which means that it most likely will play fast and loose with things like physics, technical jargon, weapons with an unlimited supply of ammunition, among others. All three of the previous films of the franchise did the same thing (but it didn't stop any of the grousers from seeing it, anyway).

The story is only a snippet of the story of John Connor, meaning the franchise has a looooong way to go yet. I happen to like the "new" terminators (and there were a bunch!) introduced, and the pace was lightning quick, meaning I had to watch certain segments over, to get full effect. Yes, the acting was two-dimensional at times, but this is a Sci-Fi/Action film, and considering Schwartzeneggar's portrayals in the first three films, not unexpected. Still, the film doesn't suffer because of this. The story is still engrossing for those devotees of the franchise.

It's funny that with the exception of Christian Bale, the better known actors like Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Ironside and Jane Alexander were relegated to what were essentially bit parts. It's sad, too, because Jane Alexander is such a wonderful actress! The rest are relative unknowns, with maybe Anton Yelchin (Alpha Dog) and Bryce Dallas Howard being notable exceptions. Still, the performances were good.

I won't go into specific details of the story, as there are many here who just had to jump on their computer to get their reviews in FAST, so as to lay it bare, thinking they were doing us all a favor. Suffice to say, "Terminator:Salvation" is as good a Sci-Fi/Action film as you are likely to see, until maybe...."Avatar".