Terminator Salvation [DVD] -

Terminator Salvation DVD

This DVD was bought as a Christmas present. After ordering, the DVD was received by return of post and the packaging was in excellent condition. I have not had any adverse feedback regarding the present, and can only presume everything was in order when the DVD package was opened.

......" win or lose, this war ends tonight! "......

Terminator: Salvation (otherwise known as Terminator 4) is the next chapter in the saga and revolves around a major holocaust on humanity inflicted by Sky-net. John Connor (played by Christian Bale) leads a human army against the machines, in order to stop them from eliminating the small pockets of human resistance.

Christian Bale is not convincing as John Connor and this is a real shame, but Sam Worthington excels in his moody performance as Marcus Right. The underlying issues e.g. human value and struggle can only help to increase its appeal, and these issues are inherently there and touched on throughout. However, the film should come with a health warning as it is highly stylised and the action can be dizzying due to the constant panning. It is unrealistic in parts and even though Arnold Schwarzenegger is not in the movie per say, there is an interesting surprise in store!

This is an alternative approach to the normal Terminator movies and a simpler storyline has been adopted. Character development is not a major area of concern for McG, but as far as the action goes; there is always something going on. Many viewers will have expected something bigger and grander but Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines has already made us accustomed to mediocrity. Its not worthy of being mentioned with the first two movies but then again, compared to Terminator 3 it is a vast improvement.

McG directs with style over substance and Terminator Salvation is not a film that takes itself too seriously. However McG does deserves credit for creating a truly apocalyptic atmosphere and for the ever present testosterone charged action. As an action film it is as good as any other that has been released in this day and age, but made slighter better or rather slightly more interesting by the fact that its part of a jigsaw piece from a major Hollywood franchise.

Better than I expected!

Many of the reviews I read for this film prior to release gave me the impression that the film is a train wreck. Indeed, they were bad enough that, given my work schedule, I didn't make the effort to see the film in the cinema. Finally, a friend lent me the Blu-ray and after leaving it on a shelf for six weeks, I decided to watch it one evening and was surprised to find myself enjoying it.

Sam Worthington's performance is particularly of note and Moon Bloodgood is a very good foil for him. Christian Bale, whom I rate highly as an actor is only so so in the film: his delivery of his first words is enough to induce giggles and gave me the feeling he was doing his 'Batman voice'.

I like the idea that this is a different future from the one Michael Biehn's Kyle Reese came back from in the first Terminator film: a future influenced by the time travelling events of the first trilogy. It also leaves room for the likes of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles to exist in a parallel timeline. Anton Yelchin is likeable as Kyle Reese, but not quite the 'great evocation' of Michael Biehn's performance some claim it to be. The hybrid Roland Kickinger/CGI Schwarzenegger Terminator is considerably better than I expected it to be.

The story feels rather unbalanced in trying to deal with both Bale's Connor and Worthington's Marcus and the ending of the movie doesn't work for me at all. I've only watched the extended cut, but an early scene where Michael Ironside's character pulls a gun on John Connor is, to me, a critical relationship moment and thematically relevant to the time travelling background of the original films that is, apparently, lost in the theatrical cut.

All in all, a better-than-expected movie, closer in quality to Terminator 3 than Terminators 1 and 2. Like T3, it feels more like a 'non-canon' tie-in novel interpretation of the mythos, but it's still fun and I would like to see a sequel.

The Blu-ray itself has gorgeous picture quality and strong sound that delivered a real bass kick from the woofer in my system. There are certainly many worse ways to spend an evening than watching Terminator: Salvation!

1 SERIOUS FLAW in PACKAGING!

I enjoyed the film, but it was a bit of a letdown with Sam Worthington. I think having a picture of him on the back of the box as a terminator gave the game away quite a bit!

Fantastic Quality

Great movie came to life in Bluray. Sound and picture quality outstanding, your neighbours will think you have a helicopter taking off in your lounge! Lots of extras and unique directors cut view, still exploring it all. Would recommend to others.