In the desolate aftermath of Skynet’s rise and subsequent nuclear annihilation of humanity, a grim war rages on. The remnants of mankind battle relentless machines, a struggle with no end in sight. Amidst this apocalyptic landscape, John Connor, a key figure in the Resistance, uncovers access codes to the very frequencies that control the Terminators during a raid on a Skynet base.
A Glimmer of Hope and Shadows of the Past
As the Resistance prepares for a decisive strike, Connor finds himself haunted by a different mission. Clutching a photograph of Sarah Connor, he grapples with the impending task of saving Kyle Reese, the young man destined to travel back in time and become his father. Fate, however, has more in store for Connor. A mysterious ally emerges in the form of Marcus Wright, a death row inmate from before the Skynet cataclysm. Somehow, after his execution, Marcus awakens in this nightmarish future, driven by an unknown purpose to protect Reese.
From Terminator to War Movie
For those yearning for the return of Schwarzenegger’s iconic Terminator, director McG delivers – albeit through the magic of CGI. Yet, the true surprise lies in the film’s transformation. “Terminator Salvation” bears a striking resemblance to a large scale war movie, complete with aerial battles, naval engagements, minefields, and all the trappings of the genre. The fact that the enemy is a horde of bloodthirsty robots rather than soldiers in helmets hardly changes the equation.
Actors and Machines
This epic, militaristic approach places the actors in an unusual position. Christian Bale as Connor and Anton Yelchin as Reese, along with the rest of the cast, primarily adopt a stoic, military demeanor, showcasing their physical prowess. This shift allows the focus to fall squarely on the Terminators themselves, each more terrifying than the last. From the aquatic, eel-like machine to the lightning-fast motorcycle Terminator and the colossal 50-foot Reaper, the film is a non-stop thrill ride.
The Essence of the Fight
Ultimately, the film loses sight of the human element. Saving humanity becomes an abstract concept, difficult to connect with emotionally. The original “Terminator” was a B-movie about a human facing an angel of destruction, while “Terminator 2” explored the idea of an angel of destruction choosing not to destroy. The stark contrast between good and evil was palpable, a feat rarely matched since.
In “Terminator Salvation,” the angels of destruction are reduced to mere machines, and Skynet is no longer a sinister god but a supercomputer. McG effectively reboots the Terminator saga for a modern audience. With no one to truly empathize with and the war against Skynet seemingly endless, viewers are left to simply marvel at the spectacle of explosions.