TERMINATOR: SALVATION (REVIEW)
In
the latest edition of the Terminator mythology, humanity's war against the machines
continues - very loudly. In what seems to be two hours of explosions across the
bleak screen, 'Salvation' is set around ten years after the events of the last
film.
Judgement Day was always going to happen and has since
come and gone, while Los Angeles circa 2018 is an apocalyptic wasteland in the
Mad Max sense. Bands of survivors known as the Resistance, led by John Connor
(Christian Bale) are still fighting against Skynet and its army of robotic terminators.
While offering hope and rallying his troops, Connor comes across machines in all
shapes and sizes.
The giant transformer like 'harvestor' is
one of the most threatening as it selects humans picking them up with its metallic
pincers to kidnap and later use their flesh as an ingredient to upgrading their
artificial intelligence. The motorcycle terminators are also very exciting and
provide an unexpected Guns N' Roses moment in a nod to T2.
However,
the inclusion of a face-off between the angst ridden Conner and mystery drifter
Marcus Wright (Australian Sam Worthington) is a highlight of intensity. In the
opening scene, we are introduced to Marcus donating his body to science under
possibly false circumstances and little to say in the matter as he faces death
row. When he appears later in the film, he who may or may not be a hybrid stands
out more than holding his own opposite the almighty Christian Bale. Worthington
is about to take Hollywood by storm.
The appealing newcomer,
Moon Bloodgood, as a feisty fighter pilot is super cool with a touch of bite.
She makes a significant choice of what separates man from machine. The legendary
Michael Ironside ('Scanners', 'Top Gun') is an ingenious inclusion, while rapper
Common is also good as an aggressive soldier, but everyone loses out to the commanding
Worthington.
As a young boy avoiding school to see the original
'Terminator' in 1984, then seeing it again and again, I'm an aficionado, but the
mythology is now being stretched. That said, there is some superior heart stopping
sequences and a glimpse of a T-800 that will be a familiar face to many.
The
problems with the timeline and outrageous ending aside - buckle up for an explosive
film blending action with feeling.
Shane A. Bassett
