A quarter of a century ago, the first Terminator film was released. So, no one's going to fault you if you can't remember James Cameron's original storyline and setup. (Actually, I asked Cameron about his thoughts regarding the studios choice to continue the film series without his best wishes - Click here for that). T2 impressed me greatly, but nearly 20 years ago now, I shouldn't be surprised that the specifics of the story are a bit murky in my head. Though, not to the same extent, I did enjoy T3, I unfortunately can't say the same of Salvation.

Here the script feels as murky as my memory. Who is this Marcus Wright? How does he fit into the past or the future? Is he a sort of prototype for the Arnold terminator? Why was he locked away so long? Why does Connor react to him with such contempt, especially after practically being raised by something similar in T2? Why aren't these questions sufficiently addressed in this film, especially for such a crucial character? Fortunately, Sam Worthington brings this mysterious half man/half machine to life with great confidence and charisma, without which T4 would likely be an entire loss. Bale as Connor is likeable, but takes a backseat to Worthington in script and performance.

For humans, things didn't go so well at the end of T3, so T4 starts its story in 2018 after Judgment day. This is a film without civilization, no real world people, just a landscape limited to stark dusty urban ruin. I often feel cloustaphobic in these kinds of films. The massive machines appear from nowhere with a good cinematic scare. But when a few fleshy humans can outrun them, it does start to feel ridiculous. Powerful, innovative action will often work to forgive that. And T4 has some awesome action -- but not quite enough to distract me from my common senses. Lastly, I wanted more interaction between Connor and Kyle. More dramatic meat. But, the film whole heartedly invests in action, leaving the story and character elements a bit slim.

Overall, this is a clear "B" film. However, an out-of-place event in the resolution serves to undermine what was left of dramatic impact. I walked out of the theater with a bad after-taste because of it, so I'm going with a "B-."

-- Books by Author/Illustrator Ross Anthony --