T4 - Salvaged
Still drooling over T2? Pining for Cameron to be back? Then this may not be for you, for everyone else, there’s a highly entertaining summer action blockbuster that won’t let you down.
This is a new saga in every sense. It's only reference to the initial trilogy - apart from one catch line used by Connor - is by means of voice recordings of Sarah Connor, a tool John Connor uses to guide him in his quest to fight and end the war against the machines. There are no flashbacks and no cheesy montages which is good, because this film should be graded as a stand-alone film.
This film is set in 2018, so it skips the immediate post skynet becoming self aware nuclear war. Instead you're thrown straight into the heart of the struggle, where both sides feel they are close to winning and in ways you, the audience, might not have guessed. The plot is well enough hidden from being too easily revealed in the trailer and internet leaks. This was a pleasure, because firstly it’s quite rare that such a summer blockbuster has a multi-layered plot, and secondly that the true nature of the plot stay hidden until release date.
The key characters are John Connor (Christian Bale), Marcus Wright (newcomer Sam Worthington, hand picked by Bale) and Kyle Reese (Anton Yelchin). So not only do you have the raging war to consider, but also you realise the time travel factor in the fate of Connor, knowing he must find and protect Reese (his father). It adds to the twist, but does detract from the surprise element.
The sets look impressive, version 1.1 of the Terminators look original in their many guises, and the war comes across more evenly than you would initially think. There are some immense scenes, in particular the harvester scene, during which a100ft robot machine is out to collect humans, leading into Terminator Ducati-like motorbikes chasing down Wright and Reese. Intense!
As you can tell, I’m sold on this film and I could go on praising it. I know there are harsh critics out there, and I can see their points of view, but I’m convinced they are too closely attached to T2, and therein lies the problem.
Go to see the past and you’ll be let down, but expect something new and you’ll enjoy the 90 minutes ahead of you.
This film is set in 2018, so it skips the immediate post skynet becoming self aware nuclear war. Instead you're thrown straight into the heart of the struggle, where both sides feel they are close to winning and in ways you, the audience, might not have guessed. The plot is well enough hidden from being too easily revealed in the trailer and internet leaks. This was a pleasure, because firstly it’s quite rare that such a summer blockbuster has a multi-layered plot, and secondly that the true nature of the plot stay hidden until release date.
The key characters are John Connor (Christian Bale), Marcus Wright (newcomer Sam Worthington, hand picked by Bale) and Kyle Reese (Anton Yelchin). So not only do you have the raging war to consider, but also you realise the time travel factor in the fate of Connor, knowing he must find and protect Reese (his father). It adds to the twist, but does detract from the surprise element.
The sets look impressive, version 1.1 of the Terminators look original in their many guises, and the war comes across more evenly than you would initially think. There are some immense scenes, in particular the harvester scene, during which a100ft robot machine is out to collect humans, leading into Terminator Ducati-like motorbikes chasing down Wright and Reese. Intense!
As you can tell, I’m sold on this film and I could go on praising it. I know there are harsh critics out there, and I can see their points of view, but I’m convinced they are too closely attached to T2, and therein lies the problem.
Go to see the past and you’ll be let down, but expect something new and you’ll enjoy the 90 minutes ahead of you.
Here Is The Writer : Omer Bhatti
Omer Bhatti, Head Sales Trader of WorldSpreads and markets commentator during the week, is always happy to go to a cushy cinema and devour films on the weekend. No film is ruled out, be it French film noir, Hollywood CGI action, or Japanese Manga. Look to Omer for input on where to go and what to see, whether it’s for a first date, family outing, Sunday recovery session, or guy's - or girl's - night out. (Just don't make him watch Sex & the City again.)
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