Terminator 4 (and also now 5) merged--updates--MET

[HSW]

That is too bad then because I did not think Star Trek was all that great.

[WhoRUSupposed2Be]

That is too bad then because I did not think Star Trek was all that great.

Wow, tell me something that I don't know.

I did not follow the Star Trek installments so they only person I could name off top is Luke (or is Duke)

[Ghost of Nibbs McPimpin]

Wow, tell me something that I don't know.

I did not follow the Star Trek installments so they only person I could name off top is Luke (or is Duke)

That's Star Wars. Wait, you're kidding right?

Luke?


That's STAR WARS.

In our culture, how the hell do people NOT know the difference between Star Trek/Star Wars. Seriously?!

[ixcuincle]

RT did not give it a favorable review. 38% or something

www.rottentomatoes.com

[ArmchairRedskin]

I've now seen this. I'm a huge fan of the Terminator series and T1 and T2 rank among my favorite movies of all time. I'll even watch T3 if it's on tv. So with that in mind and me trying my best to be objective, here's what I think.


The action was awesome. I don't thinkn there's been a movie that relied that heavily on effects and looked that good from start to finish.

Marcus' character was far and away the best thing about this movie. The actor playing him (I wanna say it's Sam Worthington?) has a lot of charisma. He and Blair had a really good dynamic together.

Arnie's "appearance" was a really well done effect. He looked young and real.

Christian Bale once again plays a character who should have a lot of charisma as a one note bore. Just like in Batman, he plays this guy in the range from sort of pissed off to really pissed off. Seriously, Bale, how about you try to get a wider range of emotions into your parts? That dude seriously was disappointing as a guy you would figure to be either a really dynamic hero that is truly a great leader, or a really tragic figure who is caught between who he is and who thinks he should be. Bale projects none of that.


The story is servicable, the script lacked character moments. Nobody was really fleshed out and some of the actors were wasted.Bryce Dallas Howard had little to do, Michael Ironsides was really a waste in his role, and Helen Bonham Carter made a weird transition in character from the start of the movie to the end. Unless I missed something there seems to be a major disconnect in how she acts with no explanation. Maybe there is a lot of stuff that ended up on the cutting room floor? Maybe they decided to go full bore action for the theater release, I dunno. What I do know is there seems to be dialogue missing.


Anyway, if you wanna see the Resistance vs Skynet and some really cool action scenes, then this movie delivers. If you want a gripping story set in the Terminator universe, then you're gonna be disappointed. You may want to wait for the unrated/directors cut DVD release to see if they actually have some missing dialogue that gives it's characters better life and motivation.

I'd give this a 7/10

[styx491]

Armchair, I agree with almost everything you said except I though Bale did a really good job, as did Worthington. What you saw as one note issues I saw as character, and he developed pretty nicely. I totally think they left a ton of stuff out too, because a lot could be explained but wasn't. I also think the ending seemed rushed, it went balls to the wall for 2 hours and then kinda just fizzled without much oomph as it had going for it, and then it was over.

And man does it go balls to the wall haha, the action is pretty much the best I've ever seen. I can't think of a movie off the top of my head with better action scenes and effects than this one. I recommend watching it in theaters for the action and effects, and hopefully you'll enjoy the actors and the attempt at a story enough to get your money's worth.


Spoilers ahead.

They could have added a LOT more than just a simple head nod from Connor to Marcus as a thank you for Marcus giving Connor his ****ING HEART! These two great characters could have had an amazing moment here ala the Joker and Batman's last convo. In the end, this was just another episode in the Terminator saga, and that is how it's played.

[TK]

The action was great. Hell it's almost ALL action. The story however needed to be fleshed out a bit more. Character development seemed like a foriegn concept. I'm thinking a lot of us had gotten spoiled by the writing of the Sarah Conner Chronicles. The Arnold CGI bit was a very nice touch though. And it's also interesting that Conner is now alive because of the transplant which really cause him some internal striff & conflicts for the next film.

[Metalhead]

Armchair, I agree with almost everything you said except I though Bale did a really good job, as did Worthington. What you saw as one note issues I saw as character, and he developed pretty nicely. I totally think they left a ton of stuff out too, because a lot could be explained but wasn't. I also think the ending seemed rushed, it went balls to the wall for 2 hours and then kinda just fizzled without much oomph as it had going for it, and then it was over.

And man does it go balls to the wall haha, the action is pretty much the best I've ever seen. I can't think of a movie off the top of my head with better action scenes and effects than this one. I recommend watching it in theaters for the action and effects, and hopefully you'll enjoy the actors and the attempt at a story enough to get your money's worth.


Spoilers ahead.

They could have added a LOT more than just a simple head nod from Connor to Marcus as a thank you for Marcus giving Connor his ****ING HEART! These two great characters could have had an amazing moment here ala the Joker and Batman's last convo. In the end, this was just another episode in the Terminator saga, and that is how it's played.

I agree with you and Armchair all the way. I thought it was a really good movie until the end.

The action, special effects, and look of a post-apocalyptic world is the best I've seen. The opening event in the satellite field was exceptional and had some fantastic camera work and angles, not to mention the helicopter crash. Possibly the best action sequence ever imo.

Now, what is the point of critically injuring Connor with 5 minutes remaining if you are going to wrap it up in a lame, convenient little bow? Just to support a scenario that could kill Marcus? It's too bad they botched the ending, it had a lot of potential. I found it strange that they never showed Marcus after the surgery/transplant. Also, I didn't detect any glaring loose ends so what is going to happen in the next film? Or should there even be one?

So what's with the bad ratings and reviews? Star Trek was weak, excruciatingly cliche, had pointless events and was predictable...yet is the "one to beat". Yes it was fun and had great pacing, but it appears to be over-hyped due to nostalgia alone. And Star Trek had an even more absurd time travel conundrum than the Terminator franchise.

[TK]

and look of a post-apocalyptic world is the best I've seen. The opening event in the satellite field was exceptional and had some fantastic camera work and angles, not to mention the helicopter crash. Possibly the best action sequence ever imo.


So what's with the bad ratings and reviews? Star Trek was weak, excruciatingly cliche, had pointless events and was predictable...yet is the "one to beat". Yes it was fun and had great pacing, but it appears to be over-hyped due to nostalgia alone. And Star Trek had an even more absurd time travel conundrum than the Terminator franchise.

That gritty look the film had was really well done. And the copter crash surpassed that crash scene in Black Hawk Down. I can't wait til this comes out on Blu Ray.

I think Trek is still the one to beat though due to pacing & comedy at the right times & in the right doses. Plus, even though Trek had the nostalgia thing going for it, the character development was much better.


EDIT

Guns N Roses' You Could Be Mine was also a really cool attention to detail add in. I'm surprised no one else has mentioned that T2 tie in yet.

[Metalhead]

That gritty look the film had was really well done. And the copter crash surpassed that crash scene in Black Hawk Down. I can't wait til this comes out on Blu Ray.

I think Trek is still the one to beat though due to pacing & comedy at the right times & in the right doses. Plus, even though Trak had the nostalgia thing going for it, the character development was much better.


EDIT

Guns N Roses' You Could Be Mine was also a really cool attention to detail add in. I'm surprised no one else has mentioned that tie in yet.

I definitely agree with you on character development. Star Trek did an amazing job of casting, very impressive.

I noticed a few things that were tie-ins, the GNR song being one of them. Another being the one-handed shotgun pump by Kyle when he was on the towtruck vehicle. It may be pushing it as a nod, but I knew I saw it before.

[Bayunco]

the scene when they were escaping from the camp through the minefield was sick. i felt like i was there, the sound was amazing. cant wait for the blu ray as well!

[Destino]

action was good, plot had holes large enough for a skynet prisoner transport, and Christian Bale once again sucked. I don't see how he gets so much good press the guy over does the anger and "tough guy" voice all the time and has no other gear to switch into.

6/10

[Skins24]

I found it strange that they never showed Marcus after the surgery/transplant. Also, I didn't detect any glaring loose ends so what is going to happen in the next film? Or should there even be one?

I think they should continue. There's going to be two more right?
That's probably why they didn't show Marcus. I don't think he's done...

Anyway, good very enjoyable movie. Great action!
Star Trek may be a bit better, but not by much IMO.

[styx491]

action was good, plot had holes large enough for a skynet prisoner transport, and Christian Bale once again sucked. I don't see how he gets so much good press the guy over does the anger and "tough guy" voice all the time and has no other gear to switch into.

6/10

I recommend American Psycho, The Machinist, and Rescue Dawn. Three characters who are totally different and totally unique.

[Skins PR]

Saw it last night. This movie blooooooooooooows.

The acting was terrible. The ending was stupid and pointless. The characters all sucked. Why didn't the machines just shoot Connor's father in the head once they identified him? What was up with the lady at the end telling Marcus that so many machines before him had failed to kill Connor? They hadn't sent anyone back in time yet. How do they even know that Connor is such a big deal?

Negative Infinity / 10