There are only a few days left to enjoy this film that turns 15 years old and that, with a budget of 200 million dollars, became the most expensive in one of the most iconic science fiction franchises.
The saga of Terminator It has always been linked to a crucial event: the Day of Judgment. In James Cameron’s early films it was a nuclear Armageddon that could not be stopped, only delayed. As the franchise evolved, it became a narrative less about preventing the apocalypse and more about accepting it.
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines launched the series headlong into Judgment Day, setting the stage for a characteristically grim sequel. Was there really anywhere the Terminator could go next?
The fourth movie Terminator Salvationanswers that question in the most forceful way possible. In an ideal world, Terminator 2: Judgment Day would have been the first and only Terminator sequel. And since studios like to make money, did it make sense to show audiences a post-Judgment Day world?
On Netflix: Christian Bale and Sam Worthington in ‘Terminator Salvation’
Terminator Salvation which is still available in the catalog of Netflixhad a budget of $200 million, making it the most expensive film in the franchise to date. Directed by McG, known for his work in the films Charlie’s Angelsthe production went through numerous problems that culminated in the bankruptcy of the production company shortly after the premiere.
The writing of the script passed through several hands, including John Brancato, Michael Ferris, Paul Haggis and Jonathan Nolan, reflecting the complexity and expectations placed on this ambitious but problematic installment of the Terminator franchise. Although it wasn’t the most popular choice, 15 years later, Salvation is far from the worst the franchise has ever produced.
Salvation takes us to 2018, more than a decade into the battle between the self-aware Skynet and what remains of humanity. John Connor (Christian bale) is now an adult, but he’s not exactly the savior of humanity he was supposed to be. Bale, fresh from the success of Batman: The Dark Knighte, is intense, turning Connor into a very different character from the carefree teenager of Terminator 2 and the naive young man Terminator 3.
Bale’s John Connor finds an interesting counterpoint in Marcus (Sam Worthington), an executed inmate turned into a T-800. Before Judgment Day, Marcus donated his body to Skynet’s corporate creator, Cyberdine. When he wakes up decades later, staggering through a quagmire like Frankenstein’s monster, the world has ended and he has no idea that he is a machine.
In his search for answers, he crosses paths with another franchise favorite, Kyle Reese. Played by Anton Yelchin, Reese is different from the character most fans knew. Here, he is youthful and inexperienced, forcing Marcus to take him under his wing.
Salvation It’s not perfect, but it pushed the franchise into surprisingly emotional territory. Its action sequences are dynamic and balanced with quiet moments that bring this arid wasteland to life. The choices the film makes aren’t terribly original, but they are deployed with restraint and skill. Plus, it’s the first and only Terminator movie set entirely in the “future,” which has its merit.
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