Terminator Salvation Review

Terminator Salvation was a one of those movies that was fun to sit through, but easy to forget. That is the best way I can sum up this some what average entry in the Terminator series. Salvation is an improvement on the abomination that was Terminator 3, but it still falls way short from the greatness of the first 2 films.

Now, it does not go without saying that it is a very enjoyable pop corn summer movie. So within the summer movie season, Terminator Salvation fits right in with all the other run of the mill fare that comes out during this time, but that is where the problem lies. I have to put part of the blame on MCG, he is not a talented director when it comes to character development and story structure, but he is a proficient action director. Though, I have to point out that some of the best action sequences in Salvation were pale imitations of other films. Once the movie was over, I noticed that some of the most thrilling sequences had an air of deja-vu to them. Nevertheless, the action is non-stop and mostly crowd-pleasing.

When it came to the characters, that is where the movie got lost. The only character that evolves or has any kind of arch is Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington). Every other character in the movie is paper-thin and have no dimension to them. Christian Bale does the best he can with the part of John Conner. He tries to add feeling and depth into a superficially written role. At certain points, Connor comes off as an egotistical guy with a messianic complex. He talks about saving civilians trapped within Skynet, but only goes to save Kyle Reese, after which he decides to nuke the Skynet facility filled with countless civilians still trapped within its walls. So John Conner was only using saving civilians as an excuse to assure his conception, this isn't the Connor that James Cameron popularized. Also, for a series known for presenting strong female characters (Sarah Connor), the women in Salvation are given nothing to do. Blair Williams (Moon Bloodgood) serves as only a means to get Marcus Wright out of containment and Kate Connor (Bryce Dallas Howard) is a pregnant docile housewife, who can apparently do open heart surgery in a bunker with no supplies in a barren future...so maybe I do have to give her some respect.

The plot of the movie has the same problems the characters do, it is as thought out as the Resistance's plan to disable Skynet. If you take the time to dissect any part of the story, the movie comes crumbling down like a house of cards. Fortunately, MCG keeps everything moving so fast, you won't notice. So was Terminator Salvation worth all the work? No, not really, it is an entertaining action movie, but it lacks (ironically) a heart and soul.

Terminator series Mini-Reviews

So Terminator Salvation arrives in theaters tomorrow. The early reviews and word of mouth have not been good. What can you expect with a director like McG? Aside from his great track record of Charlies Angles films, superficial music videos, and a juvenile name (McG really? Somehow he got rapper confused with film director), I'm sure he was the best choice to helm the 4th installment in the Terminator franchise..cough, cough. However, until I check out the film, I will reserve judgment on it. Instead, I'm going to do a mini-review of all 3 of the Terminator films, that's right even the sub-par Rise of the Machines. James Cameron's Terminator has become embedded in pop-culture. So much so, that it has it's own ride in Universal Studios; that's how you know it's reached a plateau of popularity beyond a simple 80's film about an assassin cyborg from the future. What all started with a fever dream or inspiration from an Outer Limits episode, depending on which story you subscribe to, has produced 2 classic films, one mediocre and another one on the way. So where to start, as the saying goes, At the beginning:

THE TERMINATOR (1984): Well, if you haven't checked out the one that started it all, I suggest you go to your nearest video store, run don't walk. This is the film that made Arnold, oh wait, I'm sorry, the current Governor of California's career. Who knows where he would be if it wasn't for his turn as a killer cyborg from the future. This is the one with that really cool quote that has become part of the social conscious, "I'll be back." The Terminator was James Cameron's breakout film, before he did this, he was doing low-budget Roger Corman movies. Ah, and of course, the beautiful and talented Linda Hamilton also got her break in this film. Unfortunately, Micheal Biehn was not as lucky as his colleagues, but Cameron still threw him many roles in his future films, so maybe he didn't have it that bad after all. Either way, I've gotten off subject, the point is that this film was made for a very independent low-budget, yet it achieves so much. That is because it is built on ideas and Cameron understands how to shape a smart entertaining story. Sure, there is the whole time-travel conundrum, so Kyle Reese is John Connor's father, wait...what? Nevertheless, it doesn't become that much of a problem until the third film, which screws everything up, but let's move on to the superior sequel to this film.

TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY (1991): I like to compare this and The Terminator, the same way I like to compare Alien and Aliens (which James Cameron directed). T2 (as it is called in many circles) is a superior sequel that expands on the original. The stakes are amped up and the characters are fleshed out a bit more. The infamous and menacing T-1000 is a formidable opponent in this film. The terminator from the last film (T-800) has been sent back in time, re-programed to protect John Connor. The decision to make the villain from the original an underdog cyborg protecting the protagonists in this film is an inspired choice. One of the most impressive things about T2 is how much humanity they add to the mechanical Terminator character, making him almost a father figure to John Connor. Also, surprising enough, this film has a very subtle non-violence message hidden beneath it's action orientated machinery. The ending climax of the film is amazing and it even pulls at the heart strings a bit. As Tim from Spaced would say, "you think I'm unemotional, don't you? I can be emotional, Jesus, I cried like a child at the end of Terminator 2, you know with the thumb and the molten...you know." Terminator 2 is the standard, I think, all sequels should strive for. Alas, though, once James Cameron left, we got....

TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES (2003): Oh, where to start with this one? After 2 great films, we get this mediocre pass for an entry. Everything that is established in the previous film is unraveled in this one. In the previous film, Judgement Day is prevented; therefore, we get the whole idea that we make our own fate. Then in Terminator 3 we find out, oh no, yeah, you know that whole fate can be changed thing, not really true, you can only delay fate for while. This means that everything the characters attempted to do in the past adds up to nothing in the end. No matter what they did they couldn't change the outcome of things. Hence, what was the point of going through the motions? I mean, I understand that Judgment Day needs to happen in order to justify Connor's conception and everything else in the Terminator universe, but it could have been executed in a much more meaningful way. Also, the time-travel conundrum becomes increasingly obvious in this film. So, John Connor's existence is based off a string of paradoxes, it's never been so utterly noticeable before...thank you, Terminator 3 for ruining my memories of the last 2 films. All in all, I could go on and on about how much I don't like this film. I mean it is entertaining at times and it does provide some (albiet rushed) logical answers, but it is the weakest entry in the Terminator franchise so far.

Classic or Remake?

I just finished reading an article in Empire magazine about a few classic films returning to theaters. Some of these films include: Spartacus, The Blues Brothers, Scarface, The Thing and Animal House. Now this is what needs to happen, forget remakes, if production companies want to introduce a new generation to old classics, just re-release them in theaters.

Why should a hack director and writer molest a classic film by putting a unnecessary modern spin that will willingly pander to the lowest common denominator? Now don't get me wrong, there are few remakes, which in the right hands, could expand further than the original. Unfortunately, for every successful remake, there are a thousand unsuccessful ones to take its place. Therefore, for every The Fly there is another The Hitcher remake around the horizon.

The impact of atrocious remakes is never been felt more than in the Horror genre. What was once a thriving genre, in terms of ingenuity and creativity, is now reduced to prepubescent fast food for the ADD masses. So it fills me with great satisfaction when I hear that a classic horror film like John Carpenter's The Thing, which is ironically a successful remake of a 1950's film, is getting another opportunity in theaters. However, it is up to us, the theatergoers, to demand this. If we continue to reward pointless remakes, we are just going to continue to get more of the same. That's right, if you enjoy watching your favorite classics get the same treatment as the economy during the Bush years, then continue advocating pointless remakes...what's the worst that could happen, right?

Searching for Lost Time.

Today has been an uneventful day. It's interesting when we can go through an entire day accomplishing absolutely nothing. How did I spend 12 hours of my day, well it consisted of abysmal television programing. As you can already guess, this could veer into a rant about the low quality of modern television. No, but that would be obvious, as an alternative I will name a few classic novels I have yet to read and could have read all today, had I taken the initiative. Here is a list of few great novels I should of been reading, instead of wasting my last few remaining brain cells on That 70's Show reruns.

1. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

2. The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler

3. East of Eden by John Steinbeck

4. I, Claudius by Robert Graves

5. The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

6. Herzog by Saul Bellow

7. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

8. The Road by Cormac McCarthy

9. Remembrance of Things Past by Marcel Proust

10. Survivor by Chuck Palahniuk

The Office Season 5 Finale

Well I have to say, season 4 and 5 of The Office has been way better than I thought they would be, especially season 5. A lot of shows fall into the trap of getting lazy as the seasons go on but the American version of The Office has actually improved as it has progressed. Sure it has become more far-fetched and over the top. However, it has also brought the laugh quotient up as a result of it. So I kept wondering how are they going to end this season, after the fiasco that was the Micheal Scott Paper Company.

Well the season finale starts at a company picnic. The branches are playing volleyball against each other and of course Dwight is set on winning. Micheal meets up with Holly again and they hit it off as they try to create a sketch for the picnic, which of course is awkward and goes wrong. As per usual, the episode ends on a cliffhanger, involving Pam and Jim; I won't say what it is for those of you who have not watched the episode.

I have to say I was impressed with the way they handled the Micheal and Holly situation. It is easy to figure out from the very moment that they introduced Holly that her and Micheal were destined for each other. Of course they would be the most socially inept couple to currently reach the airwaves, but that is what makes them so endearing. Well eventually Holly left the Scranton branch and Micheal was alone again; he did try to reunite with her, only to find out that she was dating someone else. In this episode though, it is apparent that Micheal and Holly will be the "will they, wont they" couple of the series for seasons to come, maybe along with Andy and the new receptionist. It is interesting to note how Micheal and Holly's relationship parallels with Jim and Pam's revelation at the end of the episode. I hope the writers are able to keep the show evolving in the next season.

In Heaven Everything is Fine...

So they were showing Eraserhead on Sundance and I said why not check it out. I have to say that I forgot how unnerving it was, especially at night. Eraserhead is the kind of film that almost gives off that tangible feeling you get after waking up from a nightmare, once it's over. David Lynch is an expert at designing an atmosphere of dread through sound and surreal imagery. He knows how to get into your head and stay there for a while, destroying everything that you find normal and safe.

Eraserhead is one of those films you either love or hate. Usually if you love it, you can only watch it once or twice, it isn't the type of film you check out for fun...unless your emotionally disturbed, no offense to those who disagree with me. I once heard someone call it the anti-date movie; so if you ever want to test your significant other, put it at the top of your list. Nevertheless, it is one of those films that does leave a mark, no matter what your opinion of it is. Usually everyone has different reactions to it, but it is usually always surrounded with a feeling of disgust or confusion. Most people are just left wondering and scratching their head, "What just happened, what was that all about?" That's usually when I answer, "How about another David Lynch film, to take off the edge?"

What came first the music or the misery?

In honor of High Fidelity, here is my top 10 list of albums to listen to when your in a state of melancholy or lovelorn. Why waste your time chasing after the girl of your dreams, when you can crawl into the fetal position and listen to great music?

1. The Smiths - Singles

2. Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures

3. The Cure - Disintegration

4. Radiohead - The Bends

5. Pink Floyd - The Wall

6. Elliot Smith - Elliot Smith

7. Sigur Ros - ( ) "The Bracket Album"

8. The Jesus and Mary Chain - Psychocandy

9. Alice in Chains - Jar of Flies

10. M83 - Before the Dawn Heals Us

Review: STAR TREK

Gene Roddenberry's original Star Trek series is the gold standard when it comes to science fiction. So when J.J. Abrams decided to go back to Captain Kirk, Spock and the old crew of the Enterprise, it was a welcomed surprise. I have to admit, I was never a huge fan of the Next Generation crew, nothing against Picard, but he is no match to the charisma of Kirk. Star Trek has been in need of a reboot for a while. The atrocious Nemesis was the last nail in the coffin for the Next Generation Star Trek movies. The series has been running on steam for many years now and it was about time it reached out to the masses.

Star Trek was never as understood as say something like Star Wars. It simply was because, in my opinion, Star Trek was the more mature concept. Nevertheless, Star Wars was always more dramatically involved and more fun all around. However, J.J. Abrams has learned to reintroduce the more exhilarating side of Star Trek. Now it goes without saying that this film is no where near the excellence that is Wrath of Khan; nevertheless, it is just as fun and somewhat dramatically interesting.

Now I wont go into the plot, it involves time travel and a clever alternative reality spin on old trek mythology but no worries the plot is actually really easy to follow, considering the concepts involved. Basically, it is a run of the mill plot, you know the basics: bad guy tries to get revenge and attempts to destroy Earth; good guys have to go against all odds to prove themselves and save the day. Although, the plot is generic, that's not what makes this film good, instead what makes it so good is that it is an exhilarating theater going experience. There is a list of plot holes and small flaws that plague the film, but it is all easy to ignore because of the level of artistry that goes into creating great characters (aside from Nero, who was a really underwritten 2 dimensional villain) and a firm ground for more stories to come.

Although, I do have to throw this in there, I don't know what Abrams was thinking in terms of some casting choices, ie: Tyler Perry and Winona Ryder. They were really distracting in the scenes they were in. However, everyone else did an exceptional job at their roles. Abrams has given the Enterprise new blood in it's voyage to boldly go where only some film franchises have gone before.

Post 1

Boredom is a strange thing. It pushes people to master the art of time killing. This forum is a firm foundation for passing time and discussing culture. Nothing more and nothing less. It is mostly a space to talk about films, literature, music, art and everyday mundane observations. Therefore, this is the first of many posts designed to kill some time in a somewhat proficient way.