Terminator: Salvation

Salvation of a historic series?

This won’t be too in depth, or too dramatic of a post…for I don’t have much depth or dramaticness. Yes, that word is on purpose.

As with many people my age (a large and ominous 20), the first ‘Terminator’ movie I saw was not the first one, but the second one, ‘Judgment Day’. And being but a small child at the time of viewing, I precisely remember my first true impression of the movie: when both the Terminator and the T1000 arrive in the “present-day” of 'Judgment Day', circa 1994, coming from the future of 2029. They both arrive in giant orbs of electricity…stark naked. I was more than shocked, I was really shocked.

Now that I’m more mature, albeit only slightly, I can truly appreciate the first two ‘Terminator’ movies for what they are…sheer brilliance. The third movie is left out of this “sheer brilliance” category for obvious reasons if you have seen it…the film just doesn’t come near the expansive story telling and pure righteousness of the first two. But let’s face it, the ‘Terminator’ series has hugely influenced the action/science fiction genre. After the mediocrity that was ‘Rise of the Machines’, can the series revive itself?

Yes, and the series will catapult once more to the forefront of moviegoer’s popularity. Why, Saxman, however do you come up with these outlandish statements? Well, of course I kid myself, as most avid moviegoers already know of ‘Salvation’ (especially after the teaser trailer from ‘The Dark Knight’) and the main reason it will be supreme-awesome-mindblowing-tubular-genius: Christian Bale.

Christian Bale as John Connor! Do I even have to say/type anything? I mean, really? He’s exactly the badass, manly man needed to portray the tough and hardened John Connor in the future. A quick glimpse at some of Bale’s roles to prove the point: most obviously his newly acquired role of Batman, Cleric John Preston in 'Equilibrium' (if you have not seen this movie, shame on you, you go now!), and his role in the '3:10 to Yuma' remake. Awesomeness in human form. But we all know about Christian Bale. What of the others in the upcoming movie?

Director of ‘Salvation’ McG doesn’t have the type of resume I’d vie for in making the next Terminator. His notables on “Director” list include the 'Charlie’s Angels' movies and 'We Are Marshall'…and that’s it. When it comes to being Producer, it’s all about the television shows, such as 'The O.C.' and 'Supernatural.' This having been said, I think he’ll do great things, because the man has a vision for the movie. He’s been quoted saying that his film will “…begin again very much in the spirit of what Nolan did with Batman.” So basically, taking the franchise and rebuffing it for today’s world. And with a great cast working under him, he’s going to change the way we view ‘Terminator’.

Bryce Dallas Howard (think main chick in The Village and Lady in the Water, and Gwen Stacy in Spider-Man 3) will play Kate Connor, John’s wife. She’s the daughter of the famous Ron Howard, nuff said, eh? Well she’s a damn brilliant actress, I would say. Her performances in the M. Night movies are stellar…cosmic is a better word. Oh yeah, and she’s gorgeous. I’m down with that.

But wait! Who oh who is the new Terminator? Sam Worthington, that’s who! An award winning and very famous Aussie actor, Sam has also been chosen by the great James Cameron to be the lead in his new movie 'Avatar,' which has nothing to do with the great Nickelodeon show. Yes, I watch Nickelodeon, get over it.

Others in the cast include Common, the rapper, Helen Bonham Carter, who’s basically amazingly amazing, Moon Bloodgood, and Anton Yelchin (who’s playing Pavel Chekov in the upcoming JJ Abrams Star Trek).

So…basically…all in all…this movie is taking the Terminator franchise in a new direction, with a new hero. That’s just plain exciting. Plain exciting? That’s an oxymoron. And I like it.