TERMINATOR SALVATION

Terminator Salvation doesn’t sit quietly on the sidelines, it explodes across the screen in an almost relentless assault. Set in 2018 Los Angeles, Terminator Salvation walks you through the nightmare future that was foretold in all the previous chapters.

Intentionally washed out, the charred wasteland of post-Judgment Day Los Angeles hides cells of the human resistance. At this point in time, John Connor (Christian Bale), is a low-ranking officer in the resistance, intent on undermining Skynet’s power, and eventually assumes command of human forces after tangling with a succession of killer bots.

Among the human resistance, Kyle Reese (Anton Yelchin), is hiding out and joins forces with tough guy Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington), who mysteriously emerges from nowhere after surviving a death-row execution in 2003. Together with a mute child Star (Jadagrace Berry), they hit the road to do battle with hordes of desert-dwelling Terminators. In a twist of the somewhat confusing storyline, Skynet has set its sights on Reese as their primary target, in an attempt to wipe out John Connor.

Bale is believable as the intense foot soldier. Worthington manages to create empathy for his Man With No Memory, who actually gets more screen time than Connor. Yelchin (Star Trek) sells his smart and spunky take on Reece. It’s been a good year for Yelchin.

All in all, Terminator Salvation helps to validate the franchise after the last installment.