Rating: 2.5 Pulses

Rated PG-13

No Arnold and no James Cameron. Can Terminator continue on as a relevant franchise under the reigns of new blood? Terminator Salvation begins with Marcus Wright (Worthington) on death row, and approached by a scientist who offers him the chance of a second life.

Jump to 2018, a post-apocalyptic and war-torn future where “judgment day” has befallen humanity and the surviving humans are part of a resistance against the machines controlled by Skynet. John (Bale) is fulfilling his destiny as a leader in the Resistance Movement, but his views of the war change when he meets Wright and confronts a part of the future his mother never warned him about.

The setting of the film is one that Terminator fans have clamored for since James Cameron’s original 1984 and 1991 films: the future war against machines. Aesthetically speaking, the film succeeds in its dark, gritty aspect of the future. From the first frame, you sense humans are no longer the dominant force on the planet. Unfortunately, aesthetics aren’t quite enough. The story struggles to ever find a clear purpose until the film’s final 20 minutes. The blame can be attributed to the writing as much as director McG (Charlie’s Angels films, We Are Marshall), as the heart and humanity of the first two films in the franchise are sorely lacking?they have been substituted with more explosions. For a summer film, I suppose this technique works. As a continuation of the Terminator story, it’s a blemish and a missed opportunity to properly explore the mythos of this war.

Those expecting to see Bale deliver another head-turning blockbuster performance are in for a bit of disappointment; the crew gave minimal substance to John Connor’s character, but Bale does as much as he can with what he has. My only complaint with his performance is that he falls into the brooding, gravelly voice of Batman.

The standout performance of the movie is Worthington as the film’s “Rip Van Winkle.” This character introduces a new thread into the storyline, but it is one that is not as fleshed-out as it could be.

To give the film some props, the action sequences are well-directed and the addition of several new Terminator models (especially the Mototerminators) make exciting and kinetic set pieces.

In the end, the film’s visual achievements cannot outshine its shortcomings. If you’re looking for a quick action fix and don’t mind it set in a bleak future, Terminator Salvation is probably worth checking out. For those hoping against hope that McG could send the franchise to the splendor promised (and often given) by James Cameron’s two originals, you’re better off passing on this one.