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52 [Rec] 2
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90 45365
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43 George A. Romero's Survival of the Dead
71 Get Low
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77 Ghost Writer, The
68 Girl on the Train, The
66 Girl Who Played with Fire, The
xx Gone with the Pope
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69 Good, The Bad, The Weird, The
50 Great Directors
45 Greatest, The
76 Greenberg
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73 Harlan: In the Shadow of Jew Suess
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63 Lbs.
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90 Prophet, A
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73 See What I'm Saying: The Deaf Entertainers Documentary
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55 When You're Strange: A Film About The Doors
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69 Winnebago Man
91 Winter's Bone
68 Women Without Men
xx World on a Wire

Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.

Terminator Salvation

EMAILPRINTWarner Bros. Pictures

Terminator Salvation reviews
52
6.0 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 35 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 329 votes
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Movie Info

Genre(s): Action  |  Adventure  |  Sci-fi  |  Suspense/Thriller

Written by: Gale Anne Hurd (characters)
James Cameron (characters)
David C. Wilson (story), Michael Ferris (& story)
John D. Brancato (& story)

Directed by: McG

Release Date:
Theatrical: May 21, 2009
DVD: December 1, 2009

Running Time: 115 minutes, Color

Origin: USA | Germany | UK

Summary

RATING: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and language

Starring Christian Bale, Anton Yelchin, Sam Worthington, Bryce Dallas Howard, Common, Jadagrace, Moon Bloodgood, and Helena Bonham Carter

Judgment Day has come and gone. The artificial intelligence network Skynet controls the army of Terminators that roam the post-apocalyptic landscape, killing or collecting humans where they hide in the desolate cities and deserts. Only one man saw Judgment Day coming. One man, whose destiny has always been intertwined with the fate of human existence: John Connor. Now the world is on the brink of the future that Connor has been warned about all his life. But something totally new has shaken his belief that humanity stands a chance of winning this war: the appearance of Marcus Wright, a stranger from the past whose last memory is of being on death row before awakening in this strange, new world. (Warner Bros. Pictures)

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

80

New York Daily News Joe Neumaier

A fast-moving, rock 'em-sock 'em movie that continues the man-vs.-machines series begun 25 years ago.

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80

Empire Devin Faraci

McG has sparked a moribund franchise back to life, giving fans the post-apocalyptic action they’ve been craving since they first saw a metal foot crush a human skull two decades ago.

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75

Christian Science Monitor Peter Rainer

A couple of scenes directly reference the Iraq war and the Holocaust (where the humans are herded into cattle cars), and this is taking things much too seriously. This is a big blow-'em-up franchise movie. It should not under any circumstances be confused with a Statement.

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75

Premiere Patrick Parker

Despite some laughably silly plot elements, McG has created an overall entertaining movie experience. It's a great kick-off to the summer explosion season.

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75

ReelViews James Berardinelli

With its idea of an insurgency striking against an implacable evil empire, there's more than a little "Star Wars" in Terminator: Savlation, although not even at its "Empire Strikes Back" bleakest was Lucas' series this dark.

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70

Variety John Anderson

Darker, grimmer and more stylistically single-minded than its two relatively giddy predecessors, Terminator Salvation boasts the kind of singular vision that distinguished the James Cameron original, the full-throttle kinetics of "Speed" and an old-fashioned regard for human (and humanoid) heroics.

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70

Washington Post John Anderson

The result is a movie that takes itself far more seriously than the "Hasta la vista, baby" tone of previous installments.

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70

The New York Times A.O. Scott

It parades neither the egghead aspirations of "Star Trek" nor the thick-skulled pretensions of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," but instead feels both comfortable with its limitations and justly proud of its accomplishments.

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70

NPR Bob Mondello

It all contributes to making the story breathless and nerve-jangling.

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67

The Onion (A.V. Club) Keith Phipps

The way-too-familiar climax feels less like a comment on destiny than like watching a finely crafted but soulless product roll off an assembly line.

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67

Portland Oregonian Marc Mohan

Grim, post-apocalyptic, special-effects extravaganza.

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67

Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

It's basically a zombie movie with machines instead of the walking dead.

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63

New York Post Kyle Smith

Yet what makes this movie is the digital effects. It's got all the heart of a demolition derby.

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63

Philadelphia Inquirer Steven Rea

A dark-and-stormy sci-fi shoot-'em-up directed by McG, T4 has enough hardware and havoc to satisfy the crowd of action junkies and gamers who sped to "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" on opening weekend. (Terminator Salvation is a couple of liquid metal drops' more satisfying, but only a couple.)

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63

Rolling Stone Peter Travers

Bale even cedes the juiciest part to Aussie newcomer Sam Worthington, who is star material as a machine with a conscience. T4 is a mixed bag, but it's not f***ing amateur.

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60

Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

It's a deafening, sometimes boring, occasionally startling and ultimately impressive war movie with a concern for what it is that makes us human.

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60

Los Angeles Times Betsy Sharkey

If you're a "Terminator" fan, though, "Salvation" is mostly worth it. The machines are mindless, yes, but there are enough pyrotechnics and heavy artillery to feel like Armageddon squared. And when the story starts to crumble around Bale, Worthington is there to pick up the pieces.

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50

Miami Herald Rene Rodriguez

The most timid in the series. There's no invention in it, no sense of discovery. Only the impressively orchestrated action sequences feel fresh.

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50

Village Voice Nick Pinkerton

Among the many things junked in McG's chop-shop is the notion of pleasure.

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50

TV Guide Jason Buchanan

With the exception of one breathtaking sequence in a helicopter, the action in Terminator Salvation is astonishingly dull.

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50

Boston Globe Ty Burr

The latest installment in the venerable sci-fi action franchise turns out to be a straight-up war film, grim and muscular and thundering and joyless. It's the color of cement, and it weighs as much, too.

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50

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Liam Lacey

Though competent in its B-movie way, Terminator Salvation lacks the humour, heart-tugging moments and visual pleasure that made the first two movies of the series modern pop masterpieces.

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50

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

Most of the running time is occupied by action sequences, chase sequences, motorcycle sequences, plow-truck sequences, helicopter sequences, fighter-plane sequences, towering android sequences and fistfights. It gives you all the pleasure of a video game without the bother of having to play it.

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50

Baltimore Sun Michael Sragow

This fourth "Terminator" film is the ultimate heavy-metal parody. Better make that travesty, because there are next to no moments of comedy.

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50

The Hollywood Reporter Michael Rechtshaffen

In Arnold's absence, an important ingredient of the "Terminator" iconography -- namely, the fun factor -- is in short supply.

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50

Film Threat Scott Mendelson

It is occasionally a first-rate action spectacle, but it is only the spectacle that merits recommendation.

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50

Charlotte Observer Staff (Not credited)

Granted, it's great action. Terrific special effects. Pulse-pounding pacing. But it's a case of diminishing returns. Salvation so keeps its characters at arm's length that after a while it really doesn't matter what happens to them.

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50

Chicago Reader J.R. Jones

The movie's only unmitigated pleasure is a too-brief fight scene between Connor and a naked combatant made up to look precisely like Arnold Schwarzenegger.

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50

USA Today Claudia Puig

The predictable story feels as if it were written by a computer program labeled "sequel."

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50

Slate Dana Stevens

A good summer movie isn't just an uninterrupted crescendo of cacophony. You need stuff IN BETWEEN the fireballs and the cyborgs.

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40

The New Yorker Anthony Lane

A confused, humorless grind.

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40

New York Magazine David Edelstein

With McG's migraine-inducing jerky-cam and monochromatic palette (livened only by splotches of rust), Terminator Salvation puts the numb in numskull.

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30

Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov

Terrifically dull, full of ear-searing sound design and much yakkity-yakking about the fate of humanity but entirely lacking any sort of soul or sense of good old summer matinee fun.

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30

Salon.com Stephanie Zacharek

Terminator Salvation has no brains and no soul; it's just a mass of stiff, creaking metal joints. Clearly, the machines have won.

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25

San Francisco Chronicle Mick LaSalle

When Christian Bale allowed himself to play Bruce Wayne in "Batman Begins," he was slumming - and to good effect. But with Terminator Salvation, this ostensibly serious actor takes up residence in the action ghetto, and it's not a good fit.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 6.0 (out of 10) based on 329 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

James H. gave it a6:
It has the makings of a worthy entry in the Terminator series, but it only partially succeeds. The special effects are great, it is impressive technically, good sound, cinematography etc. It lacks the the depth and character development though of it’s predecessors. The acting is fine, but the performances lack soul. It’s not a bad film though, just a little disappointing.

brett j gave it a0:
Insulting to any true sci fi fan. So so crap. i.e A terminator grabs john conner and throws him against a wall. WRONG! A terminator would grab john conner and kill him as quickly as possible by ripping his head off. McG needs a bullet. I want this movie erased from time and space. Maybe the next 'sequel' can send a terminator back in time and kill McG to stop this movie been made. Now that would be worth watching.

Evan P gave it a7:
Salvation is underrated. Especially by the fans. I would agree that it lacks the comedic relief provided in the first films which then in turn feels like Salvation is taking itself too seriously. However, I think the story is going in the right direction! We've already seen terminators sent back in time to kill the Connors... 3 times actually. I want to see post rise of the machines. What's the story behind John Connor and sending the T-800? Lots of action and connections to the earlier films. I liked it a lot.

Kyle R gave it a9:
I wasn't expecting to see so many bad thing's said about what i consider one of the better movies of 2009. I really enjoyed this movie acting, effect and plot. The replay value could be better, trying to figure out what the deal was the guy with from the past was interesting. Very nice special effects. I enjoyed this over GI Joe and Star Trek. Obviously a lot of people see this movie as a failure but im very shocked at just how many and the 52 doesn't do this justice IMO.

scott v gave it an8:
Awesome action pretty much from start to finish, a wide variety of machines, and a good story line. I'm surprised this movie did not get much better reviews. I think this was the best terminator films since the original. Several of the action scenes reminded me of the first time that I saw the "Road Warrior" which is a very good thing. Lots of fun and only brief moments without action, most of which are very cool. Many of these reviews are way to critical of the script, are any of the terminator films really all that complicated, deep, or realistic? No they are not, so lighten up and enjoy it like you would an Indiana Jones movie for goodness sake!

Sean F gave it a3:
Bear with me as I may find it difficult to actually express how appalled by this film I was into words - although I guess that already gives you a good idea of my opinion of this film. I'll try to keep this short and list just a few of the reasons for loathing this film. First, this film is part of a trend of films that Hollywood is churning out with much more frequency, that have forgotten that the basic principle of any good film is not how much shit you can blow up but actually having a good story and characterisation. However, I’m not even sure that Hollywood have forgotten this, they just don’t care as long as the audience pay their money, they don’t care whether you enjoy the experience. As is the case with Terminator: Salvation. They blow up A LOT of shit, but quiet frankly I didn’t care. The story is nonsensical and I couldn’t have cared less about the one dimensional characters. Secondly, I couldn’t help but feel I was watching a Transformers movie. The different Terminator machines in the movie just became increasingly ridiculous as the makers obviously thought ’Oooh, it’s been at least 10 minutes since we blew some shit up for no reason’. This culminates in, what was for me the most ridiculous part, where the harvester suddenly releases 2 terminator motorbikes FROM IT’S LEGS. WTF. Finally, Christian Bale cannot act. Although maybe that is being unfair, as the quality of the material Bale has to work with is shocking. John Connor is a terrible creation in McG’s Terminator universe. There is much more - including the frequently poor special effects and the terrible score, but I think I’ve gone on far too long as it is - just like the movie.

john m gave it a1:
T1 was great but the sequels have gotten progressively worse. This was dreadful schlock. The terminators showed more acting skills than Bale and Worthington. This was a movie devoid of any content, plot, sense, suspense or meaning. The ending is a gimmick. The giant terminator was good though.

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