Terminator Salvation

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Terminator Salvation

PG-13

2009

1h 56m

Sci-Fi

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

33%

Tomatometer

278 Reviews

53%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Although Judgment Day has in fact occurred, the future for which John Connor (Christian Bale) was prepared has been partly altered by the appearance of a stranger named Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington). Connor must determine if Wright has been rescued from the past, or sent from the future. As the machines prepare for a final battle, Connor and Wright delve deep into Skynet's heart, uncovering a secret that could lead to the annihilation of mankind.

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Critics Consensus

With storytelling as robotic as the film's iconic villains, Terminator Salvation offers plenty of great effects but lacks the heart of the original films.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

09/12/2017

B

It was good, but not great.

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Joshua Rothkopf

Time Out

11/17/2011

2/5

Missing is Cameron's signature action modification, best exploited in Aliens: the strapping female heroine. McG's testosterone-juiced world feels a little doomed without her.

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Laremy Legel

Film.com

05/06/2011

D+

It brings me very little joy to report that this version of the popular Terminator franchise is silly, obtuse, and pointless.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

09/19/2023

1.5/4

This rather cold exercise contains a synthesized quality and feels like it was executed by an artificial intelligence.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

08/25/2022

4/5

I liked “Terminator Salvation” and while it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, I think it has a place in the series.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

11/29/2020

6/10

No tricky time travel finds its way into the plot - and, perhaps, such complexities are exactly the ideas that are missing.

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Mike

10/08/2021

loved whole experience

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freddie T

@Splatface101 4d

OH HEELLL YEAAHH this movie's great even though it didn't have Arnie in it.

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diogo13 T

@Tua_mera Jul 12

A weak sci-fi film that squanders its future-war setting with a muddled plot, uncharismatic performances, and a very dull, gray aesthetic.

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IBMd N

@Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Jul 4

Just a complete, steaming pile of badly acted, written and just plain awful steaming shit. If you wanna make a terminator movie, put Arnold in it next time.

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Chris S

@Janomi Jul 4

Terminator Salvation deserves credit for finally taking the franchise into the Future War instead of revisiting the same time-travel formula. The post-apocalyptic setting, impressive machine designs, and large-scale battles create a world fans had wanted to see for years. Christian Bale brings intensity as John Connor, while Sam Worthington's Marcus Wright becomes the film's emotional center. The biggest issue is that the screenplay never fully commits to either protagonist, leaving both character arcs feeling underdeveloped. After such a promising setup, the climax also settles into a fairly conventional action finale instead of taking fuller advantage of the fascinating world it created. Even so, the production design, visual effects, and fresh setting make it one of the more interesting post-T2 sequels.

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Jaycen D.

@JDtheGoat May 23

Some standout good moments, but mostly very forgettable. No Arnold, no good…

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McG

Director

Christian Bale

John Connor

Sam Worthington

Marcus Wright

Moon Bloodgood

Blair Williams

Helena Bonham Carter

Dr. Serena Kogen

Anton Yelchin

Kyle Reese

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Synopsis

Although Judgment Day has in fact occurred, the future for which John Connor (Christian Bale) was prepared has been partly altered by the appearance of a stranger named Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington). Connor must determine if Wright has been rescued from the past, or sent from the future. As the machines prepare for a final battle, Connor and Wright delve deep into Skynet's heart, uncovering a secret that could lead to the annihilation of mankind.

Director: McG
Producer: Moritz Borman, Derek Anderson, Victor Kubicek, Jeffrey Silver
Screenwriter: John D. Brancato, Michael Ferris
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Moritz Borman
Rating: PG-13 (Intense Sci-Fi Violence|Intense Sci-Fi Action|Language)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 21, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 22, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $125.3M
Runtime: 1h 56m