To say that “Terminator Salvation” is dark can’t be too understated. The entire movie is filmed in grey scale, there is only about a total of 15 minutes where something–or someone–is not exploding or being shot at, and then, there’s the fact that it stars Christian Bale who has become the King of Darkness when it comes to onscreen saviors and heroes.
I suppose if you like that sort of thing, then “Terminator Salvation” is for you.
However, if you’re anything like me, and you like a little plot with your movie–a plot other than let’s blow up all-things Skynet and talk about it in low, pained voices–and even if you like Christian Bale, as I do, then “Terminator Salvation” is a waste of two hours not to mention potentially damaging to your ear drums.
The only real commentary to be made about this latest Terminator incarnation, is how disappointing Christian Bale is as the hero–oh wait, excuse me, the savior, since the very first thing you see on screen is Bale’s first name split into two, emphasis on the “Christ.” Not so subtle. Basically Bale reprises his Batman role but for the purposes of a different movie. He sounds exactly the same, his facial expressions are equally angsty, yet I loved him in Batman! I really hated the fact that he imported his Batman qualities to another franchise. Shame on you CHRISTian!

The last thing I’ll say is that since this movie has nothing else going for it other than, again, loud explosions if you like that sort of thing, and a retreading of the Terminator plot for the gazillionth time, there is little “salvation” to be found in this installment and a whole lot of apocalypse. There is a little triumph (I suppose you could call it that) at the end, but “Terminator Salvation” seems more of a vehicle for a new Terminator franchise and future films than anything else.
And I can tell you this much: I won’t be back.