Iffy for 13+
First PG-13 Terminator is loud, explosive, and dark.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that although this installment of the Terminator series is the first to earn a PG-13 rating instead of an R, it's still extremely violent. There's not much actual blood, but there's plenty of broken flesh, bruises, and batterings. The film's tone is also quite intense, with constant attacks, life-or-death struggles, and scenes in which giant robots attack and abduct humans. While much of the violence is directed against robots, some of those robots are remarkably human-looking, which makes the gore and grim action a bit tougher to take than you might think. Characters also touch on heavy topics like morality, ethics, and redemption. There's a little bit of kissing, but hardly anything to worry about in the way of strong language, drinking, or smoking.
- Families can talk about what's makes this movie different from the other Terminator films -- why do you think this one is rated PG-13 when the others were R?
- What's the impact of seeing violent images like the ones here?
- Can human nature be replicated by a machine -- and, if so,would that machine be human?
The good stuff
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Messages: Despite the constant violence, the movie's ultimate messages about the possibility of redemption and of sacrifice in the name of a greater good come through. The essential ethical nature of human behavior is discussed: "We aren't machines, and if we act like them, what's the point of winning?"
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Role models: Marcus -- a one-time criminal -- repeatedly puts himself at risk for others, particularly Kyle, and ultimately makes a very noble choice. John is relentless in his goal of eliminating the machines and sometimes lets that get in the way of compassion; but he, too, is a hero in the end. Some of the other resistance leaders are inflexible and short-sighted.
What to watch for
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Violence: Extensive violence, much of it involving battles (hand-to-hand and with firearms) between super-strong robots and humans. There are also explosions (including a character getting blown up by a mine), crashes, shootings, stabbings, and assault with blunt objects; mutilated, wounded, and dead bodies are seen -- though there's not that much blood overall. Robots are burned with molten metal; the red-hot robots covered in jagged metal then attack humans. Gruesome medical/experimental imagery.
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Sex: Some kissing. A man and a woman snuggle up to share warmth.
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Language: Mostly includes words like "hell" and "damn," but there are also a couple of uses of "s--t" and one of "f--k," plus "son of a bitch," "ass," and "God."
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Consumerism: It's good to know that Jeep and 7-Eleven make it through the apocalypse. ...
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue
Fan Reviews provided by
4
Good? Yes. $9.50 Good? Probably not. by Kyle_Adkins
I was really hyped to see the film myself, being a avid fan of Terminator series. But I must confess, I honestly wasn't too happy with the choice of John Connor in this series, considering how much of a D-Bag I feel Christian Bale to be (I mean, come on.. "Don't trash my scene"? What are you, 9?). However, his acting was fairly good I must admit for this role.
Were I was really nit-picky honestly was the cookie-cutter suspense. Everything had a certain level of predictability about it. We honestly knew the "Twist ending" of the film, which I will not ruin for readers of this review, before it happened. Also, the explosions were unnecessarily loud, and almost ruptured my girlfriend and my own eardrums in the theater. Crank it down to a dull roar please.
Aside all this, the movie was fairly enjoyable. Try to catch the matinee if possible. I think you'll be much more satisfied if you do.
1
Where's Batman when you need him? by Cal Varnson
The whole time I was watching the movie, I was wishing Christian Bale would don the bat suit and rescue us from this predictable yawner. Yes, I was literally yawning during this film. This movie has every cliche imaginable for an action film. A self loathing tough guy leading man that survives all peril, a hot babe that likes to shoot automatic weapons, laughable use of a previous catch phrase ("I'll be back"...c'mon give us a break!), stealing scenes from classic action films (mute kid, high speed chase on a car strewn desolate highway, blowing up fuel tankers while petrol is at a premium...was this "Terminator" or "Road Warrior"?), etc.
I kept thinking of how Bale went off on a crew member while filming this crud seeing as he's such a dedicated and professional actor. Huh? Maybe he was angry that he signed up for the picture (and apparently a string of additional sequels...Lord help us).
It's time to exterminate.
5
Great Movie by esgill
Terminator Salvation is a great movie that captures the essence of post-apocalyptic Earth.. The movie stays very true to the Terminator "mythology" with many used faces to welcome us in. A new character introduced --Marcus Wright-- not John Connor, is the hero of the movie. John Connor, while important to the plot line and chronology, plays only a obligatory role in this latest installment. Wright offers a new insight to the "human condition" with his unique circumstances, and allows John Connor to become who he needs to... the savior of mankind. Thus explaining the ending of the movie. Keep that in mind with regards to the ending of Salvation, before casting it as cliche.
Any Terminator fan, die hard or so-so, should enjoy this movie tremendously, IMO. For the die hard's there is the obvious plot structure and chronology that sets up the previous 3 Terminator chronologies. And for the so-so's there is the action packed and well thought out plot line to draw you in.
1
DONT BE FOOLED by joetv
I have been a huge fan of the Terminator story for 25 years. I love the first 2 films alot and the 3rd one is even ok with me. Terminator Salvation is a huge slap in the face to all the terminator fans everywhere. You've probally read other reviews telling you about the bad acting, bad dialogue and lack of story. Well, there is more bad news. Everything that makes Terminator a good story is missing in this. The makers of this film put some big name actors, pretty good action, and some familar one-liners together and are calling it a Terminator story. They hope that we the fans will fall for the CGI and explosions and ignore that this movie has no continuity,urgency,desperation,or investment in character development. Hollywood has taken a crap script,stamped Terminator on it in hopes that the vast majority of Terminator fans will be fooled out of millions of dollars. Terminator fans deserve more respect than this. You have been warned!
3
No longer a "thinking man's sci-fi" by turnstile13
I'll try to be fair- This movie DOES deliver a steroidal action-packed whallup. So if you are wanting and expecting an all bronze action flick, then you will probably think this is the best of the year. However, if you (like me) are a big fan of the Terminator franchise because of the S-T-O-R-Y (the four letter word of Hollywood) tied to all that Cyberdyne-anim fun, then prepare yourself for a death. With the superior Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles yanked from the tv airwaves, Terminator Salvation was humankind's last hope. Alas, the director targeted the brains behind the metal with cyborg fashion and coldly pulled the trigger. Story status: Terminated.
3
A Fistful of Explosions... by spacemonkey17
Terminator Salvation is the kind of movie that makes you leave the theater feeling like a slathering idiot... Though semi-entertaining, the film lacks the substance of the previous Terminator films, but has enough action and special effects to keep your eyes glued, even though your mind will wander. After an hour of non-stop action and the major "plot-twist" (already ruined by every trailer... ), my brain shut off and I found myself becoming bored, luckily Christian Bale's shouting and all the explosions were able to keep me awake. Other than a cool car chase and set-up for future sequels, this film seemed ultimately pointless. Hopefully, when parts two and three release, they add the elements that made the first two Terminator films so memorable.
5
This Movie Doesn't STOP! by JBerven
I just finished watching this movie. Even with all the hype it blew me away! I can not believe that they were able to bring this movie out of the dark shadow of T3! This film was a war style film with some of the best non-stop seat of your pants action. I can honestly say that I have never seen a film that I can really compare it with. I also heard rumors that if this film does well then they are making another three movies! I can't wait for the blue ray box set to come out!
3
Speed bump in the series. by sandro5
I dont know why they did not bother to put a story or anything remotely intricate to the Terminator universe in this movie other than that it was a few years before Kyle Reese was sent back in the first film. It is obvious that they will be churning out a new franchise with mister big budget, big gross Christian Bale, but the fact that this movie is missing a plot that could have written itself is no excuse. The next two films better be more surprising than the 6th sense, like maybe inthe tv series they get the select terminators to "join them" , how about that being a glitch that was created by Jon Conner as he is actually a machine and was programmed by a hacker resistance guy because conner was killed.....? huh? huh? I like it. now thats a twist. Oh hell I just ruined the next or last film plot.
4
Good but not great. by escherfied
The opening of Terminator salvation blew me away. The helicopter landing on a terminator, and the huge explosion was amazing. However, the rest of the movie is less exciting. I feel that a terminator should not have a PG-13 rating. The story was choppy, and condensed.Overall the movie was entertaining. The special effects are top notch, and when there is action it is full force. I would recommend seeing this movie.
5
A Worthy Addition to the Terminator Franchise by Indiana_Johnston
I wonder if the Critics have something against the Terminator franchise when it doesn't include the Governator. I personally thought this movie was AWESOME and in fact saw it TWICE! IFirst "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" is canceled and then the critics give a movie, that is an addition to a popular APOCALYPTIC franchise where machines take over the world and enslave humanity, bad reviews because its TOO serious and doesn't have enough toungue and cheek humor? What's next, comedies get GREAT reviews because they are full of crass, crude, racial, and tactless humor? Oh wait a minute, that already happens. Can anyone say
"TROPIC THUNDER" & "SUPER BAD"? I think the general public should take what the critics say with a grain of salt and make up their own minds on whether a movie is good or not. For Example, THIS movie has a 38% favorable reviews amongst "top critics" and over 70% with fan reviews - that's a pretty big margin DON'T YA THINK?