Salivating Over TERMINATOR: SALVATION Trailer!

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Posted by Ray DeRousse. Last modified on July 16th, 2008 at 07:53pm

Salivating Over TERMINATOR: SALVATION Trailer!

Despite the lapses in time/space science, I have always enjoyed the TERMINATOR series. To this point, it’s been a muscular, man-style series, full of spectacular action set pieces, lioness-like heroines, and cynical brutality.

The first in the series, 1984’s THE TERMINATOR, introduced the world to director JAMES CAMERON’S high-octane, lushly-photographed directorial style. It also propelled star ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER into the stratosphere with this, his first iconic performance as the killer robot from the future. Sadly, the film doesn’t hold up as well as the others in the series, thanks to a decidely eighties look and sound, and also featuring some horrible stop-motion compositing that nearly ruins the brilliant designs of STAN WINSTON. Still, the catchphrases work, and the MICHAEL BIEHN/LINDA HAMILTON chemistry is perfect. And there are loads of “whoa” action moments.

Cameron returned to the series in 1991’s TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY, inarguably the best in the series. Although the film has dated a bit, one is left to marvel at the astounding stunts and action sequences on display throughout. Even better is Hamilton, who bulked up in her return as the tough heroine, while Cameron shades the characters with depth and resonance. Arnold’s Terminator is a hero this time around, and his character’s “arc” is handled perfectly. But the greatest legacy of the film are the startling CGI effects, most of which still stand up to today’s standards (is it my imagination, or do the CGI effects in TERMINATOR 2 and JURASSIC PARK seem more believable than the stuff we see today??).

By 2003, Cameron was deep in the ocean when TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES came to theaters. In place of Hamilton, we had CLAIRE DAINES whine and scream her way through the film, while NICK STAHL stared vacantly. The new terminator, a lethal female robot known as the TX, was no replacement for Arnold in the first film or ROBERT PATRICK in the second, but KRISTANNA LOKEN does an okay job with the silly part. More impressive is a 50 year old Arnold returning to this high-action role as another good Terminator. And I still say that this film has one of the better car chases on record.

Gotta love real stunts!!!

Anyway, the new film TERMINATOR: SALVATION brings golden boy CHRISTIAN BALE to the role of John Connor next year. Here is the teaser trailer, presumably to show in front of THE DARK KNIGHT this weekend:

A few thoughts …

First of all, why does Bale growl every line he has ever uttered on film? Does this guy not have any inflection in his voice? Does he have any emotion whatsoever? Is he, in fact, human??

I love the editing of this trailer. It’s mechanical, disruptive, and broken … and then it slowly morphs into the classic Terminator theme music. BRILLIANT!

There is little to say about the imagery, considering that it is quickly shown and not of any particular substance. The world looks appropriately scarred and battered, and the film seems to have a decent tone thus far. While concerns linger that the filmmakers will continue to screw up the timeline of this franchise, this is a pretty good first look at an eagerly-awaited film.

Categories: Movie News, Terminator-4, Trailers, terminator salvation, trailer

25 Comments »

“First of all, why does Bale growl every line he has ever uttered on film? Does this guy not have any inflection in his voice? Does he have any emotion whatsoever? Is he, in fact, human??”

WTF??

Comment by Pedro Alves | July 16, 2008

@ Pedro - Find me an example of Bale’s voice rising or falling beyond his usual whisper/hiss rasp.

Comment by Ray | July 16, 2008

Ray, watch American Pscyho, his voice goes all over, from whisper to maniacal laughter, to outright screaming as he runs through the hallways naked with a chainsaw.

Comment by Despacio | July 16, 2008

@ Despachio - Excellent choice. Of course, AMERICAN PSYCHO came out eight years ago. Ever since, his voice has not risen above a low mumble. Perhaps he should try a light comedy to enliven his performances.

Don’t get me wrong … I love the guy. But that raspy tough guy crap is starting to get a little old.

Comment by Ray | July 16, 2008

I’m afraid you’re right. He’s a bit one-dimensional these days. I put it down to selling out to mainstream films aimed at boys, unlike the quirky American Pyscho (still his finest hour.)

Comment by Paul | July 16, 2008

It’s Christian Bale in the desert. With a robot.

– But it’s got the theme music!

BRILLIANT!

Comment by SteveGrassel | July 16, 2008

Ray, I’ll find you several: 3:10 to Yuma; The New World; Howl’s Moving Castle; Laurel Canyon; Empire of the Sun. You said “why does Bale growl every line he has EVER uttered on film?”, so yesterday or 20 years ago is fair game…

Comment by Pedro Alves | July 16, 2008

@ Pedro - 3:10 TO YUMA????? NEW WORLD???? He doesn’t get above a whisper in either film LOL.

Comment by Ray | July 16, 2008

Ray, That’s not true… but I notice that you didn’t disagree with Howl’s Moving Castle, Laurel Canyon and Empire of the Sun. Together with American Psycho, that’s four movies that contradict your theory. The problem with words like “ever” or “never” is that they are absolute and it only takes one observation to the contrary to expose one to ridicule…

Comment by Pedro Alves | July 16, 2008

Video is no longer available. That was quick.

Comment by Hellen | July 16, 2008

Pedro. Ever heard of hyberbole…?

Comment by Paul | July 17, 2008

While OWF was busy “salivating” the HD version was posted officially at Yahoo:

http://movies.yahoo.com/premieres/8841507/standardformat/

“This isn’t the future my mother warned me about.” I’ll say. Terminator - James Cameron = Terminator in Name Only.

Comment by SteveGrassel | July 17, 2008

Ray still brings up a good point. Maybe Bale should take a rest in order to avoid overexposure. It happens to even the best of them. Why not take 15 years off and come back with Nolan to make The dark Knight Returns? :)

Comment by Despacio | July 17, 2008

Because in 15 years there won’t be fat Warners checks for Bale to collect, Despacio.

Comment by SteveGrassel | July 17, 2008

Well, a guy can dream.

Comment by Despacio | July 17, 2008

It’s not overexposure I fear with this guy, because he is a fine actor able to handle a wide variety of roles. However, it seems like he continues to choose very similar roles, ones in which his character is quite morose/angry/embittered, leaving him very little to do other than look pissed off and grumble.

Obviously, Bale is making some creative choices in his performances as well, so some of that falls on his head. But I think the roles he has chosen over the last several years - including Batman - tend to be very similar in tone and substance … which seems to cause Bale to resort to a similar performance in each role.

Comment by Ray | July 17, 2008

I was actually surprised with his performance in Rescue Dawn, have you seen that one? His character (based off a real man, although I don’t know if Bale went with impersonation or his own interpretation) was real lively and optimistic even in the most dire of situations. In fact, I can’t recall a single growl, though it has been a while since I’ve seen it. That performance certainly went against the Batman and Dan’s (3:10 to Yuma) he’s been portraying lately.

Comment by Despacio | July 17, 2008

@ Despacio - I haven’t seen RESCUE DAWN, but it sounds like sweet relief LOL. I really don’t mean to be down on Bale, because he is a very good actor. I would just like to see some range.

On that point, I have seen a few moments from TDK, and that damn Batman growl of his is already on my nerves. Hopefully it doesn’t color my take on the film.

Comment by Ray | July 17, 2008

I haven’t seen enough of Bale’s entire movies to comment on whether or not he’s overusing the angry rasping voice thing or not. But I know his Batman in BEGINS was a mothereffing badass largely because of that voice. The bit where he’s interrogating the corrupt cop upside down is the scene where I realized that Batman had traded in his nipples to get his balls back and for that I say “Thank you, raspy-voiced Christian Bale. Please continue to play this part until I’m in the grave someday.”

That having been said, no one wants to see an actor repeat himself. This teaser shows some promise, and for me to say that about a frigging McG film is rather painful. I may actually have faith in how this turns out.

I’ve heard your delightful voice on your Sketchcasts*, Ray, so I know you’re not jealous - give the Bale a break! He’s doing his thing! Let him ride the wave of action-y fanboy popularity a while longer!

And sorry pal, but despite the compositing and/or rear projection shortcomings, the first TERMINATOR is the best. There’s lots to love in T2, but it has the disadvantage of not being as original as the first. Cameron shot that bastard for about $26, which earns a lot of long-term respect on my part.

*wha happen to the Sketchcasts, Ray? A brief hot flare of brilliance and then…nothing?

Comment by Burbanked | July 17, 2008

What about John Singleton’s Shaft?

Comment by Lencho | July 17, 2008

I guess you could use this…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGCdoHkK-Ms

Comment by Lencho | July 17, 2008

Right. Like he wasn’t going to take this role when they offered it to him? Hello? Name ONE actor who wouldn’t have gobbled up the chance to be play the lead in this film. Truth is, you’ll all see it anyway, and rave about it. And when you’re getting geared up to complain about Bale’s lack of vocal inflection remember, they could have cast LaBeouf or Kosner or even worse, Brad Pitt. Enough complaining already.

Comment by Chris T. | July 17, 2008

[...] estréia prevista para maio de 2009 (EUA), Terminator Salvation é o quarto capítulo da franquia apocalíptica da família Connor. Sem Arnold Schwarzenegger ou James Cameron, a série tem agora [...]

Pingback by Terminator Salvation Teaser Trailer « Mosca Pop | July 17, 2008

T4 should be decent at least as Christian Bale tends to do a great job no matter what role he takes… I’m hoping Arnold ends up making an appearance too

Comment by yay movies | July 31, 2008

Though I agree that Bale’s growl in batman was a little much. I think that he is perfect for the part. If you doubt his voice range, check out rescue dawn which is another good film with him. I think the voice works for what we saw though…

Comment by steve | September 20, 2008