The initial Terminator movies stand as some of the greatest science fiction action films ever made. However, the third film suffered because it felt repetitive; you can only recycle a plot so many times before it loses its appeal. This likely influenced the filmmakers’ choice to set the fourth installment (2009) in a post-apocalyptic future where Skynet's machines are at war with the remaining humans, who call themselves The Resistance. Several familiar faces from previous films appear: an older John Connor (Christian Bale), his father Kyle Reese (Anton Yelchin), portrayed as a teenager due to time travel complexities, and the T-800 Terminator (with a CGI face, naturally). New characters are introduced too, with Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington) being among the most compelling, followed by Blair Williams (Moon Bloodgood). Also present are Connor’s partner, Kate (Bryce Dallas Howard), a girl who doesn't speak named Star, and Helena Bonham Carter in a smaller role. The film is technically well-made on every level. The core issue lies in the lack of character development and any moments of quiet reflection. What results is a series of impressive post-apocalyptic action sequences strung together with characters who are constantly grimacing, shouting, and fighting—but we don’t really know them, so it's hard to connect emotionally. It feels like an extreme metal album full of intense drumming, harsh guitar riffs, and screaming vocals from start to finish; there's no contrast to balance the high-energy moments, leading to a monotonous and dull feeling. The very intensity meant to excite ultimately backfires due to its excessiveness—a classic case of "overKILL." Despite this, “Terminator Salvation” has enough positives to warrant watching for those who’ve seen the first two films. Marcus Wright is an interesting character who initially believes he's incapable of goodness until someone tells him otherwise. There's a worthwhile scene about 45 minutes in, featuring two characters sharing a brief moment of warmth around a campfire in a devastated world; more scenes like this would have greatly improved the film. A significant reveal occurs later on concerning one of the main characters, and Bryce Dallas Howard possesses a striking beauty (she is visibly pregnant throughout). The movie also touches upon thought-provoking ideas about what it means to be human versus machine, or both. If you’re looking for action, this delivers—motorcycle robots, fish robots, giant robots, flying robots, and Schwarzenegger robots are all trying to terminate the protagonists. Given its post-apocalyptic setting, it shares similarities with films like “Beneath the Planet of the Apes” (1970), “Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome” (1985), and especially “Reign of Fire” (2002), though it prioritizes constant thrills. The first two movies immediately grabbed viewers’ attention, building suspense to a dramatic peak. Even the third installment achieved this, albeit with a familiar plot (released in 2003); still, it was an acceptable entry. "Terminator Salvation," however, only manages to captivate to a limited degree, favoring constant action over more substantial elements. That’s unfortunate, but there are some good parts; thankfully, it isn't as disappointing as “The Mummy Returns” (2001) in this regard. It might also be better enjoyed on repeat viewings considering the complicated storyline. The theatrical version runs 115 minutes and the director’s cut is 118 minutes long. Filming took place in New Mexico. Here's my assessment of each Terminator film (I haven't seen the sixth one yet): T1: A+ T2: A+ T3: B+ T4: B- T5: C+

Source on TMDB