Is it a spoiler to say that Terminator Salvation has a lot of heart?

Current mood: bummed

My cynical self had probably left some tweets discussing my paranoia about how poor the new Terminator could be:

• Can we have a Terminator movie without the asshole shrink from 1-3 & T2-3D?
• Terminator, Connor saying 'fate lies in the spirit, not the machines' that's a claim that the machines don't have souls.
• Salvation is negating the THUMB UP in T2. Maybe that's what the Bale Blow Up was all about. Why can't British actors turn down scripts

I find myself to be spot on with my British actor comment since the film also features Helena Bonham Carter. Also from my tweets, I indicated that I had difficulty resisting going out to see this film.

• Terminator Salvation, I think I just want to check it out because of the use of NIN in the preview. Kinda covers up the subpar feel.
• I guess I'm open to entertain anything if NIN is the soundtrack. The cash lost on subpar dancers who play "The Only Time/Ringfinger" set

To find out that the Nine Inch Nails led me to an Oingo Boingo based score, an HBC flick where she wasn't aped up, and most importantly a Michael Ironside vehicle (Corey Haim is to blame for the crappyness of "The Watchers" and "Highlander 2" was part of the Connery slide to the oblivion of "The League of Extraordinay Gentleman"), it is fair to say I was pumped to see if the credits's promise of a picture with heart was true.

As long as you do not mind a poor Christian Bale performance (and based on the success of "The Dark Knight", most of you do not), "Terminator Salvation" is worth an afternoon or late show (I cannot advocate paying full price). The new world presented and recognition of what the fans of the original trilogy want to see are delivered with excellence that one will forgive the few weak characters, disappointing ending, and "The Rise of the Machines".

To make sure the film (and the two proposed sequels) are totally based in a world of its own, the film's main character is not the stretching to show emotion incarnation of John Connor (portrayed by "I should only be cast if you want a Patrick Bateman" Christian Bale), but the triple murderer on 2003's death row, Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington of Australia's "Lake Placid" better known as "Rogue"). Before Wright is executed, he is convinced by a Cyberdine representative (Helena Bonham Carter) to donate his body to science. He then awakens 15 years later in a scene that is reminiscent of the jail break in "Raising Arizona", and heads to the remnants of Los Angeles.

In LA, Wright comes to the aid of teenager Kyle Reese (Anton Yelchin) and his mute partner who claim to be the remnants of the LA branch of John Connor's resistance. The three leave together only to be tracked down by numerous machines whose goal is to capture Reese who is the father of Connor. The two kids are captured despite Wright's best efforts, but with the assistance of pilot Blair Williams (Moon Bloodgood of "Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li") he should be able to inform the resistance of SkyNet's plans. Whether or not Connor wants to listen to what he believes is the latest SkyNet infiltration model is the only problem. If he does not, there is a good chance the heads of the resistance will bomb SkyNet regardless of who is being held captive.

As I stated with my remarks and tweet about Christian Bale performance leaving me yearning for Edward Furlong or Nick Stahl.

As a rule, if you are making a sequel to a movie, do not cast Christian Bale. He will not bring his A-game. Otherwise, check out T4.

Sam Worthington gives a compelling performance as the film's lead. It is a character who has to go through a mythological challenges to become a hero despite his reluctance. Added to that, we have a character who has to come to terms with what he is (buy the toys for the spoiler) which is something everyone can relate to. If his performance was poor, we would have a "Pirates of the Carribean" sequel. Fortunately, Worthington leaves us feeling like we are watching what "The Terminator" would have been like if it focused on Reese instead of Sarah Connor.

On to Reese. What a marvelous job of casting. The kid looks like what you'd think a pre-adolescent Michael Biehn would look like. He does what he has to as a heroic child actor. Never reluctant to play tough, but not above showing fear.

The rest of the casting works very well. Dare I say, nice ethnic casting choices with the exotic Bloodgood and the always serious black rapper Common. Carter's coldness gives us a face for the enemy, and Ironside gets to play himself. Sadly, Bale's lackluster performance prevents this film from earning four stars from any critic.

Bales performance and the disappointing ending, but I'm not about to give away spoilers. It is sad that these hold the film back from being as good as The Terminator (if not Judgement Day at the very least) because director McG and writers John D. Brancato and Michael Ferris do their best to pay tribute to what gave them this project. Again, to discuss how would to spoil this flick.

There is so much in this blockbuster that makes it something science fiction fans cannot allow themselves to miss, and the near constant action make Terminator Salvation worth the discounted admission for any movie goer. Like the T-800, it is not perfect, but I'm sure with the addition of Robert Patrick to the next flick, we may be on the verge of the next science fiction Saga (I won't say Trilogy due to the sanctity of Lucas's original works of genius).