Film Review:- "Terminator Salvation"

THIS film has been well anticipated, but it might have just missed the chance to become as well loved as the original and Terminator 2. Ok, I am discounting Terminator 3. The present film will cause as much debate as the previous 3. Lack of continuity seems a big issue and this. is reflected in our review. Only time will tell if "Salvation" will endure long as the others. In our view, this movie is very odd. We all liked it, but we have come away from it thinking that this rendition has lost the bizarre, and genuinely novel attributes of the series. The new Terminators are a somewhat strange addition; one called a Harvester is more like a Transformer than a Terminator. Also there is something reminiscent of the Matrix and the Squids which crops up later on... This movie has lots going for it, but it leaves you thinking... who knows the difference any more? It could be Transformers.

We all knew that they would have to have older models of the Terminator to make this look pre-Terminator. But after being spoiled by the android metamorphoses; from hard metal to liquid and back, in both the last two films and also on the TV series, 'Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles'; this 'new' old look is some what of a let down. Also Skynet Central reminds me of Robocop's OCP headquarters and also of Judge Dred's city... It has nothing very original about it. Then we have the temporal paradox to consider... The film says things have changed but this is not what Resistance leader, John Connor, expected to happen. "Things have changed" as they say... Sadly, the fourth film does not refer to the TV show in any way. This leaves one puzzled as to the connection. Or should we just disregard the TV show, that has now gained a strong foothold into the Terminator mythology? Yet, despite saying all this, we have to confess that we fully enjoyed the film. The whole can be said to be good even though no one single reason springs to mind. Except possibly the opening section involving a helicopter, which is fantastic. 'The Terminator' design is interesting, in a very weird way. The look is disconcerting; the robots look more like second hand rejects from a Halloween shop, than real human heads.

This film is so confusing; you want to slate it but you find yourself equating it with the first two well-received films. I have to say though that this should have been rated a 15. It makes you jump at times, and again that is a huge bonus. This is a crash band wallop, all action film and a good one at that, but it is not Terminator. As fans, we struggled to give this a rating. So in the end we came up with a simple way of deciding….Compare it to other films out this year so far. By this method it merits a good 4 out of 5, but as Terminator stories go, it is a 3 out of 5. Nevertheless this film will set you thinking... It will get you intrigued and it will do you head in trying to work out whether you liked it or not! GO AND SEE IT! Also, let us know what you thought of it. It will be interesting to see which of the two films, Terminator or Transformers will come in with the biggest audience.

We would like to thank Vue Southport for letting us in to see this film in advance and we have to say sorry that we took a week and a half making our minds up about it! Be warned, "We will be back."  We wish to see it again, as we want to settle this once and for all!

"Hard to rate, but very enjoyable."
Rating:- 4 out of 5

Running time:- 115 min
UK film classification:-

To see the film times why not go to:- myvue.com and/or see our Southport Vue Film Times page on Mersey Reporter by clicking here here now.

Everton's New Fooball Kit

EVERTON FC unveiled it's new home kit on 5 June 2009 for the next football season, 2009/2010. The unveiling happened at Liverpool One's new Everton FC store, named Everton Two. On hand was Everton's legendary manager Howard Kendall, who unveiled the kit. Ian Fairbrother popped along for us and snapped off these three shots...

Aughton MVC's "Last Night of the Proms"

THE Aughton MVC are holding a Song and Brass concert at St Bede's R.C. High School on Friday, 19 June 2009 from 7:30pm, the Greenalls Brass Band are the geust artistes and along with the choir and audience with perfom a "Last Night of the Proms" finale. The concert will be attend by the new Mayor and Mayoress. Tickets for the event will be available on he door priced £7:00 (incl refreshments) or from the choirs concert secretary Mr K. Harrison 01744 883356.  The choir have a limited number of dates available for concerts in 2009 and are taking bookins for 2010, for any organisation that feel we can assist the contact MrHarrison who will be pleased to assist you. 

The choir rehearse on Monday evenings at the Aughton Village Hall from 7:30pm (except 2nd Monday 8:00pm) any propective new male members are welcome to come along, where you will receive a warm friendly welcome...