Terminator Salvation (DVD)

The Terminator is back! Set in a post-apocalyptic 2018, this fourth instalment of the saga stars Christian Bale as John Connor, humanity's last hope in the war against the machines. From visionary director McG, this is one adrenaline-pumping thrill ride that no sci-fi fan should be without! The End Begins Now The year is 2018. Judgment Day has come and gone. At the behest of Skynet, an army of Terminators roams the wastelands killing or collecting humans. The only hope for the survival of humanity is Resistance fighter John Connor: a man whose destiny has always been intertwined with the fate of human existence. As the future of the world teeters on the brink of the future John has been warned about his whole life, something totally new shakes his belief that mankind stands a chance against the machines: the appearance of Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington), a man from the past whose last memory is of being on death row before awakening in this post-apocalyptic nightmare. In the face of an ever-adapting Skynet, John must decide whether Marcus can be trusted as he prepares to face the enemy head-on. Play.com Review Director McG's Terminator Salvation sees Hollywood superstar Christian Bale (The Dark Knight) step into the post-apocalyptic shoes of John Connor. Terminator Salvation breathes new life into the series, welcoming Tim Burton's favourite composer Danny Elfman, Bryce Dallas Howard (The Village) as Kate Connor - replacing Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines' Claire Danes - and hotly-tipped Australian newcomer Sam Worthington (Avatar) in the role of Marcus Wright. As with the prequels, the film features plenty of terrifying additions to Skynet's arsenal including the Harvester, Mototerminators and T-600s, but it's the chance to see the first film set after Judgement Day that really appeals. Terminator Salvation is a rollicking chase movie with spectacular action - the escape from the giant robot Harvester is a particular highlight. Meanwhile, the dilapidated deserts of California and the LA-based Skynet - a dark lair of pipes, pumps, gun turrets and factories - provide a fascinating backdrop for the future war. With strong support from Moon Bloodgood and Anton Yelchin - channelling Michael Biehn as Kyle Reese - Christian Bale lends John Connor A-list authority, whilst being totally believable in the action scenes - especially when he meets an old foe towards the end of the movie (you'll have to watch to find out!). However, the real star of the show is Sam Worthington as Marcus. Sporting the good looks and understated charisma of a classic matinee idol, we cannot wait to see Worthington in Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgement Day director James Cameron's Avatar. Ultimately, though, it's the characters that make Terminator Salvation standout from the slew of event movies, remaining true to the spirit of the series - characters you actually care about.