June 4, 2009 | by Rob Keyes 

Terminator Salvation Desperate To Fill Seats

christian bale and sam worthington in terminator salvation

Terminator Salvation was one of my most anticipated films of the year. Unfortunately, it did not live up to the hype for myself and many other Terminator fans, let alone the critics who tore it apart in the plethora of negative reviews found online and in print everywhere.

While the movie is still just opening in many of the foreign markets, its financial performance in theaters is a clear disappointment for director McG and the studio. I wonder if they’re still considering forming a trilogy out of it…

The movie opened on May 21st in North America to bring in around $42.5 million, significantly less than its monthly competitors in Star Trek, Up and X-Men Origins: Wolverine. A big factor in this is the fact that it opened on the date as Night of the Museum 2 which devoured the family segment of the moviegoers that weekend and ended up being the number one film, beating out the fourth Terminator installment.

That being said, I’m sure the awful reviews of the film didn’t help it much either. On Rotten Tomatoes, Terminator Salvation is sitting at 34% and as of today, Terminator Salvation has only brought in around $120 million worldwide while its production budget was $200. It’ll still bring in more with its foreign releases but its near done in its key markets with new films opening every week taking the viewers away.

For instance, this weekend we had Up and Drag Me to Hell open to fantastic reviews and positive fan reception and next weekend we have a pair of new comedies, so I can’t see many people going to see T4 now with all the other options and Star Trek still traveling at warp speed.

Is the moral of the story that Terminator needs Arnold Schwarzenegger as the lead? Many fans thought that leading up to Salvation and it seems the Studio now thinks that too with their most recent act of desperation to bring in more fans to see the flick. The latest TV spot for the movie reveals one of the surprise treats of the movie that wasn’t really a big surprise for those following updates for the movie online. That surprise is a cameo by Arnold, digitally added to the classic T-800 unit for a short scene in the film.

I guess its no longer a spoiler anymore since it is in the TV commercials – Check it out for yourself:

Don’t be fooled by this – What you see in the trailer is pretty much all the screen time he gets in the movie.

It’s too bad this film wasn’t better. It looked polished and finished unlike Wolverine but there was so little to it and none of the interesting plots were explored. Instead, a bunch of set pieces and action sequences were just thrown together with big special effects and references here and there to try and tie it in with the prior films.

If there’s another one, I hope we get a big improvement.

Can Christian Bale truly sell a movie on his own like Arnold could? What do you think of the TV spot showing off Arnold and the idea of another Terminator movie?

Sources: Box Office Mojo, Trailer Addict

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  • jwalka
    it came out here in aus yesterday hahaha so pathetic with the T 1&2 quote usages as well as the stupid action scenes
    and what ever happened to the "rubber skinned" terminators never saw those in the film or pretty much anyother robot except for one or two here and there, me and my mates were laughing at the movie rather than watching it making fun of how sam worthington had to scream about every 10 minutes hehehe
    i hope it does pull in more than its budget so that they make a new one so people have something else to laugh at and mok hehehe
  • hud
    i think the digital arnie has about 30 to 40 seconds of screentime. I for one hope they make another. I liked this film alot. i think it will make around 30-50 million internationally this weekend.
  • hud
    i dont no why in the hell they didnt show arnold earlyer in the trailers. to little to late.
  • 790
    The WB is obviously reading the online feedback on this film.

    Terminator doesn't need Arnold to star. His cameo was cool but to star?, he's really only needed for one more crucial scene when Connor sends him back to protect in the previous films respectively.
    They can use CGI on that too, who cares I'm telling you Arnold is too old and too deep into politics to act anymore...

    I seriously doubt you will ever see him star in another film again.
  • Matt Keith
    I don't think they should do another...end the series like it shoulh have done already.
  • Matt Keith
    ...and by "it" I mean T2.
  • 790
    Mcg is going to be fired from Terminator. (IMO)

    I wonder if Bale will attempt to distance himself as well after the theatrical run is over?
  • Stephen
    I like you was disappointed with this movie as it was my number one anticipated film of the year. Still a pretty good action movie, but those trailers duped me into thinking it might have been on par or close to being on par as the first Terminator. I didn't have as high of hopes to think it could be as good as the second but you know, being as good as the first Terminator was still pretty high hopes.
  • IvaN NavI
    I saw it and I was not disappointed. I need to see it again to be sure if I really liked it or if it was just ok. I think the editing of the movie was not good. the movie did not flow like Star Trek did. I did not think the plot was silly. I was really pleased with Christian, Sam and the rest of the cast. I loved arnold's cameo. I hope they do complete the trilogy and they put more time in the editing room, but again I was not disappointed.
  • filmguy
    This flick is no where near as bad as they say. In fact it's probably better then most of the other crap that's been coming out. It definitely isn't perfect but it serves its purpose.
  • Huggybear
    Hah, that will teach them not to let McCrap direct anymore
  • The fake Arnold looks fake - his skin looks like plastic. Given that it is only a couple of seconds you'd think they would have been able to do better.
  • Filmguy
    I guess you don't know much about capabilities of CGI. This is the very best quality that the technology offers at this point. They even used an advanced new program developed for James Cameron's Avatar flick. The work on CG Arnold was done by the most talented visual effects artists in the best visual effects department in the world ILM. I assure it doesn't get any better. The effect was top of the line and looked great.
  • Lank
    Agreed, filmguy. It jut got released here (UK) and I saw it last night (in a fairly empty cinema). Having low expectations probably helped but to be honest I do think the reviews are way too harsh.

    I did hate T3 because of its jokey approach, and this one definitely has its fair share of flaws... but I personally thought it made a great summer film. I don't really get why everyone is moaning about plot holes, there wasn't anything that glaringly made no sense.

    Sod the reviews, I liked it. Then again I enjoyed Wolverine, so my opinion probably isn't worth much :D

    Regarding the trailer... sticking Arnie in is really misleading, and reeks of desperation. Unlikely to make any difference to the box office either.
  • Lank
    And CG Arnie looked better than the real thing in T3 :)
  • Daniel F
    Saw it finally. Not as great as it looked, but certainly an enjoyable film. Deserves better than what it's getting. It's sad to see the low numbers this movie is leaps and bounds better than that Transformers garbage that rakes in the cash.
  • The Voice
    It's crazy how the movie isn't doing well. It wasn't bad and it's pg-13. They should have made it R and done it exactly how they wanted to if this is the case. Mind boggling to me.
  • The Voice
    @Daniel
    Explain how it's better than transformers because you made no points in your empty statement.
  • SK-47
    I have not seen this movie, I haven't seen any of the big films out there recently--Star Trek, Up, Terminator, Wolverine, Angels & Demons, and even Drag Me To Hell which I really want to see. Basically I have seen nothing, and my buddies tell me "you gotta see Terminator, Arnold's part is awesome! The action is great!" The main concensus is Arnold and the action, double AA.
    Now after seeing this trailer, WOW, honestly I desperately want to see this film now even knowing all the shyte reviews out there and Rob's verdict. The one part that got me really excited was seeing Arnold, 84 just retired from Mr. Olympia-post Conan Arnold in form, even though it is CGI.
    Well this trailer has done its job for me and I will be seeing it, again even knowing the negativity towards the film. Warner Bros. should have put this trailer initially, Arnold the King still sells!
    I have said it in a previous thread that for overseas they should include Arnold's name alongside Bale & Worthington.

    790, you know we're cool about T3 but how can you say that about the King? I wanna see Arnold back in the movies!
  • Nice article. I agree that the movie was a disappointment, as there was absolutely no purpose for the storyline to take place at that particular moment in John Connor's life.

    And adding Arnold Schwarzenegger? That might fill a few more seats, but the first thing they need to do is improve the plot.
  • rawpower05
    WHY IS REVIEWS SAY ONE THING AND THE COMMERCIAL REVIEWS (CLAIM ANOTHER)?
  • Gary
    It was inevitable that they used Arnold in the advertising .
    Its probably not going to make a big difference.
    It might help a little though .
  • rawpower05
    Good point Joshi, thanks
  • Phil G
    The reviews are WAY too negative and harsh. It's ridiculous. It's like they are purposely trying to tear this movie down for no good reason at all.

    I saw the movie, and while it wasn't as good as T2 and did have some missed potential, it was still an enjoyable movie experience and I don't know why it's getting all the criticism it is. Everybody I have talked to who has seen it liked it as well. About the only negative thing I've heard is that the ending was somehow too "wussy" or "lame" (I do think it was a little silly) but otherwise...

    I DO agree that John Conner was miscast. Sam Worthington stole the show and I can see why he was originally wanted as John Conner. Christian Bale shouldn't have been anywhere near this movie. Unfortunate.
  • Josh R
    This movie failed at the box office because the trailers made it look like a dark, depressing movie, and people don't want that right now. Star Trek, Night at the Museum, Up, even Wolverine, are all way "happier" films.

    I will never understand why people tear this movie apart. The action was great, the acting was on par or better than the other three, and the story holds up just as well as the first two. Yes, it does. Remove those rose-tinted glasses and rewatch the first two, especially the second one, and you'll realize there are just as many stupid plot holes in those movies as there are in this one.

    And since you'll call me out on that, I'll list a few off the top of my head: The time travel theory used is completely different in both films (you CAN'T change the past in the first one, you CAN in the second). The first Terminator only wore sunglasses because he was missing an eye, so why then did the second one feel the need to wear them? How did the T-1000 go through the time machine, when it is obviously not covered in living tissue?
  • Wickamo
    OMG you guys. For people claiming to be fans, you sure sound more like enemies of the film, always trying to shoot it full of holes. This movie was a totally awesome kickass thrill ride. Seriously you couldn’t figure out these “plot holes” as you call them your selves. It was pretty obvious to me as it was to quite a few others on this page. This is a story about the most intelligent AI in existence that has the ability to travel through time and you can’t figure out for instance how they would know about Kyle. When Connor sent Kyle through to protect Sara, Skynet would most likely know that. I figure they could send that info back to whenever they wanted pretty easily. But does it really matter?!? Movies are for entertainment! Just watch it and have fun for heavens sake. Forget about pointless little details like that. A T800 getting dropped into a vat of molten metal compared to having some spilled on it…Duh. But again, it’s just a movie, it doesn’t have to always make perfect sense or at least you don’t always have to know the reason behind everything. I get so tired of hearing “but they didn’t explain every frickin little detail to me!” and “Whe wouldn’t skynet do this or that!” Geez. If you want that kind of reasoning, then why didn’t skynet just send 200 T800’s back to the bar where arnold first found her after he failed so that Kyle wouldn’t have had a chance to protect her? I’ll tell you why….because first of all it wasn’t in the script! and second of all that would have made the movie about 3 minutes long and then you’d be complaining, “Why didn’t they make the movie longer?!?…..Whaaaaaaaaa!” So seriously if you can’t go watch these movies while maintaining a ounce of common sense, then stay home and watch sponge bob of something. I love Screenrant for it’s info on movies but you complaining commenters…..I mean Geez!
  • 790
    Terminator and Terminator 2 had some plot holes but it made up for those with good writing.

    Terminator Salvation has bad writing and bad character development. It was a crappy film...

    If you need more reasons, check out the Terminator spoiler comment page.
  • Daniel F
    The Voice It's better than Transformers simply because Transformers is a horrible film. The acting in Salvation is better the plot is better there is more emotion and depth. Transformers was a really dumb film and I mean that there was no intelligence behind it. The only two things redeemable about Transformers were great CGI and Megan Fox is nice eye candy. Seriously the story was terrible and the film was so dumbed down that it almost made you feel like you were losing IQ points just watching it. It was an incredibly shallow film.

    Sorry Joshi, but I don't buy it. Wheater you got what you expected or not a crappy film is still a crappy film and that's exactly what Transformers was.


    It's sad to see all the Bale hating. I'm willing to bet had this exact same movie come out before The Dark Knight he'd be getting praised for his performance. People tend to start hating someone once they get real big and all the negative press over the incident with his mom and the explosion he had on set didn't help either. He was easily the best performance of the movie and did a fantastic job. The comparison to his Batman voice is idiotic. Anyone who thinks he sounds like Batman in Salvation really needs to bust out their Dark Knight dvd. It's a much tamer voice not only lower in volume, but far far far less gravely it's not even close not even when he yells in Salvation.
  • boom!
    blame the productors or McG(if he had the director cut) to have cut every Connor scene .
    You can see how a movie of 2H20 becomes 1H50! i loved the movie (not great but a good war/action movie),the story is different( i don't want another movie with Terminator again saving John Connor against another Terminator)and it's really better than Wolverine!
    it's not boring!the action are great!
    for me,Worthington doesn't steal the show because Marcus is the real star of the movie(you see less Connor)and there is no miscast about Connor,Bale plays him as a soldier with a bad temper!
    the productors had been able to keep the first end(Connor dies and becomes a Terminator using Marcus body)
    They must star John Connor,less action and more script!
  • Daniel F
    I agree about the Batman voice it would sound better if it was more like the Conner voice, but the problem is his Connor voice simply sounded like a slightly Rugged Bruce Wayne voice. The thing about the Batman voice is that it is vastly different from Bruce Wayne and that's the point for him to sound nothing like Bruce so people can't just hear him and go oh that's Bruce Wayne.

    I guess we will have to disagree on Transformers since I thought it was the worst major blockbuster film in the last 2 years possibly longer. It was made with zero intelligence behind it. It really was just simply a dumbed down film. There were no stand out performances as far as acting goes I mean the only really good thing about it were the special effects and I can't think of much that is less important to me in a movie than the effects.
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