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BS: Terminator Salvation

31 May 09 - 07:57 AM (#2644739)
Subject: BS: Terminator Salvation
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)

Well it's been a while since I saw a decent Sci Fi film with big robots and massive pointless explosions... Not for want of them of course, but because the latest 'Sci Fi' offerings pumped out by Hollywood have been utter relentless shite with piffling plots that I wouldn't spend a fiver on in the bargain bucket, let alone go to the flix to see.

Here's hoping that Terminator Salvation will offer big robots (tick), massive pointless explosions (tick), a loud body thumping score (tick) and a proper interesting Sci Fi plot worthy of the genre (??).
Either way the trailer looks top..!

Terminator Salvation


31 May 09 - 11:39 AM (#2644879)
Subject: RE: BS: Terminator Salvation
From: Little Hawk

Look, if you want to see a really GOOD sci-fi film, go see the new Star Trek.

I haven't seen the new Terminator film yet, but judging by the reviews I've read (both the critics and the public)...if all you want is a relentless succession of very loud action scenes, unremitting violence, and a lot of things blowing up real good...you will absolutely LOVE it. ;-) As for the "proper interesting Sci Fi plot worthy of the genre"...well, possibly...but I'd keep my fingers crossed on that.

I still haven't decided whether to risk my ten bucks at the show or wait till it comes out on video.


31 May 09 - 01:22 PM (#2644953)
Subject: RE: BS: Terminator Salvation
From: wysiwyg

T-3 goes to CHURCH? :~) ("saved," LOL)

~S~


31 May 09 - 06:26 PM (#2645183)
Subject: RE: BS: Terminator Salvation
From: McGrath of Harlow

If it's "massive pointless explosions" you're after, the new Star Trek is one to see all right. But "a really GOOD sci-fi film" - not so sure about that.


01 Jun 09 - 01:00 AM (#2645327)
Subject: RE: BS: Terminator Salvation
From: Little Hawk

It's hard to find ANY sci-fi, action or adventure film that is NOT replete with massive, pointless explosions, McGrath. ;-) The movie industry seems to feel that they are absolutely required in order to sell tickets. And the general public seems to agree.

The Star Trek movie, however, succeeds entirely because of its actors, the human (and Vulcan) personalities whom they portray, and their personal stories and the interplay between those characters...not because of its explosions. The explosions are just there...sort of like the screeching wheels in a road movie or the wallpaper in a room. You don't go into a room to focus on the wallpaper. At least, I don't. ;-D But it still always helps a bit if the wallpaper is well chosen.

There were 2 things that made Star Trek special as a series.

1. The personalities of the main characters
2. The complex story ideas and philosophically challenging notions in many scripts.

This movie didn't have much of number 2 at all, but it did very well in number 1, and that is why it's a very good movie of its type.

If, however, you are a person who simply doesn't relate much to Star Trek in the first place, then it would probably leave you cold, I guess.


01 Jun 09 - 03:57 AM (#2645382)
Subject: RE: BS: Terminator Salvation
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)

Bit of a thread drift, not that it matters, but there have been some interesting modern sci-fi without explosions, thinking of things like Gattica or Existinz, or even Vanilla Sky here (though admittedly less in very recent years).

Though apocalyptic sci-fi of course *has* to have them, plus I do like good futuristic battle scenes myself. One of my favourites ever, being the machines attack on Zion, in Matrix III, which was simply fantastic at the cinema.


01 Jun 09 - 10:32 AM (#2645559)
Subject: RE: BS: Terminator Salvation
From: Jack Blandiver

I liked the Matrix concept with its darkly Gnostic themes, but found the GCI a little harsh on my eye! Loved the Anime though. For the best in apocalyptic Gnostic sci-fi I think Quatermass and the Pit is still the best - and scariest! I hope & pray they never do a remake.


01 Jun 09 - 11:04 AM (#2645578)
Subject: RE: BS: Terminator Salvation
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)

I liked Animatrix, but they're all so frigging desolate! Another top darkly Gnostic sci-fi to strain your eyeballs, is Philip K Dick's 'Scanner Darkly' - quite a lot of pop-Gnostica out there.


01 Jun 09 - 11:12 AM (#2645585)
Subject: RE: BS: Terminator Salvation
From: Midchuck

I loved the original Matrix, but the two sequels were horrible.

Firefly/Serenity RULES - but probably no one will know what I'm talking about.

Pity.

Peter


01 Jun 09 - 12:13 PM (#2645648)
Subject: RE: BS: Terminator Salvation
From: Little Hawk

"Quatermass and the Pit" was a superb sci-fi film, but too brainy for the average North American audience, who want to see fistfights, laser guns, and spaceships blowing up. I loved it, being the type that goes for brainy stuff.


01 Jun 09 - 05:59 PM (#2645900)
Subject: RE: BS: Terminator Salvation
From: Jack Blandiver

Have you seen the original BBC series the Quatermass films were based on? I've got the whole of Pit somewhere on VHS. Nigel Kneale is one of my favourite sci-fi writers. Despite the rather ropey production values I think The Stone Tape is one of the finest.


01 Jun 09 - 06:13 PM (#2645907)
Subject: RE: BS: Terminator Salvation
From: Little Hawk

Haven't seen it yet.