I actually think that kbm has some fascinating things to say about the film, and his/her comments have given me much food for thought; his/her passion for cinema genuinely lifts my spirits. I'm happy to apologise if anything I wrote in the original post seemed tonally problematic or snarky; and I'd like to say to kbm that I'd love to see more of him/her on the site – but let's lay off on the personal insults.

In that regard, let me say to StanleyRumm, thanks also for your comment – though I'd probably want to add, with sincere respect, that the 'powder in his nostrils' statement could appear to cross the same lines of making things unnecessarily personal that got this party started in the first place. Having said that, the suggestion that McG himself might be reading this site is a lovely compliment!

With all that in mind, let me say this, as I don't think it was clear on the podcast:

I liked Terminator Salvation more than I had expected. References to Apocalypse Now, Three Kings, Blade Runner, Saving Private Ryan, Escape from New York, and even (perhaps) The Dark Crystal abound, and reveal McG not only as a film lover of my generation, but a pretty good homagist (if indeed that is the word). It's not clear if this film is critiquing or endorsing the post-9/11 belligerence culture; or speaking fearfully about climate change and techno-colonisation; or trying to be a video game. And it's not clear if the ambiguity is intentional or a result of McG falling short of what he was trying to do. I do think, however, that it represents an attempt at making a serious movie; I do think that McG is likely to succeed in the future at doing so; and I do agree with Jett that the character of John Connor was under-written and performed. It's not a disaster; and if it is full of the coding that kbm suggests, that wouldn't surprise me; but I'd need to see it again.

I actually think that kbm has some fascinating things to say about the film, and his/her comments have given me much food for thought; his/her passion for cinema genuinely lifts my spirits. I'm happy to apologise if anything I wrote in the original post seemed tonally problematic or snarky; and I'd like to say to kbm that I'd love to see more of him/her on the site – but let's lay off on the personal insults.

In that regard, let me say to StanleyRumm, thanks also for your comment – though I'd probably want to add, with sincere respect, that the 'powder in his nostrils' statement could appear to cross the same lines of making things unnecessarily personal that got this party started in the first place. Having said that, the suggestion that McG himself might be reading this site is a lovely compliment!

With all that in mind, let me say this, as I don't think it was clear on the podcast:

I liked Terminator Salvation more than I had expected. References to Apocalypse Now, Three Kings, Blade Runner, Saving Private Ryan, Escape from New York, and even (perhaps) The Dark Crystal abound, and reveal McG not only as a film lover of my generation, but a pretty good homagist (if indeed that is the word). It's not clear if this film is critiquing or endorsing the post-9/11 belligerence culture; or speaking fearfully about climate change and techno-colonisation; or trying to be a video game. And it's not clear if the ambiguity is intentional or a result of McG falling short of what he was trying to do. I do think, however, that it represents an attempt at making a serious movie; I do think that McG is likely to succeed in the future at doing so; and I do agree with Jett that the character of John Connor was under-written and performed. It's not a disaster; and if it is full of the coding that kbm suggests, that wouldn't surprise me; but I'd need to see it again.

He might have had some interesting things to say about The Shining, but best leave his work stand (or not) by itself rather than engaging him in conversation.

I agree it's bizarre, but if he feels the need to insult everyone just leave him off. I don't know the guy, but from what I've seen/ heard he comes across as someone with too much powder in his nostrils.

Maybe he's McG!?

I'll give you some quotes from Christian Bale himself, which in my opinion weren't very glowing of his own take-away from the movie.

First Bale has said about McG when he was trying to convince Bale to do the movie: “I was very open with him and said that I hadn't seen anything he had done before that justified him being the guy to make this.”

Ultimately, Bale gave him a chance, provided they completely re-do the script. Basically he says he thinks he was drunk when he agreed – then he says “I felt good about it, because we really did have a lot of time. And then….f—-k, writer's strike. I learned a lesson then about movies like The Terminator and Batman. Most people assume that if you're risking that amount of money, you don't begin until you're completely ready. In fact, that's what they do only with the lower budget movies……..I thought, of course, we'll push back filming. No. Ain't a possibility……In the end, it was a film experience unlike any I'd had before…”

Take what you will from that, but it sounds a bit like “we didn't make the movie I thought we'd make.”

That said – the great thing about TFT is we all have differing views on movies. Jett really loved “Speed Racer”, for crying out loud. I have admitted openly to watching “The Transformers”…and enjoying it. And I hate Michael Bay.

Like I said, I haven't even seen “Salvation” so I'm not really saying what's good or bad – but giving a viewpoint that kind of backs up what some others are saying. But as Gareth has once said (to paraphrase), it's ok to like all sorts of movies.

*just a silly attempt to lighted the mood