Terminator Salvation

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Terminator Salvation

PG-13

Released May 21, 2009

1h 56m

Sci-Fi

Action

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Popcornmeter

33%

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278 Reviews

53%

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250,000+ Ratings

Although Judgment Day has in fact occurred, the future for which John Connor (Christian Bale) was prepared has been partly altered by the appearance of a stranger named Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington). Connor must determine if Wright has been rescued from the past, or sent from the future. As the machines prepare for a final battle, Connor and Wright delve deep into Skynet's heart, uncovering a secret that could lead to the annihilation of mankind.

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Critics Consensus

With storytelling as robotic as the film's iconic villains, Terminator Salvation offers plenty of great effects but lacks the heart of the original films.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

It was good, but not great.

Rated: B

Sep 12, 2017

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Joshua Rothkopf

Time Out

Missing is Cameron's signature action modification, best exploited in Aliens: the strapping female heroine. McG's testosterone-juiced world feels a little doomed without her.

Rated: 2/5

Nov 17, 2011

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Laremy Legel

Film.com

It brings me very little joy to report that this version of the popular Terminator franchise is silly, obtuse, and pointless.

Rated: D+

May 6, 2011

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

This rather cold exercise contains a synthesized quality and feels like it was executed by an artificial intelligence.

Rated: 1.5/4

Sep 19, 2023

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Emiliano Basile

EscribiendoCine

Terminator Salvation lacks human connection as the backdrop of the story, and if it has any, they're far removed from the films starring Arnold. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 6/10

Jul 11, 2023

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

I liked “Terminator Salvation” and while it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, I think it has a place in the series.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 25, 2022

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Mike

loved whole experience

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/08/21

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Terminator T

I like it for the best sounding terminators

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/23/25

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Christopher J

worst out of the first 4 films this is a mindnumbing shooting fest to the point were its boring and not exciting

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/04/25

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Faiz D

Liked it because of Christian Bale's performance.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

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Stuart D

I can see why Christian Bale got angry while filming this. The only think Terminator Salvation managed to salvage was the disappointment I feel every time a new movie in the franchise is released. They should have ended it at T2

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/22/25

Full Review

Matthew T

T4: Salvation is a failed promise. In many ways, it’s like the Star Wars prequels: so much potential, squandered on a small, misguided story set against the backdrop of a grand sci-fi epic. This was supposed to be the film—John Connor’s rise, the start of the war trilogy we’d been waiting for. Clear. Focused. Epic. Instead, we got a strange plot centered around Kyle Reese and, inexplicably, the literal heart of a hero. Yes, it ends with a heart transplant. That’s where we ended up. There is cool stuff here—some strong casting choices and a solid first act. But once it hits the second half, it all unravels into a long, drawn-out rescue mission. This time around, I just found myself waiting for it to be over.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/13/25

Full Review

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Sam Worthington

Marcus Wright

Moon Bloodgood

Blair Williams

Helena Bonham Carter

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Anton Yelchin

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Synopsis

Although Judgment Day has in fact occurred, the future for which John Connor (Christian Bale) was prepared has been partly altered by the appearance of a stranger named Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington). Connor must determine if Wright has been rescued from the past, or sent from the future. As the machines prepare for a final battle, Connor and Wright delve deep into Skynet's heart, uncovering a secret that could lead to the annihilation of mankind.

Director: McG
Producer: Moritz Borman, Derek Anderson, Victor Kubicek, Jeffrey Silver
Screenwriter: John D. Brancato, Michael Ferris
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Moritz Borman
Rating: PG-13 (Intense Sci-Fi Violence|Intense Sci-Fi Action|Language)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 21, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 22, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $125.3M
Runtime: 1h 56m

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