First McG was attached to direct and fans were outraged. Then Christian Bale was attached to play John Conor, fans cheered. This back and forth continued all through production. The trailer would win the skeptics over just as Bale’s on set breakdown hit the gossip blogs. James Cameron would “give his blessing” just as Stan Winston would pass away.

Fans were rattled and when Salvation finally hit the theaters audiences collectively shrugged their shoulders.

The war between man and machines has raged on. In post-pocolyptic 2018, John Connor is all grown up has become the leader or prophet of survivors called the resistance. The rest of the film pretty much could have wrote itself if only McG didn’t introduce to us Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington) who is thrown into the mix as the first flesh covered, heart beating Terminator.

Not only does Salvation not advance the story of the franchise but it never distinguishes itself as ever relating to the existing films. Only the character names and poster ever really ground this film in the franchise. McG seemed far to pre-occupied with showing off his CGI budget and blowing things up.

Terminator Salvation was a missed opportunity. And unless you get the Blu-Ray version, don’t expect to get any special features. Not even the trailer, which would have been the only thing worth watching on the disc.