Titan Books Terminator

There has always been a very good reason why I love literature as much as I do, the insight into the mind of the characters is staggering and there's no let-down here.

We're introduced mid-war to the stoic John Connor and his beloved Kate as they struggle just to survive the toil of daily life,- but not as we know it.
Decimation is everywhere and people live like rats, hiding in tunnels and scouring city streets for the meagre tools to scrape through the existing hours of daylight into the darkness of a more dangerous battleground.

We meet Blair and Barnes too, the tension there is wire-tight and fraught in a situation none of us will experience, bar there being a deadlock in the American Idol final *gasp*.
There is no gentle seduction. No soft lead in. We're thrown in at the deep end and just wait till the waves smash the teeth from your gaping mouth, because it will drag you under in more ways than one.

Okay, Barnes is a smidge bit trigger-happy, but hey, it's Terminator! And where would we be without a nice dollop of gung-ho?! The Care Bears that's where.
Blair is strong and forthright, just what we need in a female lead, not that I'm knocking Kate. Nooo. But sometimes you just need a little less talk and a little more action (sorry Elvis dude).

Kate's more the "mother-earth" caring type, which is a great counterbalance to John's strong silent leader. We will always need the human touch when it comes to brutal violence and that's what Kate sweetly adds to the story.

The author gives us a rough idea of what times are like post-apocalypse, we read about battle formations and even a tiny piece of Terminator music history (yes, I do like nostalgia. I do, I do). But the important thing about this novel is the sketching of the different relationships that both engages and intrigues the reader to the giddy-kneed point of anticipation.

I'm not going to go overboard and gush like an eighteen year old cheerleader at a Pep Rally (or am I?) but I have to say I was really impressed by how much it entertained me.

Summary:

Bring on the movie I'm ready to lose some teeth!

So, the Official Movie Compagnion eh? First thing's first, I saw what you said on page 17 you Charlie's Angels director, with your easy smile and your need to carry Red Herrings around with you like some sort of lanyard:

Talking about things giving things to other things so that they might do certain things *lip curled indignantly* .

Most of the information you will have heard before, if you're anything like me and have been following Terminator Salvation for longer than the Jonas Brothers have been wearing Chastity rings (so, a while then).

But there is that odd occasion when some juicy morsel escapes the media lobster net and huzzah there are more than a few here, oh, sweet sweet superiority.

At points though I did titter (I'm being delicate) at some of the designs, especially some of the costume designs. For instance, John Connor (Christian Bale) in a Beret, yes, a motherf*cking Beret.
Pardon my French. But dudes, come on! A Beret! A Ras-berry Beret almost- bar the presence of one glittered-up, mustacheod pop pixie.
I simply don't think I could take the leader of mankind's future seriously with a jaunty hat.
The costumes worn by Mr. Bale in the film were a much better idea, more "run around chasing big f*ck off robots". Aside from the Beret Christian in early designs was meant to be bald ala Nick Stahl's future John Connor from T3, but I think sex appeal would vanish with his shorn locks so they moved away from that option.

I'd like to mention the pose Marcus Wright was in in two pictures: one was his execution- arms outstretched in an almost crucifixional pose.
And the other? When the Resistance had uncovered his secret. McG apparently didn't realise that it might have religious connotations *hidden scoffing* but it's clear what the word "salvation" conjures up... I'm just saying.

Summary:

It's a nice fat book loaded with info and trivia and other such brain exploding details, so my suggestion is... take it in small bites, never too much at once and remember to floss afterwards, actually forget that, it's going to get stuck in your teeth and sit there til Judgment Day cometh.

As I reclined, one afternoon, upon my deluxe suede settee perusing the fine pages of "The Art of Terminator Salvation" I found myself amused at the fanciful delights my eyes did behold.
It's a good book, it really is, *hand on heart* the pictures were plentiful and detailed to within a screaming Dutchman's inch of its life,- I caught myself more than once flicking through the pages without even noticing that I'd picked it up (again).

The landscapes designed by Martin Laing were absolutely breathtaking, mother nature adding a stunning extra character to the scenes taking place, the colours and textures to them are lush yet desolate.
Stan Winston Studio (now Legacy Studios), the people behind the puppetry and sparkle must've worked like a bat in a biscuit tin because what they managed blows my mind, I never got past War Hammer and a small tin of paint.
The book is a great insight into what the Director, Producers and others were thinking when they helped extend our view into the Judgment Day world of the Terminator. Down to the tiniest little speck, everything was explained, which to me was awesome.
The big glossy hardback book is worth the purchase and in years to come may well yield yet more fruit as a collectors item (yes, I know you know that, I'm just saying... ).

Summary:

Buy it, read it, keep it,- even visit your local library and request it. I read it, so should you.

From book to movie always bothers me, pedantic I know,- but usually the reader imagines the story with unjaundiced eyes only to have Hollywood rip the vision into itty bitty pieces, since it's the other way round here (I think), it should be all cool.

There are a few differences here, any casual reader will tell you that, but I quite like those little inconsistencies. For instance; Marcus- he doesn't hit the ground running in this novel. He's a tad more confused, going along for the ride as he finds his feet and the city he once knew. The Wizard Of Oz motif hiding subtly underneath the action. Following the yellow lines on the road (see? Yellow brick road? No, not Elton John damn you).

The book fills in all the missing pieces, there's more tenderness and emotion in the scenes between John and Kate, more humanity in every word,- which was on occasion sadly lacking in the movie.
The desolation and grief are beautifully illustrated, the grit and determination are also very present. "a picture speaks a thousand words" true, but words give the picture those little nuances which speak of history as well.

I like to think that in ten years time I shall be pondering life's great conundrums whilst rubbing my leather elbow patches, but until such a day arrives I shall quite happily eat Jelly Babies with casual brutality and watch t.v in my underwear.
My point? Take a break and read something that let's you, for one small second, revel in your own imagination *cough*the book*cough*.

Summary:

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, there were a few things I just wanted to know,- like how John felt as he walked through the gathering of people awaiting the return of their loved-ones from battle. Doubting his credentials as to being the future saviour of mankind, knowing others doubt too, feeling the burden of responsibility. Feeling the failure. The pain.
I had a some questions, I got some answers- and a tad bit of a thrill too.

We've read the other novelizations and loved them, we saw the film and felt our own share of uncertainty, we played the game and were slightly... disheartened.
Now along comes Greg Cox and "Cold War".
So, what did we think... ?

This book blew me away, it was dark, bleak, brutal and most importantly claustrophobic. Everything you could ask for in a Terminator novel, or even a Terminator movie (I'm all a glow).

We follow two people in two different times as they struggle to cope with life during Judgment Day and in the post apocalyptic world. Yes, there is radiation poisoning, yes, people are eating WHATEVER they can scavenge. And, there's a nice love story laced through the centre of all the hate and death just to give you that touch of heart.

Everything is lovingly described and detailed, when there's blood you can be damned sure it's not some glamorous little head-wound, it's a gusher.
No-one is safe from the Terminators, not even the small collection of new characters who you'll easily find yourself caring about.

This book made me question even the premise of salvation and not just that, the use of certain characters who (in theory) are a great addition to a well-loved franchise of story-telling but (in practice) added nothing to a somewhat lacklustre movie.

The characters in this novel dragged me through to the last page in only a handful of hours (bathroom visits included). Unlike with Salvation, I felt the wrenching heartache and loss at the end of the book, it's hard not to.

Summary:

Greg Cox loves Terminator... and you can really tell.

We want more! This book should have been Terminator Salvation the movie, John Connor runs through the book in the form of broadcasts from his crystal peak fall out shelter, Ashdown (old ironsides) is undermining John at every turn making him out to be a false prophet and a pretender. John's messages start to win the resistance over and give hope for the future. This book is the lead up to meeting John Connor, he is always present but not a focus point. He is admired by some and disregarded by others but by the end of the book you want the next book to be about meeting the man "the legend".

Greg Cox brings us exciting Terminator Action sequences ala James Cameron. In your mind you will visualise an avalanche conducted by the resistance to take out a T-600 in the heart of Alaska, smashing its way out of a frozen sheet of ice, still unrelenting and focused on its mission. Greg makes you feel the weather and terrain as it impacts on the ordeal of survival and how the machines have to adapt to conform to terror.

A Skynet factory in the heart of Russia, a showdown between a grizzly bear and a T-600, a love story and blood filled chainsaw scene in which a childrens playground becomes a gruesome battleground and more...