Terminator Salvation: The Official Movie Companion – Review

Endo Morgan

15 years ago

Terminator Salvation: The Official Movie Companion Review

Terminator Salvation: The Official Movie Companion by Tara Bennett
176 pages
Publisher: Titan Books
Print edition: 28 April 2009
Language English
ISBN: 9781848560819
Product Dimensions: 10.88″ x 8.50″ (US) 276mm x 215mm (UK)

“The eagerly awaited new Terminator movie, Terminator Salvation, starring Christian Bale and directed by McG, reaches cinemas on 22 May 2009.
In a brand-new chapter in the Terminator saga, Judgment Day has come to pass and Skynet has destroyed much of the world’s population. In this post-apocalyptic world populated by deadly killing machines, the Resistance, including John Connor, continues its brutal fight for survival.
The Official Movie Companion takes you behind-the-scenes of the making of the brand-new movie and contains exclusive interviews with the cast and crew, as well as an abundance of stunning, previously unseen photos.”
Titan Books

Review

So, the Official Movie Companion 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 come on! A Beret! A Ras-berry Beret almost – bar the presence of one glittered-up, mustachioed pop pixie (obviously I mean Prince).
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, a lot 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 suspect that the studio thought sex appeal would vanish with his shorn locks, so they moved away from that option.

I’d like to mention the pose that Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington) has 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, 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 bytes, 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 till Judgment Day cometh.

Have you read the official movie companion?