THE END BEGINS.

In 2018, John Connor (Christian Bale) thinks he has found a way to defeat the deadly machines, but he also needs to track down a teenager (Anton Yelchin) who will be crucial to the future of mankind.

The fourth film in the series is the first without Arnold Schwarzenegger, though his T-101 has an ingenious cameo. There are many other such endearing references to the predecessors throughout McG’s surprisingly exciting film, which is well paced, has high production values (featuring a few new terrifying machines), elaborate action sequences and a final showdown that just won’t let up.

Bale and Sam Worthington are good… but look a little too much alike.

2009-U.S. 114 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed by McG. Screenplay: John Brancato, Michael Ferris. Music: Danny Elfman. Cast: Christian Bale (John Connor), Sam Worthington (Marcus Wright), Anton Yelchin (Kyle Reese), Moon Bloodgood, Bryce Dallas Howard, Common, Jane Alexander, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Ironside. Voice of Linda Hamilton.

Trivia: Charlotte Gainsbourg and Tilda Swinton were considered for roles; Josh Brolin as Marcus Wright. This was the last film Stan Winston worked on as a visual effects supervisor. Followed by Terminator Genisys (2015).

Last word: “I wanted to pay my respects [to James Cameron] and let him know the great degree to which the first two Terminator films affected me and I wanted his blessing. He wouldn’t give it to me, and said, ‘I’d prefer you to make a good film rather than a bad film and I will have to see the script and see the picture before I give you my opinion.’ I said, ‘Fair enough. I would prefer you made a good Avatar rather than a bad Avatar and I reserve judgment until I see it.’ We both sort of laughed and shook hands.” (McG, The Telegraph)