FRANCHISE RANKING: The "TERMINATOR" Movies
Below is my ranking of the four movies in the "TERMINATOR" franchise:
FRANCHISE RANKING: The "TERMINATOR" Movies
1. "Terminator Salvation" (2009) - That is correct. This is my favorite movie in the "TERMINATOR". Mind you, it has its flaws like the other three films. However, the reason I am willing to tolerate them more is that I like the fact that this movie is a complete turnaround from the franchise's previous entries. There is no futuristic cyborg trying to hunt down John Connor. Nor is there a time traveling protector trying to save him. Instead, this movie is about a con job pulled by Skynet to lure Connor to their headquarters, in order to kill him. And this is set in the years after Judgement Day. I love this new twist in the franchise.
2. "The Terminator" (1984) - This is the movie that started it all. And aside from a few quibbles regarding the Kyle Reese characterization, an overlong final confrontation with the T-800 assassin, and a great deal of confusion over the movie's setting and locations, it is a big favorite of mine.
3. "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" (2003) - Although there is a bit of silliness in the movie's first half hour, this tale of John Connor and Kate Brewster's attempt to prevent Judgment Day ended up providing a great deal of pathos to the saga. Especially in a fabulously acted final scene.
4. "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" (1991) - I realize that many would find it hard to believe that this is my least favorite "TERMINATOR" movie. But it is. Do not get me wrong. It is damn good. But it also has faults that make it hard for me to tolerate - namely Sarah Connor's personality change, the long running time, the unnecessarily long final action scene and the fact that the main villain - a T-1000 Terminator model portrayed by Robert Patrick - is missing from the movie for nearly an hour.