It’s times like this you wish that Arnold Schwarzenegger was still making movies. OK, just Terminator movies.

The last time we saw Schwarzenegger in pre-governor mode was in 2003’s “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.” To be honest that film was a notch better than then this installment.

If you wait too long to add another film in the franchise, a lot gets lost over time. I think that’s why “Godfather III” (1990) wasn’t nearly as effective as the first two. The time between “Godfather” (1972) and Godfather: Part II” (1974) was just a couple of years. The time between Godfathers II and III was over 16 years, and during that time we were treated to a long list of excellent mob movies. And the “Godfather” trilogy retained its original director too with Francis Ford Coppola.

By the time director McG got around to doing his fourth installment of the successful Terminator trilogy only a mere six years had elapsed since the making of “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.” But it was more than 18 years since director James Cameron had his stamp already imprinted into the genre ending with “Terminator 2: Judgment Day.”

Yep, those are some pretty big cyborg feet to fill Mr. McG.

But where director J.J. Abrams succeeded in taking a worn out franchise (“Star Trek”) and making it fresh to a new generation, McG’s movie only makes you notice the absence of the original “Terminator” director. What we get in return is Batman. Actually Christian Bale is a mere mortal as the son of Sarah Connor, John Connor. And like Batman doesn’t smile very much. Then again it’s the future.

As with most future-oriented motion pictures, the landscape is very depressing. It’s not too often the future ever looks rosy because then we wouldn’t be fearing our actions taking place in the “now.” Then again when you have World War III happening, it’s difficult to put a pleasant spin on tomorrow as you’re melting today.

You see the machines have finally taken over, and it’s only the year 2018! As it turns out man’s trust in the corporate giant known as Skynet has back lashed on us releasing its army of metallic monsters upon those who created and put in their trust, and now the human gene pool is being systematically eradicated.

I have to say the special effects and CGI terminators (especially the giant ones) looked pretty awesome. Unfortunately, the monsters were more exciting in their carnage then was the real life acting. In a way I can see where McG is going and he does (with a slight nod to the past) set his movie in the near future where the other “Terminator” flicks were pretty much set in the present time.

If you’re not familiar with the “Terminator” franchise, it’s best to watch all three of the early outings because it’ll make more sense why Connor is going to be the he ad of the Resistance and why a young Kyle Reese (Anton Yelchin) will be the reason that John Connor even exists at all. Yeah, I know it is mind twist when dealing with future events and then having to go back into time to see why it is mind-boggling.

“Terminator Salvation” does have an interesting storyline in the way of Marcus Wright (played by Sam Worthington). He is that slight nod to the not-too-distant past but plays a big part in the future with John Connor. I liked that his role was pivotal because you’re not sure what side he’s on, and if Connor makes a wrong or misinformed decision then he won’t exist. Man, I love time-oriented and space-time continuum material. It really messes with your head sometimes.

“Terminator Salvation” is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and language with a running time of 115 minutes.