Late shows rule. Last night I saw “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” and tonight “Terminator Salvation.” Both are loud, slam-bang action fests with plenty of F/X eye candy. Both feature surprising amounts of way cool motorcycle action. Alas, “Wolverine” is so self-conscious that it’s funny when it doesn’t mean to be.
“Terminator Salvation” is a lot more serious, perhaps because lead actor Christian Bale acts without a trace of deconstructive irony. The Terminator canon is safe. It also has a couple of eye-popping action sequences: director McG certainly understands visceral choreography. The “Transformers” editors could learn a thing or two. The movie also has a certain stark beauty that’s striking.
These are the sort of movies that really should be seen in a theater with great sound and screening, along with “Star Trek.” The summer movie season is off to a good start.
