Blu-ray disc of the week: Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles - The Complete Season 1.

No Arnie, but this franchise is far from terminated

Plot

Embattled Sarah Connor, and her son John discover they did not prevent Judgement Day. The Machines are back to finish what they started, and like always a cyborg protector travels through time to help keep them alive

Review

At T3 we're known to get excited about future tech. Tomorrow's Technology Today, right? But, as inevitable as it may seem, we're not looking forward to when the machines finally get tired of washing our clothes, toasting our toast, and decide to toast us all.

But, wait. Didn't Arnie and the gang stop Judgement Day in T2? Yes? No, actually. Way to undermine the emotional legacy of the greatest action sequel of all time with a needless television spin-off.

But anyway, 'Chronicles' is actually really enjoyable, if a little preachy-cheesey. Set between the second and third films, it fills in gaps revisiting and embellishing old story threads, while creating some new ones.

We become reacquainted with some classic characters including poor old Dr Silberman (how's the knee?) and Sarah's squeeze Kyle Reese (and sibling) who join a bunch of new ones, some interesting - some not.

It's taken a critical beating, but the character progression of John and Sarah from T2 is believable and the new Terminator, Cameron is fun, well written and intriguing. The universe established by T1 & T2 is so deep that there's plenty to explore, and at times, it's very satisfying.

Don't expect too much, however, this isn't a foaming-at-the-mouth Linda Hamilton, so the purists will ask if it's really chronicling Sarah Connor at all? But still, bring on the second season.

A Blu-ray buy?

There's some quite nifty CGI, but things really haven't moved on that much since T2, which stands-up well to this day. But still, we can't wait for T2 on Blu-ray and this looks great too.

Extras

Exclusive commentary on three episodes, "Terminated" scenes, one extended episode, production featurette, audition tapes and gag reel.

Available on Blu-ray from Play.com now.

Posted by Chris Smith on 2008-08-20

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