We all know how well the movies do during depressing economic times. Ever since The Great Depression, we’ve seen that when the need for escape becomes acute, the cinema finds itself perfectly positioned. While Disney theme parks, for example, are off as much as 50 percent so far this year, the movie industry has reported a 12 percent hike in attendance and a 14 percent increase in revenue (to $2 billion).
Having said that, what could reasonably account for the box-office success of grim, futuristic flicks such as “Terminator Salvation”? Granted, gratuitous violence and ever-more special effects have their contemporary allure, but Dresden-like cityscapes and civilizational implosions as a retreat from this reality?
But at least discerning critics get to drop in lots of dystopia (imaginary place where people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives) references.