Terminator Salvation: The Ride - Six Flags Magic Mountain - Review

The key to a great roller coaster is the ability to throw the rider off kilter or at least alter expectations in a more literal way. With the introduction of the new "Terminator Salvation" wooden angle at Six Flags Magic Mountain, the element of the angle pays off.When you approach the ride which is located near the back of the park near Deja Vu, the new superstructure comes into view. The actual construction is not based on height but on the essence of stability. With the struts set almost in a fan formation, the speed of the turns can be amped up to versatile levels but doesn't beat you up in an overindulgent fashion. The dips while swift aren't too steep but the Gs aren't bound to hit you too hard either (unlike the second turn on Goliath). However it is all about perception. Overhearing three teen girls exiting the ride, their thought was that from the outside the aspect of the roller coaster is deceiving. One thought it would be "lame" as she approached it but was surprised by its "fun". And this of course is the most discerning audience.The entry way initially into the ride is a little miscommunicative but made sense after a couple times riding. The actual interactive segment of the ride doesn't happen until you enter the bunker. This is actually a new interaction on a Magic Mountain ride. The actual load process is much more steamlined also on the inside. There are a couple of vehicles from the movie and the design of the set and surrounding elements does play into the set up.Inside the bunker, a video feed on plasma screens brings up Moon Bloodgood who plays Blair Williams in the picture locked down in a location south of the 5 in Valencia. The footage was actually shot right outside where the coaster was built probably less than a couple weeks ago before opening with what looks like handheld HD cams. It very much plays to the sense of foreboding in the movie. Bloodgood (who also stars in the Salvation Machinima Series [Check Ep. 1 HERE) is being led by the character Barnes played by Common who activates different security cams inside the park to scan the parameter. Leading up to the boarding of the rollercoaster you are led through three chambers.Though the ride moves fast in the day, its real possibility comes at dusk with the lamp lights glowing and a fire spew on a turn 3/4s through the ride. The execution is short but when you are boarding at various times, the track for the actual ride zooms straight through the room which seems to catch everyone off guard. "Terminator Salvation" is deceiving to the eye but grows on its merits.On a side note, also new in the park is the Mat Hoffman's Death Defying Daredevils Show featuring an array of different X athletes. It is split between motored bikes, skateboards and BMX tricks. One of the highlights is Lyn-z Adams Hawkins, a world class skateboarder who was recently featured in the Tony Hawk video game "Project 8".Also of note is Zack Warden who performed a full flip on his BMX on the half pipe. The most death defying though had to be the Globe Of Death Moto team which included the announcer Gary who got in to the steel death ball with no zooming motorbikes and emerged unscathed. But then on the next stunt, he got inside the very small round steel cage with a motorbike of his own and performed the same stunt with three bikes. Quite impressive. The show definitely up the ante and the fact of being able to show some of these things in such a compacted space was a treat and the crowd reacted quite favorably,Six Flags Magic Mountain always has new angles playing as well as old favorites. Even a couple years in, X2 still thrills with nighttime fire and music to heat the night. But this summer, "Terminator Salvation: The Ride" is the new kid on the block, the one you don't see coming.