The Terminator franchise has been as relentless and unstoppable as the series namesake. The first two films written and directed by James Cameron are cinematic icons and made many of the ten best lists when they were released.
The subsequent two films that lacked any input from Cameron and as such paled in comparison with the most recent, “Terminator Salvation” failing to achieve the success of the previous films in the series.
Undaunted, the series is back with “Terminator Genisys”, the first in a planned trilogy before the rights to the series revert back to James Cameron.
The new film shows parts of the final battle by the human resistance as they finally defeat the deadly Skynet system but as fans of the series know, learn that a Terminator was sent back to stop humanities savior John Connor (Jason Clarke), from being born.
As fans known, loyal soldier Kyle Reese (jai Courtney) volunteers to travel back to 1984 to save Sara Connor (Emilia Clarke) and preserve the future but upon his arrival in 1984, Reese learns that the mission he has been sent on has changed.
Someone has sent a Terminator back to protect a younger Sarah when she was a child and as such, this Sara is not the naïve waitress Reese had been expecting, rather she is a battle hardened and strong willed woman with a Terminator protector she named “Pops” played by series icon Arnold Schwarzenegger.
This is where any similarities to the original films end as what initially sets up to be moments from the first two films revisited in a new timeline quickly changes and moves to 2017 where Sara, Reese, and Pops, learn that Skynet is about to go live and accomplish the start of Judgement Day which puts the heroes in a race against time and overwhelming odds to save humanity.
This time however there are several new wrinkles to the mix as well as some epic action sequences that have been sorely missing from the series since Cameron’s departure. The 3D effects are solid but note that they are converted from a 2D source and the film was not shot with 3D cameras.
What really worked well for me was the fact that the film is very respectful to the source material and while telling a new chapter to the story does not do much to undermine the impact and the legacy of the first two films. It was reported that James Cameron himself has endorsed this film and had called it the third film in the series.
The action is solid from an epic bus chase to intense firefights across the timelines the film grabs your attention the way the best summer films do and takes you on an epic thrill ride. Action and effects aside, what really makes the film work is the cast. The characters are strong and well portrayed and mix humanity, empathy, and self-sacrifice in the manner to which the characters have been established.
Reese and Sara are strong and determined and in a twist, have a more complicated relationship in this timeline than had been previously established. Of course the star of the film is Schwarzenegger and he knows this character inside and out. From the stoic and intense action sequences to the rivalry and distrust he and Reese share which grows into a solid respect. Arnold knows what audiences want and delivers it again and again. Despite the years, he still remains the backbone of the series and it is great to see him back in form.
While some may have issues with a rebooted timeline to propel future films, there were enough great moments in the film and plenty of entertainments for me not only to recommend the film, but to say bring on the next chapter.
4 stars out of 5
By Joseph K. Saulnier
It’s the year of reboots, so why not bring back the franchise made famous by the second movie, and then thought to be lost forever after the fourth installment. What could possibly go wrong? Well, surprisingly, a lot but it didn’t. James Cameron has been quoted as saying that this should have been the fourth film in the franchise, and I can’t say I disagree.
Terminator Genisys seems like it is going to tell the same story as the first movie in the series, but with more of a focus on Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney). The movie starts with a short recap of what the Terminator universe is about, and it’s told by Kyle Reese. We see him rescued as a boy by John Connor (Jason Clarke), and work quickly to the point where Kyle is sent back in time to protect Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke). However, just as Reese is being sent through time, he sees Alex (Matt Smith), one of their own, attacking John. And when he arrives, it’s into an unrecognizable 1984. Sarah Connor has already been in contact with a terminator, Pops (Arnold Schwarzenegger), since the age of 9, and she is not the fragile diner waitress Reese was expecting. Things slowly start to become clear, and they all realize that the timeline has changed and Judgement Day has been pushed forward in time from its original 1997 date. Now Kyle and Sarah must travel forward in time to 2017 to stop Genisys, aka Skynet, from launching. But when they arrive, they encounter John Connor and things get really strange.
Okay, so first, it’s extremely difficult to make any type of movie involving time travel that isn’t just riddled with plot holes. Genisys is no exception. As long as you are willing to accept this fact, you will enjoy this film. Genisys does a great job at reinventing the series, with many references and throwbacks to the original films (all but Salvation), and actually finds a way to introduce a new Terminator model that is fresh and original. Arnold does a surprisingly bang-up job (pun intended) of holding his own with the younger John Clarke, and the explanation of why Pops looks so old doesn’t leave you cringing. The humor in the movie was subtle at points, and not overdone as so many action films try to do today, which will really helped keep the flow of the movie going. Matt Smith, of Doctor Who fame, played a small but pivotal role in the film, and it will be great to see him return for the sequels to (hopefully) take on a larger part (he is already confirmed for two more movies). Emilia Clarke has been great in everything that I have seen her in, and this movie is no exception, as she steps into the Sarah Connor role with ease. A very welcome member of the supporting cast is J.K. Simmons, a character actor who I am convinced can take on any role he wants.
There is plenty of action in the movie, and almost a little too much emphasis on the fact that the fights are between robots. We get it, they are heavy and will cause a lot of damage, but it did go a little overboard sometimes. But surprisingly, the action was not overboard. There were some great sequences, and scenes, but I didn’t feel that same sense of dread watching this film as I have on some recent action films that it is just too much (i.e., Furious 7, though much of the over the top stunt work in that is intentionally over the top for the type of film it is). The bus sequence was done very well, and even the final conflict between Reese, Sarah, John and Pops is very eloquent in the way it is portrayed.
All in all, go see this movie. I wanted to say that if anything, you will be the current heat wave we are experiencing in the Pacific Northwest, but the movie itself is worth seeing even if it weren’t so blistering hot outside. Plot holes aside, there is a lot of great action, and it changes the entire universe the previous films have set up in a very poetic way. Be sure to stick around for the mid-credit scene, too. Definitely something I will be picking upon its home release.
3.5 stars out of 5
