​FILMS

terminator genisys

2015 review number 96:

Terminator Genisys: (Science Fiction/Action): 73 out of 100: This is the fifth Terminator in the series and the first one featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger in 12 years. Since he has returned to Hollywood after an eight year stint as the Governor of California, he hasn't starred in any box office hits with some of his movies even going straight to DVD in Australia. It's fantastic to have him back in the series for the previous instalment, Terminator Salvation, didn't seem to be like a Terminator movie without Arnie in it. Schwarzenegger might be old but he is not obsolete. (You'll understand this reference when you see the movie).

 

John Connor (Jason Clarke), the leader of the human resistance, sends Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney) in a time machine back to 1984 to protect Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke) and safeguard the future. When Reese arrives in 1984, he finds a fractured timeline where Sarah Connor is no longer the cafe waitress she once was and now able to kick butt herself. She also has a guardian in the shape and form of the original Terminator T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger). Together they must fast forward to the future to prevent certain events from happening, otherwise this fractured timeline will continue forever.

 

If you think the plot summary is confusing, wait till you hear some of the dialogue. Some of it is extremely technical and doesn't make complete sense especially as the history and future of this world are being rewritten. It seems all logic is out the window when past events from the previous Terminator movies are neglected. One element that the dialogue maintains is the wisecracks provided by Schwarzenegger's character. These lines add to the fun and enjoyment of this movie.

 

Most of the visual effects are of the CGI variety. This is not such a bad thing as it enables director Alan Taylor to make a big budget spectacle that needs to be seen on the big screen. The accompanying grand sound effects do justice to the scintillating visuals. One highlight is the battle between the original Terminator with the new Terminator. A fight between Arnie and Arnie couldn't happen without CGI. Be mindful however that there are some dark scenes which would probably render 3D useless.

 

Nobody can replace Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor as she was the ultimate tough girl chick. Emilia Clarke tries her best but comes across more as damsel in distress than fighting warrior. The two Australians in the cast in Jason Clarke and Jai Courtney portray their characters with vim and vigour, and demonstrate to the world why Aussies can be relied on to star in Hollywood productions. This movie though belongs to Schwarzenegger and he shows that even at the age of 67, he can still do most of his own stunts and that he can still appeal with his deadpan delivery to appease the Schwarzenegger admirers, like myself. Oscar winner J.K. Simmons has a small role and doesn't light up the screen like he did with his Oscar winning performance in Whiplash.

 

The Terminator signature theme can be heard occasionally with the new tunes provided by Lorne Balfe, adding to the overall mood of the film. The theme is as part of the furniture as Arnold Schwarzenegger is. Everything old is new again!

 

If you're not a fan of the Terminator series, you won't be converted. Don't worry if you haven't seen the other films in the series as key events have been rewritten anyway, meaning that what has happened before is no longer substantial in this installment. Judging by the critical reaction to this latest chapter, you would think that it is an unworthy addition, but for audiences who enjoy popcorn entertainment, you will experience an enjoyable two hours that will fly by.

 

Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney, Jason Clarke and J.K. Simmons

(126 minutes)

Parental advice: Coarse language and violence

Additional scene during or after credits: (Spoiler alert): Wait about 90 seconds into the credits and you'll see that the Skynet program hasn't been totally destroyed as you see a hologram of it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGSxss7gWak (Movie trailer)

(Reviewed on Saturday 4th July, 2015)

 

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