Film Review: Familiarity of ‘Terminator Genisys’ Also its Flaw

Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 1, 2015 - 10:32am

CHICAGO – The “Terminator” series means so much to so many film fans. What began as a modest sci-fi “what if?” morphed into now four sequels, billions of box office dollars, and the cementing of Arnold Schwarzenegger as an action film titan. It’s all mixed together again in “Terminator Genisys.”

Rating: 3.0/5.0

What is most enticing about a reboot of this series is the possibilities for creating a new universe tied into the Terminator legend, which the film succeeded at in some regard, and missed opportunities in other areas, like the story. What is most frustrating about the film is the co-opting of the series previous films, and re-imagining them with a less talented cast in key roles, with a mix of time lines and alternate realities that simply become a way to fix everything in every moment. Savory performances and narrative cohesiveness are lost, amid a more spectacular computer generated landscape and multiple Terminators, most of whom are portrayed by the legendary Arnold in various ages.

Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney) narrates the film prologue, telling of the 1997 Judgement Day – a nuclear war calamity – that bombed the United States into oblivion. The world plunges into a desperate war against Skynet, the company that launched the missiles, and their thinking and killing robotic machines are fighting against what ever humanity still exists. Kyle is adopted into the human resistance army by John Connor (Jason Clarke).

The ultimate battle in 2029 is on for the resistance, and moments after a big victory the soldiers realize that Skynet has sent a Terminator back to 1984 to kill John Connor’s mother Sarah (Emilia Clarke) – which was the situation of the first Terminator film. When Reese follows the Terminator to 1984, he finds the timelines have been skewered. Sarah Connor has been protected by a Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) since she was nine years old, and Judgement Day has been moved up to 2018.

”Terminator Geniys” opens everywhere on July 1st, in 3D, IMAX and regular screenings. See local listings for 3D/IMAX theaters and showtimes. Featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Clarke, Emilia Clarked, Jai Courtney, J.K. Simmons and Courtney Vance. Written by Laeta Kalogridis and Patrick Lussier. Directed by Alan Taylor. Rated “PG-13”