Terminator Genisys Movie Review
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If you’ve seen the original Terminator (1984) then there’s a good chance that there’s a scene or two ingrained into your memory, most of which include Arnold Schwarzenegger. Well good news, Terminator Genisys is here. There’s a very good chance that your brain will be peppered by memorable quotes and actions from Ahhhnold as he reprises (arguably) the most famous role of his career. Director Alan Taylor hopes to drop the (Thor) hammer and put some distance between his vision and the last two less-than-stellar attempts at revitalizing the franchise (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Terminator Salvation).
Terminator Genisys is one of those movies where you might be less confused if it was the first movie of the franchise that you’ve ever seen. For those that are familiar with the previous movies it’s somewhat of a trip down memory lane with some serious deviations. The end of the war against the machines is approaching, if what John Connor (Jason Clarke) foresees comes to fruition. Now the key to victory is to send one of John’s best soldiers back into the past to put an end to Skynet once and for all. This soldier is none other than Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney), who is briefed on what he’ll be facing once returning to the earlier timeline. As it turns out, things are not what he expects at all. This revelation all starts with his first run in with John’s mother, Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke). She is an experienced fighter as opposed to the delicate little wallflower that Kyle thought he was coming to protect. That’s not the only shocking thing that Kyle learns. The very T-800 model that Kyle came back to hunt, or so he thinks, is fighting by Sarah’s side as her “Guardian,” although it is considerably older looking than Kyle expected.
With as much familiarity as there is with the storyline there are also many parts that are different. This was a very refreshing take. Why reinvent the wheel? Director Alan Taylor does a respectable job using the story that was already there in order to branch out and viewers down a different road. Arnold Schwarzenegger was allowed to bring more humor to his character and it really worked. As one of the more clichéd actors in Hollywood, Schwarzenegger has a lot to work with in Terminator Genisys. Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney and Jason Clarke all did decent jobs with their acting but the performances are by no means memorable.
Obviously there was an abundance of CGI throughout Terminator Genisys in order to pull everything together. Success! The earlier version of the T-800 in the Arnold Schwarzenegger mold was uncanny. Other special effects that were more of the traditional variety (non-CGI) came off as impressive as well. The stunt team was on point in this action packed thrill ride.
Even with its flaws, Terminator Genisys is an enjoyable summer experience and this fact should be reflected with a more than decent audience turnout over the long holiday weekend. Schwarzenegger is still a box office draw and the movie itself is one that most audiences are familiar with. Keeping the rating at PG-13 will also bring in a wider audience. Anything short of an impressive box office draw could spell hasta la vista once and for all.
Terminator Genisys is one of those movies where you might be less confused if it was the first movie of the franchise that you’ve ever seen. For those that are familiar with the previous movies it’s somewhat of a trip down memory lane with some serious deviations. The end of the war against the machines is approaching, if what John Connor (Jason Clarke) foresees comes to fruition. Now the key to victory is to send one of John’s best soldiers back into the past to put an end to Skynet once and for all. This soldier is none other than Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney), who is briefed on what he’ll be facing once returning to the earlier timeline. As it turns out, things are not what he expects at all. This revelation all starts with his first run in with John’s mother, Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke). She is an experienced fighter as opposed to the delicate little wallflower that Kyle thought he was coming to protect. That’s not the only shocking thing that Kyle learns. The very T-800 model that Kyle came back to hunt, or so he thinks, is fighting by Sarah’s side as her “Guardian,” although it is considerably older looking than Kyle expected.
With as much familiarity as there is with the storyline there are also many parts that are different. This was a very refreshing take. Why reinvent the wheel? Director Alan Taylor does a respectable job using the story that was already there in order to branch out and viewers down a different road. Arnold Schwarzenegger was allowed to bring more humor to his character and it really worked. As one of the more clichéd actors in Hollywood, Schwarzenegger has a lot to work with in Terminator Genisys. Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney and Jason Clarke all did decent jobs with their acting but the performances are by no means memorable.
Obviously there was an abundance of CGI throughout Terminator Genisys in order to pull everything together. Success! The earlier version of the T-800 in the Arnold Schwarzenegger mold was uncanny. Other special effects that were more of the traditional variety (non-CGI) came off as impressive as well. The stunt team was on point in this action packed thrill ride.
Even with its flaws, Terminator Genisys is an enjoyable summer experience and this fact should be reflected with a more than decent audience turnout over the long holiday weekend. Schwarzenegger is still a box office draw and the movie itself is one that most audiences are familiar with. Keeping the rating at PG-13 will also bring in a wider audience. Anything short of an impressive box office draw could spell hasta la vista once and for all.
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