Terminator: Genisys is admirably ambitious in how it attempts to play with the mythology of the first two classic films by altering and combining crucial plot details within the first two Terminator films while extending upon them by having the heroes travel forward, rather than backwards, in time. I also felt that Terminator: Genisys was truer to the underlying premise of said films than the third or fourth: that there is no set fate. This may have been why James Cameron was more enthusiastic about this film than he was Terminator 3, which outright obviated that premise. However, incorporating and combining plot elements from the first two films will inevitably invite comparisons to them and regrettably Terminator: Genisys is a far worse film than either.
The first problem is with the plot, despite having some interesting twists and variations on existing themes (such as the T-800 protecting rather than trying to murder Sarah Connor). The plot in the first two Terminator films was free of any plot holes. Unfortunately, the same is not true here. In this film, both the T-1000 and T-800 demonstrate capabilities that should have been beyond these models (being able to repair disabled Terminators, for example). Kyle Reese and John Connor both seem remarkably healthy, both physically and psychologically, given the inevitable trauma associated with losing family members and fighting an apocalyptic war. Plus one billion people pre-ordering an app is hard to accept.
Additionally, the plot squanders many potentially interesting devices. For instance, the T-1000 is underused and the T-5000 is barely seen. The concept of the entire Connor family fighting Skynet, or even teaching it that annihilating humanity is wrong while it is in its more suggestible child-like state, is intriguing, but is never explored. Even the idea of the villain fighting his brainwashing would have made his potential death even more poignant given his relationship with the protagonists. The differences between 1984 and 2017 are also not remarked upon as much as one would expect from two people who have just travelled forwards in time. Also, the moral hazard associated with killing a blameless child-like creature is not reflected upon by the heroes.
The direction is generally acceptable, with the viewer being able to clearly understand what is happening, but the CGI effects do not work quite as well as they did in Terminator 2. Some, like the T-3000, were indeed quite impressive but other scenes overused CGI, such as the helicopter chase, thus detracting from its believability.
The dialogue tries to pay homage to the first two films by reusing lines, but it is also marred by some inconsistencies. John, if you are more than a mere machine, how can you say that the machines will rule the world? Are you saying that you will not rule the world on account of you not being quite a machine?
The acting is a mixed bag. Arnold Schwarzenegger is a welcome addition. He is clearly no longer in his physical prime but he nonetheless adds some much needed levity to a serious film. Jai Courtney on the other hand is not great. He is physically impressive but that detracts from his credibility in the role given the travails his character endured would likely affect his physical health. Additionally, while he has some of Michael Biehn's intensity, he doesn't bring any of Biehn's humanity to the role. He simply doesn't behave like a normal human being and so lacks chemistry with the one-dimensional Clarke, who plays a generic 'strong woman'. Jason Clarke is a bit better, transitioning reasonably effectively from an affable hero into a menacing villain, but again his character seemed a little too well adjusted given what he endured. Matt Smith and Lee Byung-hun are underused, but both are purposeful and menacing in their roles. JK Simmons is just a novelty.
In the end, while I've been critical of this film, I will say that I actually enjoyed watching it despite its many faults, not least because the pacing was quite good, with action scenes intelligently being placed throughout the film. Normally I would give a film this flawed a bare passing grade on the grounds that it is at least watchable, but I admire this film's ambition in playing with the first two classic films (with some success), even though it doesn't fulfil its boundless potential. Hence, I award:
3/5 stars
The first problem is with the plot, despite having some interesting twists and variations on existing themes (such as the T-800 protecting rather than trying to murder Sarah Connor). The plot in the first two Terminator films was free of any plot holes. Unfortunately, the same is not true here. In this film, both the T-1000 and T-800 demonstrate capabilities that should have been beyond these models (being able to repair disabled Terminators, for example). Kyle Reese and John Connor both seem remarkably healthy, both physically and psychologically, given the inevitable trauma associated with losing family members and fighting an apocalyptic war. Plus one billion people pre-ordering an app is hard to accept.
Additionally, the plot squanders many potentially interesting devices. For instance, the T-1000 is underused and the T-5000 is barely seen. The concept of the entire Connor family fighting Skynet, or even teaching it that annihilating humanity is wrong while it is in its more suggestible child-like state, is intriguing, but is never explored. Even the idea of the villain fighting his brainwashing would have made his potential death even more poignant given his relationship with the protagonists. The differences between 1984 and 2017 are also not remarked upon as much as one would expect from two people who have just travelled forwards in time. Also, the moral hazard associated with killing a blameless child-like creature is not reflected upon by the heroes.
The direction is generally acceptable, with the viewer being able to clearly understand what is happening, but the CGI effects do not work quite as well as they did in Terminator 2. Some, like the T-3000, were indeed quite impressive but other scenes overused CGI, such as the helicopter chase, thus detracting from its believability.
The dialogue tries to pay homage to the first two films by reusing lines, but it is also marred by some inconsistencies. John, if you are more than a mere machine, how can you say that the machines will rule the world? Are you saying that you will not rule the world on account of you not being quite a machine?
The acting is a mixed bag. Arnold Schwarzenegger is a welcome addition. He is clearly no longer in his physical prime but he nonetheless adds some much needed levity to a serious film. Jai Courtney on the other hand is not great. He is physically impressive but that detracts from his credibility in the role given the travails his character endured would likely affect his physical health. Additionally, while he has some of Michael Biehn's intensity, he doesn't bring any of Biehn's humanity to the role. He simply doesn't behave like a normal human being and so lacks chemistry with the one-dimensional Clarke, who plays a generic 'strong woman'. Jason Clarke is a bit better, transitioning reasonably effectively from an affable hero into a menacing villain, but again his character seemed a little too well adjusted given what he endured. Matt Smith and Lee Byung-hun are underused, but both are purposeful and menacing in their roles. JK Simmons is just a novelty.
In the end, while I've been critical of this film, I will say that I actually enjoyed watching it despite its many faults, not least because the pacing was quite good, with action scenes intelligently being placed throughout the film. Normally I would give a film this flawed a bare passing grade on the grounds that it is at least watchable, but I admire this film's ambition in playing with the first two classic films (with some success), even though it doesn't fulfil its boundless potential. Hence, I award:
3/5 stars
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