Review of Terminator: Dark Fate (2019) by Jumpcut_Online — 04 Dec 2019

When the film tones it down and remembers the core messages and nightmarish situation we are faced with, it works. When Hamilton and Arnie are back together, it helps stir up relations and emotions from two decades ago as their characters clash and help tie up the films. It’s hard not to relish seeing them back together in different ways.

The opening few minutes also present some near-perfect de-aging CGI (the new Hollywood fad) that is used well and really sends chills down your spine. It sets a tone, sadly lost during the course of the film, but reminds you of what has been before and the genius of how using music, slow-motion and effective editing can work to make a Terminator a true nightmare. It’s a real shame it’s over too quickly.

Where does ‘Dark Fate’ leave the franchise? The future is not set. But with a franchise that has tried to re-invent itself nearly four times now but maintain it does have the core story at heart whilst doing it, it’s not a convincing future. The originality has gone, and repeated themes and action are getting stale and no powerhouse of acting or cast can cover up these issues and problems.