Review of Terminator Genisys (2015) by Richard V — 01 Jul 2016

A movie so reviled that a planned trilogy was scrapped. Did I hate the movie? No, not at all. In fact, this is the best Terminator since James Cameron's original two-part triumph. But let's be honest: the bar was set extremely low by Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines and Terminator Salvation, and this movie isn't perfect. In fact, it probably would have fared better if it was an original film.

There are some negatives, of course: The idea of an app called "Genisys" sounds stupid, plus the idea of a killer app is such a heavy-handed approach, it borders the absurd. JK Simmons is basically wasted as the detective who knows the truth behind what's going on.

But the positives are there as well: The CGI and action scenes are pleasing (though, it made me wish for a return to practical effects more than ever), Arnold is in true form, and this is the first film where I didn't hate Jai Courtney. Jason Clarke - without giving away too much - is great as well. I also can appreciate that they changed the formula and tried something different, including a clever personification of Skynet as a primary villain (though it would have been nicer if he was less of a one-dimensional villain and more of a rounded out robotic villain).

In short, it's an entertaining popcorn film that you'll enjoy mindlessly.