Review of Terminator Genisys (2015) by Mike L — 25 Nov 2017

If you thought Rise of the Machines and Salvation was the bottom of the barrel that has become the quality of the Terminator films post-T2 -- whose diminishing returns continue to drop the bar with each misguided sequel -- (hohohoho!) Genysis is not only an example of scratching the bottom of that same barrel, but smashing said bottom with a pickax, only to start digging to reach a new threshold of low.

I wish this was exaggeration. Genysis is the absolute. Worst. Terminator film. Ever. It is amalgamation of terrible and meandering plot structure -- which is being generous, considering there's barely a cohesive plot to be found throughout this film -- baffling miscasting (an enthusiastic and eager Emilia Clark being the only exception, who is anchored by a charisma-sucking Jai Courtney), and callous disregard for its own continuity.

A film so deliriously smug about its own "intelligence" that it is insulting. Not since A Sound of Thunder has a film been so lazy with its time travel logic, simply for plot contrivance. If you must see a Terminator film, watch the first two.

Heck, watch T-3 or Salvation. Just avoid this film. Nuke it from orbit.