Review of Terminator Genisys (2015) by Anthony F — 09 Jul 2016

On a rainy day, if I had choice between watching Terminator: Salvation and Terminator: Genisys (no, really. that's how they've spelled it), I'd choose Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines...which really isn't saying much.

Since this movie barely tries to justify its endless plot twists, and doesn't even bother explaining some at all, I'm skipping the story breakdown altogether here. Why even try when the filmmakers abandon their villain halfway through the picture and try to create a new one out of a hero during the last quarter? I can't believe I just typed that sentence, but that's exactly what happens.

Seriously, I don't even know where to begin with this outrageous scrap heap. When I first heard that a Terminator prequel trilogy was in the works back in 2008, I was intrigued. I was interested to see the events play out post-judgement day and eventually lead into the first movie.

Time travel is fun like that, especially when it's handled intelligently like in the first two films. 2009's resulting Terminator: Salvation was so poorly executed, I barely even remember it. The late Anton Yelchin's take on the young Kyle Reese was the sole bright spot in that otherwise tepid, CG overloaded disaster.

This second attempt at trying to revitalize the franchise is somehow even worse. Arnold's shocking (albeit welcome) return to the fold barely even registers (cashing it in? try phoning it in). The otherwise talented Emilia Clarke tries her best to conjure Linda Hamilton, but it's embarrassing to watch someone so talented try so hard in a project like this.

Hollywood lost sight of the potential of this series years ago. In just 2 movies, they've managed to reduce a solid science fiction concept to the likes of Freddy and Jason. This may not be the worst movie ever made, but it's easily the worst time travel movie ever made.

I'm done. Thank god that The Terminator and T2 still look great, sound great and feel as timeless as they do. This franchise tumor doesn't even come close.