TERMINATOR GENISYS

The Terminator franchise has always leaned on that one movie, Judgment Day. That magic has never been recreated once James Cameron left that franchise. They tried twice and the results were not that great, especially when they left Arnold out of the mix. Now, Arnold is back and that is reason enough to catch Terminator Genisys in theaters. For all of us 90s kids, the word Terminator is pure nostalgia of being thrilled, of being in touch with the golden standard for Hollywood action films in those days.

Terminator Genisys takes the same yarn that started the Terminator franchise, ‘The war against machines’, and spins it in a new more complex fashion. The characters are the same, Sarah Connor, John Connor and the Model 101, not to forget Genisys and Skynet. This time, we have a new guy introduced, Kyle Reese.

Terminator works on two things, Arnold’s unmatched screen presence and the incessant action. It has

always been simple, there is a good robot, there is a bad robot, there is John Connor to protect and there is plenty of one-on-one fights between the robots. It was that simple. The home stretch of the film began very early and then it was full throttle to the finish, and we loved that full throttle action fest.

The new makers however have abandoned that simple straight approach. They have introduced multiple time travel loops, dual timelines and memory, complex game plans by the humans and Genisys. You can detect a bit of Nolanequeness in the time travel and dual timeline concepts. While introducing complexity and layers to the story is good, it must not overshadow the traditional strength of the franchise. In Terminator Genisys, one feels that the writing has done some damage to the traditional strengths of the franchise. It is more than an hour into the movie and you still cannot fully understand what is happening! You do not know who is really in the present and who has jumped timelines, and sadly you haven’t yet figured out who is the ‘bad’ robot! Consequently, the ‘home stretch’ of action is not a very long one, but while it lasts, it is pretty much fun.

One thing you can always love about the Terminator franchise is Arnold Schwarzenegger. Never mind the age, no one can occupy the screen like he does, and that is why there is no replacing the Terminator. He was never an action hero who jumped high or ran fast, he simply smashed things in front of him, carried the heavy guns and smoked everyone. So, the age really doesn’t affect the kind of action he is required to do. His charisma is in tact and that carries Terminator Genisys too. The script has a few signature Arnold moments, including the iconic “I’ll be back’ moment, but one feels they could have infused a bit more. After all, that is the single biggest USP of the Terminator franchise.

Jason Clarke has a pretty complex character to portray and one can sense he is a bit confused about

how to do it. Emilia Clarke and Jal Courtney have regular action movie roles and they carry them off without fuss. But, you know who the movie rides on. There are witty dialogues at regular intervals that keep you amused and there are a few surprises here and there in the script. But, the biggest surprise doesn’t really shock or jolt you, which is a major let down in the script! The really formidable looking ‘bad’ robot is finished far too early in the movie and it takes a long time before another really strong ‘bad’ guy really arrives, and one rally doesn’t feel he is that formidable.

Having said that, the final action set piece is enjoyable, Arnold is in his usually unflappable element and it all ends pretty well. But, you have had your fair share of plane sailing by then. Terminator is still ‘cool’, but the writing of Terminator Genisys blows hot and cold and the ‘bad’ robot doesn’t appear nearly as menacing as the shape shifter from Judgment Day. Summing up, watch Terminator Genisys for Arnold, but it doesn’t give you as much excitement as Judgment Day. Wish the writers had kept things simple. But, one thing, Arnie’s still got the chops to carry an entire action movie on his huge shoulders.

Too complex and too little adrenaline, yet Arnold saves things!

2.5/5