rhoda
Rating: 2/5 Stars
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger (Guardian, The Terminator T-800), Brett Azar (Young T-800 and young Guardian), Jason Clarker (John Connor), Emilia Clarke (Sarah Connor), Jai Courtney (Kyle Reese), and J.K. Simmons (Detective O’Brien)
Director: Alan Taylor
Synopsis: In this 5th Terminator Film, John Connor sends Kyle back in 1984 to save his mother, Sarah. When Kyle arrives, he realises that Sarah does not need to be rescued though as she’s already battle-hardened and ready to destroy the Skynet. It turns out that Sarah was trained by the Terminator and the trio travel to the future where they discover Genisys, an artificial intelligence formed to destroy humanity.
Review:
Terminator 1 which was initially released back in 1984 and it left a famous line that lingers until today –‘I’ll be back.’ It has been 31 years and who would have thought that Terminator would keep that promise until it has left nothing more than its nostalgic appeal! Devoid of narrative quality, Terminator Genisys is the fifth film in the series that provides a retcon interpretation of the previously established story.
The film toggles between the past and the future. John Connor discovers that his mother Sarah may be in danger so he sends Kyle to rescue her. Kyle arrives back in 1984 but after T-1000 attacked him, Sarah and T-800, a reprogrammed cyberdine systems model appeared just in time to save his life. Schwarzenegger still does not disappoint in his role as a cyborg and though his age is noticeable in this film, it just proves that his star quality won’t ever vanish.
Schwarzenegger plays the role of The Guardian. As Sarah and Kyle transports back to 2017, the Judgement Day, he spends 33 years for their arrival which eventually culminates when he rescues John shortly after Sarah and Kyle’s emergence in a busy road. John later reveals his transformation as T-3000 while Sarah and Kyle move on to destroy the Genisys – an application designed to destroy humanity. The film ultimately ends by giving the viewers a peek into possible sequels.
Terminator Genisys is not a failure of performance. The cast undeniably delivers a set of acting skills fit for a film with a PG-13 rating that clearly limits its full potential. Unlike the extreme violence and hard-core action that followers have been accustomed to during its early history, Terminator Genisys has failed to explore the thrill that can only be indulged if not trapped in a permissive rating.
Director Alan Taylor who worked on Game of Thrones and Thor: The Dark World has ensured sophistication in his directing prowess. The well-crafted scenes that could effortlessly remind you of its glorious days are visible in appropriate sequence – that is, until the story pulls away from the bold depiction of its predecessor.
Sequels and franchises are supposed to outshine its past and not bank on the success that had already been established and seen. We thought we have seen enough of the nostalgic appeal that carried from last month’s release of Jurassic World, how disappointing that films like these keep coming back without an actual promise of new entertainment.
Jason Harris
Rob Jefchak
