Terminator Genisys

Review By: John Delia

The movie Terminator Genisys surprises with top quality special effects, continuous action scenes and a welcome return of Arnold.  The storyline may be a little complicated if you are trying to piece together the previous four outings, but take a deep breath and just go to enjoy the shape shifting time traveling bots that deliver chaos wherever they appear.  If you are an action junkie and want an adrenaline rush, go see the newest edition of John Connor’s attempt to take down the spy in the sky that lead to annihilation of billons on the planet.

I won’t even attempt to sort out the storyline, but I can help those who have no idea what The Terminator series is all about. In The Terminator (the first of the series) we were introduced to John Connor (now played by Jason Clarke) who in the future has been fighting off an army of machines that under the guidance of Skynet rule the broken world. In order to end the ongoing fight between the remaining humans and the new world order, someone must be sent back from the future to 1984. There they must contact Sarah Connor (now played by Emilia Clarke) who has the key to shutting down Skynet before it can take over the world and thus change the war torn future.

In Terminator Genisys the action starts immediately with cities being blown to bits as Skynet launches ICBM missiles. The special effects and computer generated mayhem is jaw dropping in 3D making it look very real. Much like the recent San Andres film, California’s Los Angeles and San Francisco get devastated from the blasts. The roller coaster ride continues as the film flashes forward to John Connor’s army that is trying to shut down Skynet’s continuous battle then returns to 1984 where Sarah Connor, newly arrived Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney) and Sara’s protector “Pops” (Arnold Schwarzenegger), a Cyborg Terminator, are battling a T-1000 robot. In between the two dimensions of time we are treated to exciting chases, narrow escapes, a plethora of gun battles and massive destruction.

So there you have it. Terminator Genisys delivers as promised from their trailers and if you like a LOT of explosive action then this film certainly fits the bill. As for acting ability, Emilia Clarke (“Game of Thrones”) is certainly nice to look at, but shy of being called an action attraction.  Jai Courtenay really doesn’t fit the character of Kyle Reece sorry to say, but he does an adequate job of keeping the film on track.  As for Arnold, what can I say? He’s Arnold. And if you missed it in the first Terminator film, he uses his iconic phrase once more, “I’ll be back.” Tough as nails, the guy still moves around the screen with his stern Cyborg stare, pumped up biceps, deltoids and upper abdominal muscles.

Terminator Genysis has been rated PG – 13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and gunplay throughout, partial nudity and brief strong language. Not for pre-teens the film has copious amounts of peril displayed on the screen.

FINAL ANALYSIS: For action junkies only. (B)