Movie Review: Terminator Genesis

Courtesy: Paramount Pictures/Skydance Productions

Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Emile Clarke, Jason Clarke, and Byung Hun-Lee

Directed by Alan Taylor

Rated PG13

My Rating: ****/5

More than thirty years have passed since "The Terminator" first graced theater screens. The tale of the machines fighting humanity to near-extinction in a post-apocalyptic world has undergone several films as well as a diverse expanded universe of other media. The series arguably reached its peak with 1991's "Terminator 2: Judgment Day"; which sent the benchmark in terms of storytelling and special effects. Despite 2003's "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" being a solid follow-up; 2009's "Terminator Salvation" infamously killed the franchise due to the liberties taken with the series' mythology and the controversial decisions director Joseph "McG" Nichol made as a director. Now, in 2015; the franchise is attempting a soft reboot with "Terminator Genesis."

Even though the film is closely modeled after James Cameron's first two films; the film plays on the events in the entire mythos in a manner that has many twists and turns in this 119-minute reimagining of one of the most beloved science fiction series ever.

The main selling point of the film; however, is easily the return of Arnold Schwarzenegger as the T-101. The film not only handles his age in an amusing and surprisingly poignant manner; but leads with his character dispatching the much-derided CG double of himself in Salvation with ease. This is one of many thunderous action scenes that Alan Taylor has invested the $170 million budget of the film on. Despite Taylor's only prior film credit being 2013's "Thor: The Dark World" (much of his background was in television directing prior to that film); he makes great use of the bleak future after Judgment Day as well as at least three alternate timelines of past films (the settings of 1984, 1997; and the near future of 2017 are all given distinct visual styles to help update the series for a new generation as well as pay homage to its lineage).

As such, the film delivers plenty of bang for its buck. The special effects are top-notch; and there are many spectacular action scenes at hand. The chase on the Golden Gate bridge has an actual school bus flipped into the water and destroyed; and the climactic final battle at Cyberdyne Systems is worthy of the one in "T2" (which remains the best entry in the franchise).

The most notable flaw is the same one that doomed "Salvation:" the PG13 rating. While the lack of blood in many of the action scenes is not terribly conspicuous; the edits to obscure the nudity are fairly obvious. This "Austin Powers" like method of obscuring body parts generated some unintentional laughs at the theater where I saw this film. While not as damaging to the story as it was in "Salvation;" it neuters a lot of potential in a series well-known for its dark tone and speculative fiction about the future.

That said, "Terminator Genesis;" despite not being as good as the films it emulates; is a significant improvement over "Terminator Salvation" and helps reestablish solid footing for a planned trilogy. As the film is one of many offerings on display for 4th of July weekend; I can easily recommend a straight line to the box office to experience this "new mission and new fate."