geek'd
Hollywood continues to rely on the less than successful strategy of rebooting our favorites, and Terminator Genisys is no different. Cameron’s original is a classic.The T2 sequel set a new standard for sequels and VFX. But all other efforts in this franchise have been mediocre. This one, while having some bright spots, sadly doesn’t live up to the summer hype machine. And when a film like this borrows so much from those original films, you are going to pale in comparison. Things we liked? Emilia Clarke as Sarah Connor is inspired casting. And of course there is Arnold. Arnold can do no wrong. He owns this character. He is the Terminator. JK Simmons adds some comic relief and steals the show – a welcome addition. But the rest of the cast leaves a bland taste. Jai Courtney as Kyle Reese? C’mon! No charisma. No desperation. What happened to that skinny, starving street rat with as much determination and passion to save Sarah Connor as his original cyborg enemy had to kill her? Instead, he’s more of a hinderance than a help. And John Connor’s presence is… confusing. The first half of the pic was interesting, but once we are taken into new territory, the flimsy premise just doesn’t hold up under its own weight.
For all of its hits and mostly misses, we’d have to chalk this up to an average night at the movies. Which is too bad, since the time travel storyline and the close story connection to 1984 had so much potential.
