Grade: 3.5/5
Went to see the latest installment of the Terminator franchise with medium sized expectations but was pleasantly surprised that it got super-sized! Regurgitating the same story again and again can get tricky and somewhat risky but this one finally got it right. I can’t even remember how many Terminator movies came in between Terminator 2 (T2) and this but none were worthy of any mention…until this one.
If you were a fan of the first two Terminator movies, you should watch. The smartest thing the makers did was to begin this movie where T2 left off – essentially making the “in betweeners” irrelevant. Terminator: Dark Fate is the true T3! It is a pop corn action packed thrill ride with a solid story. Both Linda Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger reprise their roles from T2 as Sarah Connor and T800 respectively, both have shown that age is clearly ageless. They are ofcourse older but the director has used them perfectly and they fit into their roles with aplomb. Arnold at his best with his one liners and Linda Hamilton as buff as ever and means total business.
Another positive from the movie was that they used CGI in a way that was advanced without going overboard (unlike latest editions of the Star Wars franchise which went CGI overload to their detriment). This kept the original feel of the first two Terminator movies in tact.
Movie opens with quite a shocking scene that grabs your attention immediately. Two new characters from the future are sent back in time to target Dani (a future commander) – one to save her and one to kill her. The action then begins and Arnold makes an entrance about halfway through the movie. Won’t reveal anymore of the plot. If I have to play devil’s advocate – one criticism might be that there are too many action sequences but it’s all done very well and keeps you engaged.
Side Note: Please see Arnold Schwarzenegger’s appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel Live show on Nov 1st. He was engaging, funny and a total riot. Some very interesting stories and anecdotes of his past – my favorite one being how he punk’d Sly Stallone. Attached is the link: https://youtu.be/8fbcpnmA9M0
Bottom line – if you enjoy fast and furious type movies with a Terminator added in – you will enjoy this. Do you need to see the first two Terminators to enjoy this one? Answer is a tentative “yes” but not a necessity – it would make watching the movie a more satisfying experience.
