Better than 'Genesis' but worse than 'Terminator 2'

Specialists say the latest ‘Terminator‘ film, ‘Dark Fate’, is the closest to the good times. The second film, with a good T-800, another qualified Terminator chasing the human who will save the species, and Sarah Connor, played by Linda Hamilton almost three decades after leaving the franchise, is especially anticipated.

Despite appearances, ‘Dark Fate’ is far from reaching the heights of that milestone of commercial cinema of the nineties, but it also falls short of measuring itself against other installments, valued less generously by fans of the series, such as the third part or ‘Terminator: Genesis’ a few years ago.

Let’s look at all of them and put ‘Dark Fate’ in its proper place: why can’t it match the first sequel’s box-office smash? Are all the subsequent ones that bad? The new movie about future androids that kill us is set here.

I can criticize Terminator 2: Judgment Day, one of the most beloved films of its generation. Its proposed clash of androids from the future to condemn humanity is no match for the first installment, which is infinitely more concise, direct, and forceful. The first sequel docilely turned the implacable Terminator into a future nanny, distorting the original film’s nice paradox of time travel.

The first sequel is full of iconic moments, revolutionary special effects that still work today, and the introduction of the liquid metal T-1000, whose income the series still relies on. It also maintains the (almost) straight-line chase structure from the first part, despite its excesses. Despite its age, including the soundtrack, it is still a powerful action and adventure film.

Unfortunately, ‘Terminator 2’ relegated science fiction to the anecdotal, a sin that was partially washed away in the superb ‘Terminator 3’, perhaps the saga’s black sheep and the most unfairly valued in its day. It builds on the first installment with action scenes (the crane, the terminator fight) and a final section that pays homage to literary science fiction tropes and codes.

The first trilogy is the franchise’s foundation, but fans may argue that ‘Terminator 3’ is the worst because it is not a worthy successor to the second. Time has changed things, and ‘Terminator: Salvation’ (2009) and ‘Terminator: Genesis‘ (2015) were disasters that redeemed the original trilogy’s ending.

In 2018, after the machines have won, John Connor prepares to lead the resistance against the machines in ‘Terminator: Salvation’, breaking away from the plot repetitions of the first two sequels and taking advantage of the rich lore in comics and video games. Though hasty and overdramatic, it has some good visual ideas and a good batch of new and “primitive” terminators.

‘Genesis’ was a failed attempt to revive the franchise with a film as good as the second. The production was difficult and the script was a mess, with companies going bankrupt at the worst time and rights wars. With Emilia Clarke as Sarah Connor and Schwarzenegger’s better performance than in ‘Dark Fate’, it’s mindless entertainment. Unfortunately, plot twists have messed up the franchise’s timeline, forcing a reboot.

The biggest I want and can’t of the saga is ‘Dark Fate’
Where does the new installment fit? Those nostalgic for the good old days (who consider War of the Machines a disgrace) are cheering Cameron, who once again has creative control, albeit nominally: the story is his and he’s a producer, but little else. Linda Hamilton, Schwarzenegger (who never left), and the good Terminator (now a human with enhanced abilities) face the bad Terminator, more powerful and versatile than ever.

Better than ‘Genesis’ but worse than ‘Terminator 2’

By ki0nk

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