Terminator: Dark Fate - Review by @Kush_Hayes
I like when Hollywood says “Yeah, that wasnt good. Lets do this again, but better.” I just wish there was a way to prevent even that. Terminator: Dark Fate, the sixth entry into the Terminator franchise is actually the better version of the third entry, Terminator: Rise of the Machines. Sure, in 2003, there was no way to predict that this might be better to sit on for 16 years, just like its impossible to know if theres a good movie to be made in this or any franchise in 2035. And sometimes that doesnt always work - example: this summers 14th entry into the XMen franchise, the remake of X-Men The Last Stand: Dark Phoenix.
After the problems we faced during and at the end of Terminator: Genesys, a sour taste was left in everyones mouth. Fans forgave Rise of the Machines, because Judgement Day was just that strong. Not everyone liked what Salvation had offered in terms of a sequel/prequel - even if is underrated in my opinion. But everyone agreed that the shenanigans in Genesys was confusing and unnecessary. Having laid that foundation down, the premise, promotional stills and eventual first trailer of this film, Dark Fate, would only come out laughable and cringey. And while the dialog in this movie is all cringe, theres a fun, entertaining action extravaganza in this film.
Again, going back and ignoring the events of Rise of the Machines, we find that Judgement Day has still been prevented, however, Skynet sent out more Terminators than anyone had thought. This is a premise borrowed from the old Dark Horse and NOW Comics of the 1990s, as well as the TV series The Sarah Conner Chronicles. And unlike those adventures, we see the assassination of John Conner take place with a Terminator unaware his future is no longer yet still carrying out orders. While this scene is brief, it is still powerful and you have to be in awe of this digital Lazarus program Hollywood now is using more of and talking less about because Linda Hamilton looks like she did in 1998. And the guy the got to stand in for an 18 year old John Conner, they made him look dead on like young Edward Furlong. Assuming it wasnt him already.
We meet our hero and protagonist, who are still naked in time travel, yet for some reason the engineer behind their transport put them both in the worst places. Mackenzie Davis’ Grace travels through a bridge, and Gabriel Lunas Rev-9 gets to free fall 4 stories. One of these lands better than the other. Both made of cybernetic parts still. Its a strange intro as Grace assaults 4 Mexican National police officers, and then robs a couple for their clothes, while the Rev-9 practices good manners, including “please” and “thank you” while absorbing clothes to cover its processed shame.
After meeting out successor to The Chosen One of the future, Dani Ramos, we get a great action scene right off the top between Grace and the Rev9. The action in this should all be unbelievable, but I found the way Tim Miller directed the scenes to be the right combination of dramatic and exciting and satisfying.
After our first encounter with the Rev 9 our heroes are dead to rights when Sarah Conner, recaptured by Linda Hamilton doing a Clint Eastwood impression saves them. During exposition she explains after John died, she started receiving anonymous messages with exact times and coordinates detailing other Terminators that Sarah has been destroying every two years or so… despite Skynet no longer being a thing. Grace is able to hack her phone and find out the location of these anonymous tips are coming from. Its coming from coordinates that are coincidentally tattooed on her ribs as well. This is only explained without being explained if youre paying attention. The tips have been coming from the T-800 who goes by the name “Carl” now who after completing his mission, evolved and became a “family man” for lack of a better phrase. We also discover that Grace, who was a soldier, and is now a super soldier was killed in combat, but consented to being “augmented” just before dying. Despite “identifying as human”, as best as I can tell, Grace is like a certain Disney villain who is “more Machine than (wo)Man”
The four team up to combat the Rev 9s advances and while its a T-800 and a T-1000 mixed, it can do a lot of cool stuff, except out maneuver Graces fake Hand to Hand combat skills. At one point it is able to form a gun out of a lunch bag, but only does it once. Gabriel Luna, kills it in this role. No pun intended. No hyperbole. He stands out every time hes on screen and maybe has a fraction of the lines that Arnold Schwarzenegger has. He brings a calm menace with him and is still able to fire off quick amusing banter at the unsuspecting humans he is surrounded by. I would put his performance in this up again Robert Patricks in Judgement Day and might even be as bold to say better. All I do know is I want to see more out of him and might even visit his arch as Ghost Rider in Marvels Agents of SHIELD.
Mackenzie Grace feels hollow in this, but again, its her personality is enhanced with Linda Hamilton carrying her through the narrative. While I compared Hamiltons performance to a Clint Eastwood impression earlier, she is no doubt the star of this movie and its great to see her on screen again, not just in the Sarah Conner role. Natalie Reyes unfortunately leaves you wanting more in her performance, she goes from scarred girl to brave warrior in a matter of 48 hours that does not feel natural. Of course its great to see Arnold back in the Title role of The Terminator as well as a different iteration of the character to the point where hes developed an interesting spin on what he introduced as a movie monster back in 1984.
While the dialog in this is just abysmal, I loved the action exhibited. I loved the chemistry of the actors interacting together. And I really dug this alternate timeline, of an old premise.
Four out of Six Blueberries
Rated R for violence throughout, language and brief nudity
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