Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Movie review: Terminator: Dark Fate


 Sarah may have prevented Judgment Day, but when a new liquid Terminator is sent to eliminate the future resistance leader, her fight continues. Teaming up with an enhanced super soldier and a most unexpected ally, the three set out to once again save humanity from the machines.

Linda Hamilton (Sarah), Arnold Schwarzenegger (T-800/Carl), Mackenzie Davis (Grace), Natalia Reyes (Dani), Gabriel Luna (Gabriel/Rev-9), Diego Boneta (Diego), Tom Hopper (Hadrell), Alicia Borrachero (Alicia).

Terminator: Dark Fate begins as films often do in this franchise, with the immediate introduction of a new Terminator version rolled into a continuing, but very familiar, storyline. Once again, Terminator's sent from the future are here to kill the future resistance leader thereby ending humanity. What could make this more like previous episodes? Bring back Sarah and the first T-800 as key characters. Which also seems to be where the franchise is starting to fail.

Acting was solid as usual in this franchise. Acting is also feeling old in this franchise. Hamilton and Schwarzenegger both delivered as always and added nicely to the film, and both felt a bit out of place for their age. I've been a fan of this franchise since the beginning, but the series simply feels like it needs to move on. The fight can continue, but the cast is needing an update at this point which of course, we are tease with every time.

Technical work here, as usual, was nicely done. The Rev-9 effects were good, but the only bit of originality felt like the splitting ability which, surprisingly, didn't seem to surprise characters in the film much at all. Camera work, sets, backgrounds, costuming, and effects are all managed and delivered well. Dialogue seemed to dwell on previous episodes and an assumption new characters would be both familiar with it and in agreement. Again, it feels like it is time to move on and update things a bit.

Overall Terminator: Dark Fate is another solid entry in the franchise which fans should enjoy. Those newer to Terminator may feel the need for updating, or not completely catch references and dependencies on previous episodes.

With some nudity, plenty of intense violence, some foul language, and adult situations, teens and above should be fine with this one.

Released: 2019
Reviewed: 11.14.20
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Thrillers, Fantasy, Sci-Fi Action

copyright ©2020 Dave Riedel

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