This franchise needs to be terminated. Directed by Tim Miller (“Deadpool”), “Terminator: Dark Fate” is the newest installment in the long-running “Terminator” franchise. The brainchild of James Cameron (“Avatar”), “Terminator,” has been a staple of action cinema since the 1980s. 1984’s “The Terminator” serves as a wonderful blend of science fiction and neo-noir, while 1991’s “Terminator 2: Judgement Day” is often regarded as the best action film of all time.
However, the franchise floundered in the 21st century. “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines,” while enjoyable, undid the closure brought forth in “Terminator 2.” It got even worse with the most recent installments, “Terminator Salvation” and “Terminator Genisys,” which reinvigorated the franchise the same way a pop quiz reinvigorates a class of college students. Needless to say, the “Terminator” franchise needed help in getting its spark back and with Cameron returning in a producer role, hopes were high in a return to quality. Unfortunately, “Terminator: Dark Fate” is another bland, by-the-numbers blockbuster which leaves the franchise in another creative dead-end.
The film serves as a direct sequel to the first two “Terminator” films, ignoring everything past “Judgement Day.” Mackenzie Davis (“Tully”) is Grace, an augmented soldier from the future who is sent back in time to protect Daniella “Dani” Ramos, (Natalia Reyes, “Birds of Passage”), a young woman from Mexico City. After a run-in with the advanced Rev-9 Terminator (Gabriel Luna, “Transpecos”), the duo come across a battle-hardened Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton, “Curvature”) and must work together to ensure Dani’s survival from the unstoppable killing machine.
The plot to “Dark Fate” is nothing special. It is a retread of the “Terminator” movies we have seen in the past with very little twists. The characters are also composites of those we have seen before. Dani is obviously the new John Connor while Grace is the Kyle Reese figure. Unfortunately, neither are compelling or interesting to care for. Davis’ character in particular is underwhelming in execution as her character arc mirrors not only Reese’s but Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington, “Fractured”) from “Terminator Salvation.” Even the return of Sarah Connor, who is still a complete badass, is not enough to fully redeem this picture.
The deadly Rev-9 Terminator is also underwhelming. Although the effects are decent enough, the Rev-9 lacks the intrigue of past Terminator models. The T-1000 was made of liquid metal. The T-X was able to control vehicles at will. This Terminator model? It can create two versions of itself. How creative. On a good note, Luna’s performance includes a few decent one-liners that act as the comedic highlights of the film.
“Terminator: Dark Fate” is not a terrible movie but a creatively bankrupt one. There is nothing here unique or exciting that has not been done in past “Terminator” movies. The only hope for this franchise is for Cameron to return and hopefully let the series rest. The first two movies worked because they had a premise that while simple, had excellent execution in both style and substance. This movie has none of those things. Let us hope this franchise will not be back.
Image from Paramount Pictures via YouTube
