THE first two Terminator movies set the bar so high for the action sci-fi time-travelling killer robot trope that none of its subsequent sequels had managed to top them, or even come close.
The first, which came out in 1984 and the second in 1991, both were also known to have featured state of the art special effects of the time.
James Cameron, who wrote and directed the two classics that made Arnold Schwarzenegger a bona fide Hollywood action star, had a keen eye and ability to tell thrilling cat and mouse action-packed stories that were filled with drama, emotion and heart as well.
Who can forget Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor, whose character arc saw her grow from a timid nobody to a battle-ready and kickass heroine carrying the burden of protecting her son at all costs in order to save the world from impending doom, caused by a future where machines wage genocide against humanity?
There was a certain sense of urgency and edge to the movies with the first having an underlying theme of love and the second, of a father-son relationship.
The satisfyingly outlandish “Mobius strip” convoluted time travel concept of the Terminator series revolved around the titular character, a machine disguised as a human who is sent back in time to kill Sarah in the first movie. This was to ensure that she never gives birth to her son John Connor, who is fated to become a resistance leader in the future that leads humanity to victory over the machines.
Also sent from the future is Kyle Reese, a human resistance fighter, whose mission was to protect Sarah from the killer machine. The two fall in love and he becomes the father of John but is killed off in the first movie. In it, Schwarzenegger played the seemingly unstoppable Terminator but in the second, a similar but reprogrammed model was sent back to protect a teenage John from being killed by a more advanced liquid metal Terminator that could shapechange.
While the other three following sequels featured Schwarzenegger in some form or other, the new movie sees the return of Hamilton in her iconic role as Sarah. The 63-year-old actress kicks serious butt as she plays the battle-hardened veteran who has a beef with the Terminators.
Dark Fate also introduces new characters in the form of an augmented human named Grace. Played by Mackenzie Davis, she is sent back in time to the present by the future Resistance to protect Dani (Natalia Reyes) who has yet to realise her importance. The young girl is being hunted by a new and improved prototype Terminator dubbed the Rev-9 (Gabriel Luna).
Dark Fate starts out with a pivotal scene that evolves the franchise before kicking into high gear. From thereon, Grace and Dani get help from the hardy Sarah and later, Schwarzenegger’s cyborg, to deal with the relentless Rev-9 that can dislocate itself into separate skeletal and liquid forms.
The movie basically takes all of the great beats and elements from the first two movies and rehashes them in a new mix here. There’s nothing groundbreaking, especially from a visual effects standpoint, but it’s a good watch anyway.
The cool concept of the new Terminator being able to become two entities is also never fully utilised well, and is a missed opportunity. Director Tim Miller of Deadpool fame does a great job though of setting up some thrilling action sequences. But it eventually goes into over-the-top Fast And Furious territory as the movie progresses.
The action is given a sense of urgency by the score; Junkie XL utilises the now unforgettable original theme by Brad Fidel. There are a couple of humorously offbeat moments as well, mainly from Schwarzenegger, that serve to lighten the general sombre and dire tone of the movie.
The cast generally deliver good performances. It’s great to see Hamilton back in action as Sarah and the movie really belongs to her. Davis is fabulous as well, as the gritty protector who makes an impression in the action scenes.
Dark Fate has been called the Terminator version of Star Wars’ The Force Awakens, which some might not really view as a compliment. It doesn’t come close to the first two classics but it’s still an entertaining ride and much better than the Rise Of The Machines, Salvation and Genysis sequels.
And although it feels like a direct sequel to Terminator 2: Judgement Day and disregards the other following movies, Dark Fate does push the franchise in a new direction with different characters.
Those who are new to the Terminator world will get a decent action movie experience and will be able to follow the story without much trouble. Long-time Terminator fans though will only enjoy the ride if they can get past the major shift at the beginning of the movie.
Depending on your preference, it really is indeed a dark fate.
TERMINATOR: DARK FATE
Directed by Tim Miller
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Mackenzie Davis, Gabriel Luna, Natalia Reyes
Duration: 129 minutes
Rating: 18