Is Terminator: Genisys Worth Your Time?

Terminator 2: Judgment Day is one of the greatest action films ever made. Maybe the best. The 1991 blockbuster set new standards in computer effects with the iconic liquid T-1000 while still hitting audiences with gritty, explosive practical effects. Unfortunately, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines and Terminator: Salvation both failed to recapture fans' hearts thanks to a combination of cheesy jokes, mishandled story twists, and poor casting decisions. Terminator: Genisys carries on the series' tradition of disappointing sequels, bringing us to a point in time where there are arguably more bad Terminator films than good ones. Brief sprints of gleeful fan service are suffocated by trite dialogue, jarring tone shifts, and more.

Genisys' plot is all over the place, even more so than some have come to expect from the Terminator's time-traveling antics. This sequel reboots parts of the timeline, but never makes clear which of the previous films it considers part of the official canon. I managed to keep up with the alternate timelines and time-hopping twists for about half the film, then spent the rest of my time holding my head in confusion. All you need to know is that Skynet must be stopped once again and all the core characters from the series return, each playing a new role in this twisted timeline.

The cast is one of my main problems with Genisys. Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke seems like a slam-dunk for the tenacious Sarah Connor at first, but her forced sassy attitude comes across more like an annoying rebellious teen rather than the battle-ready warrior she's introduced as is in this new timeline. Jai Courtney (Zero Dark Thirty) plays time-traveling hero Kyle Reese, and his attempt at the role immediately comes across as "generic buff action-movie meathead." Reese's predictable hero-guy cockiness is made worse by his smarmy, whiny attitude, which presents a harsh contrast to actor Michael Biehn's original portrayal. Kyle Reese, as seen in 1984's The Terminator, had a spindly build and fish-out-of-water perspective that made him interesting and against type for other action movie leads of the '80s. All that is gone here.

Arnold Schwarzenegger's reprisal of his iconic role bounces between dopey comic relief and metallic bad-ass, with little in between. The T-800 offered some silly breaks form the action in T2, but Genisys turns it up to obnoxious levels thanks to repeated jokes that were stale the first time, such as goofy robot grins and too many references to being old. Even otherwise awesome action sequences, like single-handedly taking out an enemy chopper, are made unbearably cheesy thanks to the brief, chugging heavy metal Terminator theme that accompanies every big Schwarzenegger stunt.

Speaking of robot battles, the Terminator vs. Terminator fights are the highlights of the film. The short sequence taking place in 1984 - the setting of the first film - is a diamond in the rough and taken alone is worth watching for longtime fans. Despite the campy writing and rough acting, this portion of the film plays out like an unabashed, entertaining remix of the first two fantastic films. Director Alan Taylor's (Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire) reenactments of The Terminator's early scenes on the mean streets of Los Angeles easily could've been a cringe-worthy disaster, but the risk pays off. Watching a liquid-metal assassin chase Sarah Connor and company within a new context is a silly, yet undeniably fun, treat.

Everything else - save for eye-candy explosions - is some of the worst the series has suffered. The future segments, which portray humanity's struggle in the aftermath of the machine-instigated nuclear fallout, look like low-rent Syfy-channel trash. The too-bright, soap opera lighting makes everything look extra phony, especially John Connor's laughably unconvincing scar makeup. Genisys also makes the dubious move to eschew the omnipotent we-are-legion Skynet in favor of a new approach, undoing part of what made the self-aware collective so intriguing. This confusing decision weaves into broader time-traveling plot problems, which become so mixed up that the film even goes out of its way several times to ask thoughtful theatergoers not to spend too much time pondering it. Instead of being an amusing wink to the audience, this comes off more like a nervous carnie shooing away customers from seeing the chewing gum and scotch tape holding everything together behind the scenes.

Should You See Terminator: Genisys?

Negative. I can't recommend the series' latest to anyone and expect myself to have a good night's sleep. The clichéd writing and hollow performances prevented me from forming any real emotional investment in the characters. Also, the uneven visual effects at the beginning establish an air of inauthenticity that continues to permeate the rest of the film. Only the most diehard of fans should bother showing up for Genisys, and even then I recommend showing up late and leaving early so you only catch the enjoyable 1984 sequence. 

For more on Terminator, check out our wish list for the perfect game.