I don’t think it’s controversial to say that T2 is up there with the best films ever made. It’s a timeless classic with great storytelling, characters, and action. So, after a few missteps, Terminator: Dark Fate teleports in to fix the franchise. For the most part it succeeds, depending on the kind of Terminator fan you are.
Dark Fate has a lot going for it this time around. James Cameron is back to produce. Iconic badass Linda Hamilton returns to reprise her role as Sarah Connor, and the film retcons everything after T2 to give us a hopeful restart. Though I’d hesitate to call the movie a faithful sequel, it is still very fun, and very good.
22 years after Sarah Connor stopped Cyberdyne and saved 3 billion future lives, a new future that mirrors the one she tried to stop has occurred and is now sending the menacing Rev-9 model to kill Daniella Ramos, the new hope for the future. It’s up to Sarah, and augmented time-traveler Grace to protect her and save the planet from a war it doesn’t know is coming.
Linda Hamilton is infinitely compelling as the “original” Sarah Connor and is by far the best actor in the film. She is so good, that she almost puts every other character in the movie to shame, except for Arnold. He is always fun to watch as the stoic and unfeeling Cyberdyne Systems model 101.
From the first scene in an automobile factory, the action grabs you and doesn’t let up. Fights feel weighty and powerful. It’s extremely cool to watch robots slam into each other with heavy tools, cars, and of course lots of guns. Amidst it all is Sarah Connor who despite not being a robot capable of amazing feats is still the coolest character in the fight.
Where the movie falters is its treatment of the source material. In the first 5 minutes of the film something happens that is incredibly polarizing depending on how much you love the Terminator films. Either this movie is going to upset you or excite you with its bold direction. Keep this in mind as when you see it.
Action movie buffs will enjoy this film. Though long-time fans beware, it does do some things that shake the foundation of the Terminator franchise that you will either love or hate.
Terminator: Dark Fate changes the future for the series, regardless of the consequences or impact.
Terminator: Dark Fate
8 out of 10.
2 hrs 14 mins. Sci-Fi Action.
Directed by Tim Miller
Starring Linda Hamilton, Mackenzie Davis, Natalia Reyes, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Gabriel Luna.
Now playing at Film.ca Cinemas, Cineplex Winston Churchill and Cineplex Oakville & VIP. Also in IMAX.
