Terminator: Dark Fate
Terminator: Dark Fate operates as if none of the series’ films after T2: Judgement Day exist — a bit of a shortsighted choice seeing as all but Genisys are solid action flicks, but also a logical one since it’s the first installment in 27 years where saga creator James Cameron is involved in crafting the story.
Early on, however, it seems as if the newcomer will join the previous movie in the stinker category. With future resistance leader John Connor (Edward Furlong) somewhat shockingly out of the picture, the film flashes to the present in which young Dani Ramos (Natalia Reyes, Birds of Passage) is mysteriously hunted through Mexico City by the seemingly unstoppable REV-9 terminator (Gabriel Luna, ABC’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.).
Though the REV-9’s exceptional speed and liquid metal dexterity make it the most terrifying time-traveling cyborg the series has delivered thus far, its initial combat and car-chase scenes with fellow future warrior Grace (Mackenzie Davis, Tully) are marred by ugly, clearly fake effects work. In addition to an odd, blurry glow, these action sequences are often incomprehensible due to overly fast camera movements and an excess of edits by director Tim Miller that make one wonder if his Deadpool has similar issues that were somehow forgiven in the moment.
As Dani and Grace are soon joined by lethal lone wolf Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton, natch), Dark Fate finds a temporary solution to its visual woes by, well, abstaining from fights and shootouts. In need of help and regrouping, the trio follows coordinates to Texas and comes face-to-face with a T-800 (Arnold “Who Else?” Schwarzenegger) with whom Sarah has lingering beef.
In one of the year’s most pleasant surprises, Schwarzenneger is hilarious as “Carl,” a robot with a conscience who’s become a family man and, after 22 years of perfecting his deadpan delivery, quite the comedian. Back in his most iconic role, the actor is a consistent delight and peppers the film with humor and, eventually, badass action.
Once the battles resume, Miller finds a solution to his movie’s nagging issue by filming in the dark of night and, occasionally, underwater — pet peeves of this critic that, at least here, miraculously result in greater clarity and increased excitement. The combo of Grace and Carl offer an exhilarating match for the REV-9, and Grace’s gifts with a metal chain are goosebump-inducing.
Its sins promptly forgiven, Dark Fate keeps the tension and thrills elevated to the end and restores the Terminator films to a place where additional adventures are again a welcome proposition.
Grade: B-plus. Rated R. Now playing at AMC Classic, Biltmore Grande, and Carolina Cinemark
(Photo: Paramount Pictures)
