Terminator: Dark Fate

It's not. Atleast not the one I ever wanted.

It's barely any better than the other failed sequels that have come since 1991. I might actually prefer some of the others, as much as I disliked them at the time.

Looking at it objectively, it's not an awful movie. But they built it up so much with the return of Cameron and saying it was a 'return to form' etc that I think the disappointment has hit twofold. It is a very, very average film.

I'm conscious of some 'gender politics' attached to this movie, or how it's perceived. Please understand that I was fully okay with having three female leads. Terminator has been the tale of 'the mother of the future' all along after all. Let's be clear that it was just a fairly poor film, regardless of gender.

There are still only two films as far as I'm concerned - T1 & T2. If you want the real follow up, get hold of copies of the comics 'T2: Cybernetic Dawn' and 'T2: Nuclear Twilight.' (Read them in that order). They wrapped up the story tidily and respectfully. This film achieved neither of those things.

It's the same story as the original only this time with the now common women empowerment theme added to it.

And a very irritating Linda Hamilton.

Reminds me of how the Force Awakens was a copy of the original SW film but slighten towards women too.

Shame but we need some fresh stories. I expected MUCH better from James Cameron.

"Dark Fate" is a direct sequel to Cameron's original "Terminators" and ignores movies and series that have come out in the meantime, treating them as alternate timelines. I count that as a plus because the films in question are a desecration of Cameron's legacy. Also, I was glad to see Linda Hamilton and Schwarzenegger again in this franchise. But to be fair, this is no sequel, but a rather pathetic recycling of the first two films bordering on a remake. It is effective in arousing nostalgia among fans, but if we ignore that, the film is completely redundant and its only goal is to milk a few more dollars on account of the old glory.

5/10

"Terminator: Dark Fate" attempts to revive the franchise with a blend of new characters and old favorites, but ultimately falls short of recapturing the magic of the original films.

The decision to ignore the events of previous sequels and serve as a direct sequel to "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" may have seemed like a promising approach, but the execution falters in several crucial ways. Despite the return of Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor and Arnold Schwarzenegger as the T-800, their characters feel underutilized and fail to reignite the same spark that made them beloved in the past.

The introduction of new characters, such as Dani Ramos and Grace, brings a fresh perspective to the story, but their arcs are underdeveloped and lack the depth needed to truly invest audiences in their fates. Mackenzie Davis delivers a serviceable performance as Grace, but her character is ultimately overshadowed by the legacy of Connor and the T-800.

The film's attempts to modernize the franchise with updated technology and visual effects often come across as superficial, failing to enhance the core themes and emotional resonance that made the original films so compelling. The action sequences, while well-executed, lack the visceral impact and tension that defined the earlier installments, feeling more like generic blockbuster fare than a worthy continuation of the Terminator legacy.

The plot twists and revelations feel contrived and predictable, robbing the film of the suspense and intrigue that characterized the best entries in the series. The pacing also suffers from uneven storytelling, with rushed exposition and clunky dialogue that detract from the overall coherence of the narrative.

In the end, "Terminator: Dark Fate" is a missed opportunity to breathe new life into the franchise, delivering a lackluster and forgettable addition to the Terminator saga. Despite its best intentions, the film fails to recapture the magic of the original films, leaving fans and newcomers alike with a lukewarm experience at best.

Great action scenes. And the rest is pathetic. The new terminator made a few jokes. - really? The latino girl character is SO dull and such a cliche. I am so disappointed. This is nothing like T1 and T2. When you have all the tools and resources to make it work and all you do is produce this FAILURE. SHAME!