“Terminator: Dark Fate” Movie Review

    It’s been four years since “Terminator: Genisys” was released to mixed critical and audience reaction.  For the past few decades, it seems like the Terminator franchise has been desperately trying to find it’s footing after the events of “Terminator 2: Judgement Day”.  “Terminator: Dark Fate” once again tries to set the franchise on a new course.

    The film follows the events of “Terminator 2: Judgement Day” and picks up shortly after those events (a major character death that would spoil most of the film happens at this point).  The film then shifts to modern day and focuses on a young woman named Dani as she finds herself the target of a new Terminator model (the Rev-9).  Dani is protected by an enhanced human named Grace as well as Sarah Connor as they try to protect Dani from the dark fate that lies ahead of her.

    Let me start by saying that this film negates “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines”, “Terminator: Salvation”, “Terminator: Genisys” and the television show “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”.  Those additions to the franchise now take place in an alternate timeline.  I know some franchises have worse continuity (Highlander and X-Men come to mind) but this film further tarnishes what little continuity the franchise still had.  The film itself almost serves best as a stand-alone film as opposed to a sequel as a result.

    The movie was directed by “Deadpool” filmmaker Tim Miller and he once again delivers an adrenaline rush with this film.  Many of the action set pieces felt original and intense in the film.  The movie also delivers pulse pounding stunts that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats as the Terminator franchise often does.

    James Cameron returned to consult and help develop this sequel.  I find some of his choices a bit odd since some of his decisions contradict scenes he filmed for “Terminator 2: Judgement Day” in which Sarah and John Connor were seen older and happy in 2029.  These scenes actually appear in a cut of the movie so why he retconned his own masterpiece for this film is beyond me.  It sort of takes the message of the second film away that we can create our own destiny and instead copies the ending of the third movie, that judgment day is inescapable.  I prefer to think we make our own destiny.

    The new characters and actors in the movie are somewhat lackluster compared to the returning characters and stars.  Natalia Reyes was serviceable as Dani but wasn’t very convincing as ‘future Dani’.  Gabriel Luna was completely wasted as the Rev-9.  The highlight among the new cast members was Mackenzie Davis as Grace.  Davis brought an intensity to the role that the other new cast members did not.

    This brings me to the highlights of the film, Linda Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger.  It was so refreshing to see those two share the screen together again after so many years.  Hamilton plays a wonderfully seasoned (and grizzled) Sarah Connor who’s only purpose is to kill every Terminator she comes across.  Schwarzenegger plays a Terminator model T-800 and actually provides the most interesting subplot of the film.  After this T-800 was set free from Skynet, he attempted to seek a purpose and become more ‘human’.  In my opinion, this should have been the main story of the movie.  Some of the best episodes of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” revolved around Data’s quest to become more human.  This film could have used more of that.

    When all is said and done, this film is ultimately a good sci-fi action movie that is handicapped some by it’s own brand name.  If you view this film as more of a stand alone movie, it is far more enjoyable.  If you look at this film as a sequel to any of the other movies in the franchise, it will probably just leave more questions than answers.  I would still recommend seeing this movie in the theaters, just know what you are getting yourself into first.

Grade: B-

“Brainscan” Movie Review

    I am not the biggest horror expert in the world so there are quite a few horror movies I am still discovering.  From time to time, I watch ‘new to me’ cult classics provided to me through review copies.  Unlike some other horror movies I get however, I had actually heard of the movie “Brainscan” and requested it directly from Mill Creek Entertainment.  Mill Creek was kind enough to provide me the film and I very much looked forward to seeing it.

    The film follows a young man named Michael as he agrees to play a game called Brianscan after his friend Kyle encourages him to.  Michael plays the first game and kills someone in the game.  Upon doing so, he is greeted by a character in the game called the Trickster and finds out that the murder he committed in the game turned out to be real.  Now, Michael isn’t sure if he is losing his mind or if he is actually a killer.  Michael finds himself in over his head as the Trickster manipulates Michael into killing his friend Kyle and covering up his murder.

    The movie received negative reviews upon it’s release but has since become something of a cult classic since.  I found the movie to be interesting and thought the character of the Trickster to be really unique.  I can understand critics not being blown away by aspects of the film, but I find it odd that so few of them saw the good in the film.

    The film was directed by John Flynn and starred Edward Furlong a few years after co-starring in the smash hit “Terminator 2: Judgment Day”.  Flynn did not have a good experience working with Furlong on the film.  Frank Langella plays a detective in the film but isn’t given much to do.  T. Ryder Smith is given the most creative freedom as the Trickster and does a stellar job.  Smith’s performance was inspired by rock stars such as Alice Cooper and he doesn’t disappoint.

    This movie is interesting because it takes a stand on the video game violence debate by basically equating simulated violence to actual violence.  Not only is it a talking point brought up a few times in the film, but the basic concept of the film seemingly makes the argument that there is little difference between video game violence and real life violence.  I wonder if this stance might have been why the movie wasn’t more popular.  It’s hard to sell a movie to an audience when your audience as a whole tends to disagree with your stance (also a bit hypocritical to target a teenage audience with a violent movie while stating that simulated violence can turn them violent in real life.  Just my opinion however).  Maybe I am just overthinking this movie.

    After watching the movie and putting aside the vague morals the movie is trying to advocate, I thought it was pretty entertaining.  It was a classic but it reminds me of the type of movies I would watch as a kid.  Plus, the movie is worth watching for the Trickster alone.

Grade: C+

Buy the “Mindwarp” and “Brainscan” Double Feature Blu-ray Here!!!