Terminator: Dark Fate Movie Review : Finally, a worthy sequel

Terminator: Dark Fate Review: Two decades have passed since the events of ‘Judgement Day’. Dani Ramos (Natalia Reyes) works in an auto factory, but her simple life is disrupted when a new generation Terminator, Rev-9 (Gabriel Luna), is sent back in time to kill her. Just like before, he’s not alone; an enhanced human soldier Grace (Mackenzie Davis), is also sent to protect Dani. Of course, they find this advanced Terminator too much to handle. Enter Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), who knows a thing or two about these killing machines. As the three women fight for survival, Sarah needs to face her demons, mainly in the form of one particular Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger).
The biggest challenge this film faces is the need to justify why it exists beyond an undeniable sense of nostalgia. This entry ignores the three films in the Terminator franchise since ‘Judgement Day’, and the screenwriters draw on elements which worked in the first two while taking a different approach from the sequels. There are a few similarities in the storytelling department, but just enough to distinguish it. One key aspect is putting the three women front and centre. Linda Hamilton is her meanest best as a war-weary veteran Sarah Connor, giving old and new audiences a familiar character to root for. The film’s most intriguing scenes involve her with newcomers Mackenzie Davis and Natalia Reyes, both of whom stand their ground as Grace and Dani respectively. It’s telling that Arnold Schwarzenegger’s iconic character often takes a backseat to the trio, and the film is better off for it.
Sadly, ‘Dark Fate’ struggles to create another memorable foe. Despite Gabriel Luna’s best efforts to infuse some personality into the formidable Rev-9, it doesn’t translate well. The first two films were also memorable for their action set pieces, but all the latest visual effects in this entry don’t add many thrills, even with director Tim Miller throwing all the blockbuster staples at the screen. This proves that no amount of CGI can recreate the cinema magic of seeing Linda Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger together onscreen again. Is ‘Dark Fate’ the best Terminator film since ‘Judgement Day’? Absolutely. But that was a low bar to beat. If nothing else, ‘Dark Fate’ is a satisfying addition to James Cameron’s Terminator films that does just enough to bring the franchise back from the dead.

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