It seems like every big studio these days are consistently looking for the next big franchise that they can grow. Either that or they’re looking back to the past to see if they can resurrect anything from cinematic grave plots to be curated for the franchise life. It’s as if we’ve forgotten that filmmaking is art, first and foremost. I get it though, it’s a business. With franchises, sometimes you also get “universes”. With those universes comes the challenge of trying to establish a well throughout continuity to keep in place. Every franchise reaches a point in which they start to slip on the chronological sequence of events. One franchise, in particular, which is notable for this is Fox’s run on the X-Men movies. The MCU now seems to be facing the same problem with the addition of a certain web-slinger.
Though, as we’ve learned from Back to the Future and Avengers: Endgame, when you start to usher in time travel – that continuity you are aiming to stay intact becomes increasingly harder and harder to maintain. Terminator is a franchise that has hinged itself on the heels of time travel. What started in 1984 as a singular story has grown to a larger franchise with more to say than the death threats of John Connor. Terminator has garnered itself into multiple mediums and has extended its mythology as well. Now boasting six films, Arnold Schwarzenegger has done well on his promise of “I’ll be back”.
In the latest installment, Terminator: Dark Fate, Grace (Mackenzie Davis) is send back to the past to Dani Ramos (Natalia Reyes), a significant leader within the rewritten future. This is a film in which you have to heavily strap into- even from the opening credits. Dark Fate absolutely wastes no time at all choreographing some amazing action sequences. Being an action film at heart, the film is littered with fantastic sequences – some of which are the best the franchise has offered in years. The opening freeway scene lays the foundation perfectly for what is to come. With every new installment into the Terminator franchise, we’ve consistently experienced a growth in the antagonist and their technology. To grow with that, there must be a visual component of the films. Visually speaking, Dark Fate fills itself out very nicely in that regardf. Boasting a strong visual aesthetic.
While the action and visuals bode well in the arsenal of the film – it’s not without its glitches. Yes, I just made a dad joke. *laughs* Dark Fate feels like both refreshing and redundant at the same time. For one, it takes some notes from Halloween (2018) and ignores everything outside of the first film, gets a strong female presence and even feels like a subgenre film that could harbor perfectly for the #MeToo movement. Dark Fate fits that profile almost to a tee, which is extremely nice for this franchise. It feels like its’ returning to its roots from the original 1984 classic but also engaging the future. For the first time in the franchise, we are no longer focusing on the Connors. Which directly allows the franchise to grow in new details. Breath of fresh air, as previously said. The return of Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) allows the film to showcase a different side of the character following the events of T2.
When you’re a franchise that spans 6 movies, a television show, comic books and other forms of medium – there’s not a whole lot you can do to reinvent yourself. While the film does feel refreshing in some instances, it also feels formulaic in others. The same plot that we’ve seen the five movies prior returns once again. As previously mentioned, when you’re bringing in, the element of time travel your plot becomes more complicated. Dark Fate has no shortages of plot holes. That may in effect be the most frustrating portion of this movie.
Overall, Terminator: Dark Fate, is largely a return to form for the Terminator franchise. Solidly paced, beautifully visual and remarkably brilliant fight choreography – Dark Fate creates a fun environment that will welcome new fans and nostalgic fans alike. The film ushers in new life with a solid core cast in Mackenzie Davis, Natalia Reyes & Linda Hamilton. The three leading ladies prove that Terminator has more to offer than the Connors & cyborgs. Though, much like the villainous technology of the movie, this one still has glitches. Dark Fate is overflowing with plot holes, spotty character development and can lean in a bit too heavily into the franchise formula a bit too heavy.
RORSCHACH RATING:
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