Quartile rating: 6/10 · 1 rating
The year is 2029. John Connor, leader of the resistance continues the war against the machines. At the Los Angeles offensive, John's fears of the unknown future begin to emerge when TECOM spies reveal a new plot by SkyNet that will attack him from both fronts; past and future, and will ultimately change warfare forever.
Terminator Genisys attempts to reboot the franchise with a convoluted timeline-reshuffling premise that ultimately confuses more than it excites. The plot leans heavily on nostalgia while dismantling what made the originals compelling, including the ill-advised mid-marketing spoiler of John Connor's twist. Arnold Schwarzenegger's return provides some charm but the younger leads (Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney) lack the chemistry and gravitas of their predecessors. The cinematography is competent blockbuster fare with decent action sequences but nothing visually distinctive. As a sequel/reboot it recycles iconic set pieces and imagery without adding meaningful new dimensions to the mythology. The ending sets up a sequel that never came, feeling unearned and hollow given the film's failure to establish its own identity.