Terminator Genisys

Terminator Genisys – When Skynet send a deadly Terminator back in time to kill his mother, resistance leader, John Connor sends his second-in-command, Kyle Reese, back to save her. However, the past has been substantially changed and Sarah Connor is now a warrior, preparing for battle. With her is a reprogrammed Terminator who was sent back many years before to train her for what is to come. When John Connor turns up in their timeline, he gives them a choice to work with the machines to change the future for the better, but all is not what it seems.

Terminator Genisys (2015) – Director: Alan Taylor

Rating: 12

Running Length: 126 mins

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney

Genre: Action, Science Fiction

REVIEW: ‘TERMINATOR GENISYS’

As the fifth instalment of the ‘Terminator’ franchise, ‘Genisys’ is both a sequel and reboot . Bringing the canon full circle with some new and old plot lines, it seems to be hoping to keep original fans happy while refreshing a now slightly tired story. While a plot revolving around time travel is bound to become a little confusing at times, ‘Genisys’ ensures the audience can follow at a good pace.

What brings the movie down is the lack of chemistry between Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney) and Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke). Neither manage to conjour up the obligatory love story beyond some token gestures and the film fails make it convincing that either would fall in love with the other; they appear much more like friends than lovers! What saves ‘Genisys’ is a fantastic performance by Arnold Schwarzenegger who plays Sarah’s Guardian (or ‘Pops’). Schwarzenegger’s aging Terminator, in trying to become more human, is comically inept at it although the fatherly love he has for Sarah is genuine and very touching at times.

Overall, ‘Terminator Genisys’ is a lot of fun and, with so many action sequences, it is difficult to be bored! While it won’t please everyone, it is a good new beginning for the franchise and, with some exciting changes, it will be interesting to see what the future will bring.

CONTENT: IS ‘TERMINATOR GENISYS’ SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?

The opening scene shows lots of ordinary people going about their lives, including young children playing. Missiles are launched and fly through the air; they then destroy buildings and vehicles. It is made abundantly clear that all the people who have just been seen have been killed by these explosions, especially as skulls litter the floor of a playground. The dialogue explains that ‘three billion died’.

There Terminators themselves are extremely frightening, especially when not covered in a skin-like substance that makes them appear human; they are skeletal machines with cruel red eyes glaring out of metallic skulls. They are very menacing and the dialogue says that humans are ‘put in camps for extermination’, implying that they kill without compassion or remorse. Another aspect of the Terminators that makes them scary is that they never stop; they are relentless. One of them attacks a protagonist and is stopped, appearing to be dead but suddenly jumps out at them again. This could be very scary for kids, especially as the Terminator loses its ‘skin’ and is a deformed metallic skeleton when it reappears.

There are a few scenes which include the time machine weapon and, in order to come out alive, anyone who goes through it must be naked. Therefore each of these scenes features some nudity (male and female) although nothing explicit is seen and there are no sexual connotations. At one point just before they will enter the time machine, a male and female character talk as they undress (there is a barrier between them so they cannot see each other). The female character is seen removing her bra and the male character watches her naked shadow for a few seconds.

The T-1000 model of Terminator is very scary as it is made of liquid metal and when shot or burned can reform very quickly. It can also turn any part of its body (usually its arms) into large, sharp blades. Several people are stabbed by these blades including one man who is so violently stabbed that he is lifted off the floor.

One character is attacked and has black marks over his face. He struggles and appears to be in pain and after a short while, the black marks spread, taking over his whole head.

CAN I SEE A CLIP?

VERDICT: IS ‘TERMINATOR GENISYS’ FOR KIDS?

‘Terminator Genisys’ is exciting and full of action; although the lack of chemistry between the two main characters – whose destinies have apparently always been entwined – is disappointing. Arnie makes up for this in humour and his developing character. Due to the amount of violence and innocents being killed, we feel this movie is appropriate for kids aged ten and over.

• Violence: 4/5
• Emotional Distress: 3/5 (one character is left alone and will not see a loved one for many years, after sending that person away they appear down and dejected. A character chooses to sacrifice themselves in order to save the world, a loved one begs them not to and, having to be physically restrained, screams and cries in distress)
• Fear Factor: 3/5
• Sexual Content: 2/5 (There are several comical references to characters ‘mating’)           
• Bad Language: 4/5 (frequent moderate cursing and blasphemy, one strong curse word is used towards the beginning of the movie)
• Dialogue: 3/5 (mostly relating to death and destruction of the world)  
• Other notes: Deals with themes of protecting the people you care about, making sacrifices for the greater good, courage, fighting against a stronger foe and trusting your instincts.

Words by Laura Record

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