More than 20 years have passed since Sarah Connor and her son, John, managed to stop Judgment Day. Naturally Sarah thought the threat was gone forever, but it turns out it was only postponed. Once again, someone who can defeat the machines is identified, and Robots from the future have been sent back- one to kill; one to protect. The Terminator is a new and highly advanced weapon known as a Rev-9, and its target is a young girl named Dani (Natalia Reyes). John Connor is no longer a target, and Skynet is no more.

Like each Terminator film, the young girl isn’t alone. Her protector is Grace (Mackenzie Davis), a female superhuman with many abilities. Naturally, she too is sent from the future. Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) also catches up with the leading ladies and wants to tag along to prevent a terrible future for the world. To clarify, this film feels like a continuation from the movie Terminator 2: Judgement Day and is merely ignoring the previous instalments.

As a plot, our film has taken big risks which I feel we shock many fans, especially if you’re a fan of the first two instalments (like myself).

Needless to say it’s enjoyable to see the return of both Linda Hamilton & Arnold Schwarzenegger (even if the reasoning behind it is a bit sly). I didn’t have any issues with the returning characters or the introduction to new faces.

Without giving spoilers, I was slightly dissatisfied with the lack of chemistry between both Linda Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger in their roles. This is more relating to the way the film has been written and its general plot. Ah yes, the plan.

Unfortunately, this film is very familiar in regards to its general story, and we know it too well by now. Two people are sent back from the future, they go on the run, travel somewhere safe, and run again until the end occurs. Unfortunately, the film hasn’t changed the pace, only altering the plot.

Action is generally enjoyable, but there is nothing genuinely gripping here or anything that kept me on the edge of my cinema seat. This could be due to the large dose of CGI effects and green screen backgrounds.

Overall, Terminator: Dark Fate is a solid effort considering it’s the 6th Terminator film. While elements can be praised, such as the reuniting of familiar faces from the original movie or introductions to new characters, the film takes some significant risks in the plot which I fear will hurt many fans. The film’s storyline is also nothing new, and action scenes are loaded with CGI, taking away the suspenseful chills.

5.7/10

Terminator: Dark Fate (2019) – Movie Review Podcast is now available!

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Review Written by Peter Walkden