In Defense Of: “Terminator Genisys” (2015)

Its Best Action Sequences Are Front-Loaded, Which Can Leave A Sour Taste

The first half of Genisys is where the film is at its most interesting, as it confidently doles out a terrific opening action sequence set against the iconic future war backdrop, before segueing into even more pulse-pounding action set-pieces that are smart twists on the Terminator formula that we know and love.

It’s this future war prologue that really stands out, though. In just this short opening sequence, Genisys assuredly skewers Salvation’s disappointing future war vision right between its dull red, robotic eyes and emphatically proceeds to strike out in a fresh, new direction. From a fan’s perspective, it’s an engrossing opener that sheds much needed light on the post-apocalyptic conflict between man and machine. Put simply, it’s nice seeing Genisys start with an immediate bang. However, this momentum does begin to decline as the pic moves into its latter half.

One thing that’s very clear, is that it’s impossible to criticize Genisys for a lack of on-screen action. On the contrary, it’s actually overloaded with over-the-top set-pieces, that often unhinge the velocity of the whole experience, like a car stuck in fifth gear. With very few moments to catch your breath – especially in its latter half – and with such an emphasis on bombastic action, the overall pacing suffers as a result, to the point where many of the closing action sequences end up feeling protracted and overly long. Ultimately, the final battles feel a little tiresome, which is a mighty shame.

Nevertheless, the first handful of action sequences are top-notch stuff, especially the early scenes that focus on Lee Byung-hun’s surprisingly brilliant turn as the iconic T-1000. I just wish there was more of him in the concluding acts, along with a little more downtime to help balance the overblown action. Ultimately, Genisys is a good action movie, but with a bit more thought and care, it could’ve been a great one.