Early Reviewers Say Terminator: Dark Fate Is The Best In The Series Since T2
What do the critics think of Dark Fate?
Terminator hasn't had the best run since Judgement Day. The last film in the franchise, 2015's Terminator Genisys was a commercial and critical flop; however, that didn't stop the franchise from producing a sixth movie. Series creator James Cameron and stars of the first movie, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton, help ensure a new movie was greenlit, and it's headed to theaters in one week.
Terminator: Dark Fate is a direct sequel to Cameron's 1991 classic T2: Judgment Day, and is directed by Deadpool Tim Miller, with Cameron producing and overseeing the story. The film focuses on a new Terminator, Rev-9 (Gabriel Luna), who is trying to kill a woman called Dani (Natalia Reyes). Hamilton returns as Sarah Connor, with Mackenzie Davis playing Grace, a cybernetically enhanced soldier who must protect Dani. And of course, Schwarzenegger is back as the T-800, the Terminator from the original movies. Check out the trailer here, plus the first clip.
Terminator: Dark Fate has now now been screened for critics ahead of its November 1 release. There were also a series of surprise fan screenings at Alamo theaters across the US. Fans attended thinking they were about to watch T2 and some new footage from Dark Fate, but in fact got to enjoy the new movie, with a specially-recorded introduction by Schwarzenegger and Hamilton.
Opinion so far is positive, with many critics stating that the movie is easily the best in the series since T2. Admittedly, none of the previous three films were particularly well received, but comparisons to Star Wars: The Force Awakens and praise for both the action and the performances will get fans excited. Check back soon for GameSpot's review of the film, and in the meantime, here's what the critics are saying about Terminator: Dark Fate on Twitter:
I saw #TerminatorDarkFate and I think it's the Force Awakens of Terminator: It's gorgeous and technically impressive, with a great cast of returning and new characters. Plays safe by following T2's formula pretty closely, but moves the franchise toward an exciting future. pic.twitter.com/5hIjmlq6kO
— Mike Rougeau (@RogueCheddar) October 21, 2019
#TerminatorDarkFate is easily the best Terminator movie since T2. Has some fantastic action and loved how the film features 3 female protagonists that all kick-ass. So awesome seeing Linda Hamilton back as Sarah Connor. pic.twitter.com/15Yb6cC18W
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) October 21, 2019
#TerminatorDarkFate is better than you think it’s going to be. Its trying hard to be the Force Awakens of Terminator movies, and mostly succeeds. But it’s lacking Cameron’s innovation, evolution and directing. Arnold is fantastic, the best of his post T2 Terminator appearances.
— Peter Sciretta (@slashfilm) October 21, 2019
#TerminatorDarkFate is a blast. Came for the return of Linda Hamilton (amazing) & reprisal of Schwarzenegger (badass) but was surprised and happy to come out caring most about Natalia Reyes’ Dani & Mackenzie Davis’ Grace. It gave me a lot of hope for where Terminator will go next pic.twitter.com/vfWPFwMnzS
— Terri Schwartz (@Terri_Schwartz) October 21, 2019
#TerminatorDarkFate is the best of the TERMINATOR sequels after T2. Easily among the year’s most entertaining action films, it’s thrilling, intense & non-stop, but also a sweet story about making things right. Arnold is great & Linda rules, but Mackenzie Davis THROWS DOWN pic.twitter.com/8TQ4Gpkkdr
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) October 21, 2019
I was skeptical of TERMINATOR: DARK FATE. Thought the trailers were not great. But I would up enjoying it quite a bit, and the difference maker (vs the other post T2 sequels) is Linda Hamilton. It’s always been HER story and Hamilton adds the needed weight here.
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) October 21, 2019
Is #TerminatorDarkFate the best since T2? Yup. Linda Hamilton’s return makes a BIG difference, Mackenzie Davis kicks all the ass, & Natalia Reyes is an excellent anchor. Gabriel Luna’s Rev-9 is a winner too. Physicality, VFX, fights - all spot on! Glad they gave this another go. pic.twitter.com/4Q1FNN49Hw
— Perri Nemiratu (@PNemiroff) October 21, 2019
TERMINATOR’s thought of as Arnold’s franchise. DARK FATE makes it clear he wasn’t the key ingredient that made it work. It was Linda Hamilton. She’s incredible in this, and the movie’s very solid. (I recently defended all the TERMINATOR sequels, so make of this what you will.) pic.twitter.com/3JSsac7LrL
— Matt Singer (@mattsinger) October 21, 2019
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