Terminator: Dark Fate

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: November 1, 2019

3.9	USER SCORE Generally unfavorable reviews based on 977 Ratings

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Captain_ChaosFeb 25, 2021

I was excited for Dark Fate when I heard about it, especially when I saw who was attached to the production. However, I heard nothing but bad things about the film and it disappeared from my radar as quickly as it had arrived.

On a whim,I was excited for Dark Fate when I heard about it, especially when I saw who was attached to the production. However, I heard nothing but bad things about the film and it disappeared from my radar as quickly as it had arrived.

On a whim, following a brief conversation with a friend regarding the series, I decided to go find an upload of Dark Fate to watch. What I got was a solid, almost old-school action flick: car chases, explosions, sustained automatic weapons fire and a plane falling out of the sky, with pretty good CG throughout, and a surprisingly female cast for a film of this nature. In particular I enjoyed Mackenzie Davis' cyborg commando character Grace.

In retrospect, it's hard for me to sift through all the hate this movie got. I am sure some dislike the writing, and that's probably the most valid complaint. I myself don't know what to feel about removing John Connor from the story so abruptly. On the other hand, Genesys, which I also admittedly enjoyed, had written the series into a corner. When making a sixth installment of a franchise or indeed any sequel after 2, I suppose you are going to have to choose between doing the same but more or doing something different. Dark Fate is actually a little bit of both, perhaps by virtue of time travel. It is not necessarily an ending to Sarah Connor's story, but it is the beginning of Dani Ramos's. Or maybe not, given the reviews.

But I also wonder how much hate the movie got because of its cast and locations. The story begins in Mexico. Of the four leads there are three women and one Arnold, and one of those women, the "new John Connor", is Mexican. Given that you can't walk a half a block these days without tripping over a gaggle of reactionary, regressive idiots that bandy around terms like "SJW" and "get woke go broke", it makes one wonder.

I'm sure series "purists" didn't care for the film either, which evidently extends to at least some of the production staff given their decision to ignore every film after T2. I didn't know what to expect from Linda Hamilton, but her vitriolic, tired old warrior character, with her almost audience-surrogate delivery of simple two word, 50% profanity responses to the insane **** happening to the protagonists was pretty great. She could have phoned it in, and to some it might look like she did- but compare her to Sigourney Weaver in Alien: Resurrection and you'll see the difference.

I enjoyed Arnold in this film as well, even if he was kind of a strange artifact in the story. It's possible his character could have been removed without affecting the plot- but then how would Sarah have found all those terminators?

Terminator: Dark Fate is not a film without problems, but I think it's a decent action movie and a decent Terminator as well. I would put it ahead of Genesys and Salvation. Maybe on par with T3.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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Sierra-117Nov 17, 2019

Terminator dark fate is being hailed by some as a return to form for the franchise, and by others another dull, cash grab sequel, but for me it’s neither. After the massive failure of a film that was genesis, I was half expecting this toTerminator dark fate is being hailed by some as a return to form for the franchise, and by others another dull, cash grab sequel, but for me it’s neither. After the massive failure of a film that was genesis, I was half expecting this to absolutely suck and half expecting it to be amazing, and when I actually went out to watch it i wasn’t disappointed. Sure it’s not nearly as great as the original 2 films but dark fate is a thrilling and immensely enjoyable action flick and is still worth the watch. The movie introduces two important new characters; Dani and Grace, and although they are both perfectly acted I found it kind of hard to connect with them. I suppose grace was easier to root for because we were given flashbacks/forwards to her future which gave us some backstory, but overall I felt they struggled to feel unique unlike characters like Kyle Reece. Linda Hamilton makes a return as the much loved Sarah Connor, but having been out of the game for so long falls flat and forces the majority of her lines. Arnie is also back, but this time manages to keep his head above water with a performance that, for Arnie, is above standard. There are some interesting concepts in this film, such as Arnie being a remnant of a future that never happened, and the future that did happen being far worse. Unfortunately the new threat ‘legion’ feels contrived, as does the movies villain who just feels like a one up from the one from T2. He suffers from the darth maul effect, after already having a red, blue and green lightsaber they make a double edged one, and then one with a lightsaber hand guard (Kylo ren) so one so fourth. The biggest highlight of this film, doesn’t come From the acting or the story but rather the beautifully choreographed action sequences and top notch CGI. The movie is visually stunning and never has any problems with bad special effects. This one quality, is the one thing that really stops this entry to an overdone franchise from living in the shadow of its predecessors. Dark fate although at times feeling like a bit of a cash grab, is an immensely enjoyable action film with impressive effects and memorable acting and therefore it gets a 7/10 from me.… Expand

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

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VirtualreviewNov 22, 2019

Tbh, I wondered about the user **** I found the flick ok. Was it perhaps because I did not expect so much?
I found the characters very good. Grace is really badass and plays her role pleasantly authentic, without much cringe. Arnie and LindaTbh, I wondered about the user **** I found the flick ok. Was it perhaps because I did not expect so much?
I found the characters very good. Grace is really badass and plays her role pleasantly authentic, without much cringe. Arnie and Linda also surprised me. Arnies deadpan humor is adorable. Both were set in scene in an appropriate way. I guess producers could have made many things worse. I also found it cool to locate the first half of the story in Mexico - the chase thru mexico, featured like a roadmovie. I liked that.
I guess the story (in principles of the whole franchise) is the only real downside. The overall topic is always the same, somebody arrives from the future to prevent the judgment day (in the broadest sense). Now producers have to carefully make up their minds on how to proceed with the franchise.

Bottom line: The topic of the Terminator franchise (incl Dark Fate) unfortunately comes without intriguing elements. It is solely due to the theatrical performance and the well-drawn characters that I can still recommend the film!… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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BruceWangDec 21, 2019

Not a perfect movie but I enjoyed it. However am sick or reboots/remakes. Want to see more original ideas.

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

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JRTMDec 31, 2019

It's a bad story with one good screenplay,
( terminator 2: the julgament day It's + good).

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IamHonestFeb 23, 2020

It was better then I expected. This movie gave me no anxiety. Had some funny moments. Arnold was a nice surprise. Not bad for a moment when you are tired and just want to shut your brain off for a few of hours.

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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GazMoviesSep 13, 2020

Wasn't as bad as I remembered it being at the pictures it is a very fast pace with plenty of action and the story which was the main thing I disliked at the Cinema when I first watched it wasn't as bad as I remembered. Dark Fate is way betterWasn't as bad as I remembered it being at the pictures it is a very fast pace with plenty of action and the story which was the main thing I disliked at the Cinema when I first watched it wasn't as bad as I remembered. Dark Fate is way better than Genisys the last Terminator outing.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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Neoimtheone1981Oct 16, 2020

Never really understood why this had so much criticism because I enjoyed it and that's all that matters to me. Even my wife liked it and she's usually picky about, just about everything.

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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mousecop98Nov 5, 2020

Although the plot is admittedly incoherent at points and the movie suffers from pacing issues, it’s still better than any of the post-T2 movies and definitely an improvement over Genisys. It might not do anything drastically innovative orAlthough the plot is admittedly incoherent at points and the movie suffers from pacing issues, it’s still better than any of the post-T2 movies and definitely an improvement over Genisys. It might not do anything drastically innovative or original, but the action sequences and seeing Arnold on the big screen again salvage this one for me.… Expand

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Bistra031May 5, 2021

1 of best Terminator movies ever made. Love all references but it's unique, awesomely directed, fun to watch, interesting new characters and great actors

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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ChunkDumpDec 22, 2020

great way to bring back some old classic characters but the last few movies before this one ruined the franchise. great action, slim comedic moments, new evil terminator is dope. bilingual? im in.