Terminator: Dark Fate review

[fardell24]

Terminator: Dark Fate
The sixth movie in the Terminator series, that follows on from the second film, Terminator 2: Judgement Day (with Rise of the Machines, Salvation and Genisys retconned out of the continuity). Again, an Artificial Intelligence rises against humanity, this time called Legion instead of Skynet. However, that is jumping ahead. The movie opens with Sarah Connor recaping what originally happened, with Skynet and it's sending back of Terminators to kill herself and her son, John. The revelation that one succeeding in killing him is appropriately shocking.
But the it is the effects of that event on Sarah Connor that adds more interest to what would otherwise be a so-so film. More on Sarah's role in the film below. Then we see the arrival of Grace, the human (more-or-less) from the future. The interaction with the young Mexican couple who want to help her (and with the arriving police) was done rather well. This sets up Grace's character in an interesting way. As more, fragile, than Kyle Reece. Then there is the introduction to Dani and her family.
Also their situation. Dani is shown as a highly motivated young woman, who looks out for her family. (Reminding her father of his doctor's appointment and going in to negotiate with her boss about her brother being replaced by a robot.) At the same time the Rev-9 is introduced, arriving at the apartment complex where the Ramos family lives. The coincidental arrival of Grace and the Rev-9 at the auto-factory was done rather well. The initial scenes of the Rev-9 attempting to terminate Dani in the factory were done rather well.
As was the chase on the motorway. Appropriately chaotic, with Sarah Connor arriving towards the end. Sarah is competent in attempting to fight off the Terminator. But she doesn't know that this is a different Terminator than what she's familiar with. Dani having to deal with her grief for her father and brother while looking after Grace was a good look at her character. (But, having to use pharmaceuticals to get Grace to recover from the encounter with the Terminator? Wouldn't it have been better to have her recover after an appropriate meal?)
The chase to Texas. Riding on a train, and then Dani's uncle helps them across the border. The conversation on the train regarding Dani's role in the future resistance vs. John Connors role was an interesting discussion. Of course, miscommunication plays a role. Grace thinks that Sarah is being obtuse and and doesn't want to give away that it's Dani, not any of her offspring who would lead the resistance. Then they come to the border, where they have an experience with the detainment camps for 'unauthorised arrivals'.
(The less said about that the better. But the scenes there were well acted and choreographed.) Carl. Turns out that the Terminator who had succeeded in killing John and got a new purpose, raising a family, and also sending Sarah after newly arriving Terminators. And Grace had his coordinates tattooed on her to seek help. An interesting addition. Sarah is clearly unforgiving and only begrudgingly joins him to help keep Dani alive. All these scenes are done very well. Drapery? It works.
Even the scenes in the C5 work. (Clearly some time was spent in the 'Vomit Comet'.) It could be a little difficult to follow, but still enjoyable. (Overall the thing that cut into the enjoyment would be the visceral violence. If one is squeamish...) The ending, where both Grace and Carl sacrifice themselves to destroy the Rev-9 was rather good, as was the scene where Dani and Sarah watch young Grace playing. Overall, a good movie, but it can't match T2. 8.4/10.