Terminator: Genisys

The fifth film in the Terminator franchise isn't nearly as good as the original or its first sequel, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, both by James Cameron. Thankfully, it's slightly better than the third and fourth Terminator films (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines and Terminator: Salvation), films made while Cameron was off doing other things like Titanic and his jazzed-up Smurf movie. There are lots of tricks played within the storyline using the time travel gimmick, skewing the whole Terminator universe out of whack. This gives director Alan Taylor the chance to revisit and recreate events from the original Terminator, including naked Arnold Schwarzenegger's first scene as the steely-eyed cyborg. The results are often fun, but a little chaotic and sloppy at times. Schwarzenegger returns to his most iconic role as an aging Terminator cyborg, and he's easily the best thing about the movie. Emilia Clarke is a washout as Sarah Connor, Jason Clarke is all wrong for John Connor, and Jail Courtney absolutely stinks as Kyle Reese. They are no matches for the actors who have played the roles before. There's enough good action and crazy time travel stuff to get over the fact that bad, misguided acting abounds.