Terminator: Dark Fate (2019) is the sixth installment in the Terminator franchise and serves as a direct sequel to Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), ignoring the events of the other films in the series. Directed by Tim Miller and produced by James Cameron, who returned to the franchise for the first time since T2, the film brings back beloved characters and introduces a new generation of heroes, while continuing the saga of humanity’s fight against the machines.

Plot Summary:

The story takes place decades after the events of Terminator 2, where Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) and her son John successfully prevented Skynet from initiating Judgment Day. However, in a shocking opening sequence, a T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger) kills John Connor, leaving Sarah devastated.

In 2020, a new artificial intelligence, Legion, has replaced Skynet and sent a highly advanced Terminator called the Rev-9 (Gabriel Luna) back in time to kill Dani Ramos (Natalia Reyes), a young woman in Mexico. Unbeknownst to her, Dani is vital to the future resistance against Legion.

Grace (Mackenzie Davis), an enhanced human soldier from the future, is also sent back to protect Dani. Sarah Connor, now a hardened warrior, joins forces with Grace and Dani after receiving mysterious messages from an unknown source about the Terminator arrivals. The trio embarks on a journey to find the source of these messages, which leads them to Carl (Arnold Schwarzenegger), the same T-800 that killed John Connor years earlier. Now living as a human, Carl has developed a conscience and wants to help prevent Legion’s rise.

Together, the group faces off against the unstoppable Rev-9 in a series of intense, action-packed battles, leading to a final confrontation to secure Dani’s survival and alter the course of the future.

Key Themes:

1. Fate and Free Will: Much like the previous Terminator films, Dark Fate explores the concept of whether humanity can truly change its future or if certain events are inevitable. The theme of fighting against predetermined fate is central, especially in the context of Dani’s role in the future resistance.
2. Legacy and Passing the Torch: The film honors the legacy of the original Terminator films, particularly T2, while introducing new characters like Dani and Grace to carry the story forward. Sarah Connor, once the primary savior of humanity, now helps guide the new heroes in their fight.
3. Humanity vs. Technology: Continuing the franchise’s core theme, Dark Fate examines the ever-evolving conflict between humans and machines. As technology becomes more advanced and invasive, the question of whether humanity can coexist with or prevent the rise of destructive AIs remains relevant.
4. Redemption and Forgiveness: The character of Carl, the reprogrammed T-800 who killed John Connor, brings an element of redemption to the film. Carl’s guilt and attempts to atone for his past actions by helping Sarah and Dani highlight the idea that even machines can change, a key theme that reflects on the possibilities of redemption.

Characters:

• Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor: Hamilton’s return as Sarah Connor is one of the film’s highlights. Now grizzled and bitter after the loss of her son, Sarah has dedicated her life to hunting Terminators and preventing another apocalyptic future. Her character remains fierce, resilient, and deeply motivated by both loss and anger.
• Arnold Schwarzenegger as Carl / T-800: Schwarzenegger reprises his iconic role as the T-800, but this time with a twist. Having developed a conscience after completing his mission to kill John Connor, Carl has settled into a quiet life. His portrayal mixes humor, emotion, and the unstoppable physicality that made the character legendary.
• Mackenzie Davis as Grace: Grace is an augmented human soldier from the future, whose enhancements make her stronger, faster, and capable of taking on the Rev-9. Davis brings intensity and vulnerability to the role, as Grace is constantly battling the limits of her enhancements and her own mortality.
• Natalia Reyes as Dani Ramos: Dani is the key to humanity’s future resistance against Legion. Initially unaware of her importance, Dani evolves from an ordinary young woman into a strong leader over the course of the film. Reyes delivers a performance that showcases her transformation from helpless to empowered.
• Gabriel Luna as Rev-9: The Rev-9 is the latest in Terminator technology, capable of separating its liquid metal skin from its endoskeleton to act as two independent units. Luna’s portrayal of the Rev-9 is menacing and relentless, combining a cold, calculated intelligence with brute force.

Cinematic Highlights:

1. Action Sequences: Dark Fate delivers some of the franchise’s most intense and exhilarating action scenes, from a chaotic car chase through the streets of Mexico City to a climactic battle at the Hoover Dam. The film’s use of practical stunts and CGI creates seamless and visceral action moments.
2. Return of Sarah Connor: Linda Hamilton’s return as Sarah Connor after nearly three decades is a defining moment in the film. Her portrayal of an older, battle-hardened Sarah Connor adds emotional weight and nostalgia for fans of the original films.
3. The Rev-9 Terminator: The Rev-9’s ability to split into two distinct entities creates unique and unpredictable action scenes. The combination of liquid metal and solid endoskeleton gives the Terminator unprecedented versatility, making it one of the most dangerous foes in the series.
4. Carl’s Redemption Arc: The inclusion of Carl, a reformed T-800 living a peaceful human life, adds emotional depth to the story. His interactions with Sarah, in particular, are tense but also reveal his growth as a character beyond his original programming.

Reception:

While Terminator: Dark Fate was praised for bringing back the gritty tone and high-octane action of the earlier films, it received mixed reactions for its plot decisions, particularly the killing of John Connor in the opening scene. Some fans appreciated the passing of the torch to new characters, while others felt the film retreaded familiar ground without offering enough innovation.

However, Linda Hamilton’s return, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s performance, and the film’s visual effects were widely praised, with many considering it the best Terminator film since Judgment Day.

Conclusion:

Terminator: Dark Fate aimed to reboot the franchise by returning to its roots with the involvement of James Cameron and Linda Hamilton. The film balances nostalgia with new ideas, introducing a fresh set of characters while maintaining the high-stakes, action-packed energy that fans expect from the series. Although it faced challenges in satisfying both old and new audiences, Dark Fate stands as a worthy entry in the Terminator saga, bringing closure to Sarah Connor’s journey while exploring new possibilities for the future of humanity’s fight against the machines