The Summer of IMAX 3D continues with “Terminator Genisys.”
From “Avengers: The Age of Ultron,” through “Tomorrowland,” “San Andreas” and “Jurassic World,” and now “”Terminator Genisys,” it has been like a bi-monthly showcase of the superior cinematic experience that IMAX 3D can deliver even when the movie itself is not five-stars.
Even the extended IMAX-exclusive teaser for “Ant Man” showing before “Genisys” offers some very compelling use of 3D for the Marvel IMAX 3D movie opening July 17.
In no other type of theater will your entire body literally feel the rumbling impact of explosions, collapsing buildings, and crunching vehicles as you will in an IMAX theater showing of “Terminator Genisys.”
Likewise, there has never been a more stunning view of the Griffith Observatory on a hill overlooking Hollywood than in the rising aerial 3D shot on the giant IMAX screen. Nor the Golden Gate Bridge or the hills of San Francisco. The 3D is employed to maximum effect during a scene in which a school bus comandeered by our human heroes Sarah Conner (Emilia Clarke) and Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney), is dangling vertically off the bridge while our robot hero Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger now called “Pops” by Sarah) is reaching over to try to save them.
Unfortunately, the thumbs-up aspects of the movie pretty much end there. The movie itself feels like a warmed-over version of the 1991 “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” with many of the same types of robots and situations, but without the tenacity and convincing toughness of the character of Sarah Conner, with very elementary and obvious attempts at humor and catchphrases, and with far too many preposterous storylines about time travel and alternate universes.
Even the fourth installment in this franchise, the 2009 “Terminator Salvation,” had a more compelling and original storyline, as did the 2008 TV series “The Sarah Conner Chronicles,” the latter of which also had a necessarily much stronger Sarah Conner.
Nonetheless, there are just enough decent action sequences and nostalgic moments with Schwarzenegger, coupled with the stunning technical elements to make it worth the premium price of an IMAX 3D ticket.
— By Scott Hettrick