Why Terminator Genisys failed.
By Edtrader Oct. 15th, 2021
Genisys was the film that was to bring the franchise back to the top. Here is a list of the questionable decisions that worked against the movie.
Genisys was the film that was to bring the franchise back to the top. Here is a list of the questionable decisions that worked against the movie.
#4. Arnold isn't The Box office Draw He Once Was.
I love Arnold, so many of his movies have made my cinematic life great. But a single star doesn't gather the attention that it once did. Now Arnold is still one of the top draws in the business. Even at his lowest now... he's still a foot above most. But it takes a Fast And The Furious or The Expendables-sized group of stars for an action movie to draw just on star power.
I'll go on a limb and say you need at least two proven, bankable, attention-grabbing, make you want to see this movie stars to bring in the cash for action films. And that's not a knock-on Arnold or action movie. Star power just does not carry the weight it once did. Now, it is still important in the industry. But once upon a time, when you saw a star... that movie was almost in profit. That isn't the case anymore. Even comedies need two stars these days.
#3. Kyle Reese Was Stupefied.
In the first movie, he's so in love with Sarah that he travels (literally) through space and time to save the woman he loves. It's one man vs. one machine. Which is the basis of this whole franchise: man vs. machine. The first mistake, however, is that in Genisys, they make Kyle into a bumbling idiot. He is so clueless as to what's going on. He was this tough warrior who knew what his mission was. Now it's so up in the air. He is the third wheel on the Sarah-Terminator bicycle. Most of that comes from the writing, obviously. Which is the first problem but certainly not the last.
I love Arnold, so many of his movies have made my cinematic life great. But a single star doesn't gather the attention that it once did. Now Arnold is still one of the top draws in the business. Even at his lowest now... he's still a foot above most. But it takes a Fast And The Furious or The Expendables-sized group of stars for an action movie to draw just on star power.
I'll go on a limb and say you need at least two proven, bankable, attention-grabbing, make you want to see this movie stars to bring in the cash for action films. And that's not a knock-on Arnold or action movie. Star power just does not carry the weight it once did. Now, it is still important in the industry. But once upon a time, when you saw a star... that movie was almost in profit. That isn't the case anymore. Even comedies need two stars these days.
#3. Kyle Reese Was Stupefied.
In the first movie, he's so in love with Sarah that he travels (literally) through space and time to save the woman he loves. It's one man vs. one machine. Which is the basis of this whole franchise: man vs. machine. The first mistake, however, is that in Genisys, they make Kyle into a bumbling idiot. He is so clueless as to what's going on. He was this tough warrior who knew what his mission was. Now it's so up in the air. He is the third wheel on the Sarah-Terminator bicycle. Most of that comes from the writing, obviously. Which is the first problem but certainly not the last.
Secondly, the casting of Kyle was a big blunder. There is a lot to be said about the fact that only Michael Biehn and Linda Hamilton could play Sarah and Kyle. Recasting a popular role is hard enough on its own.
First off, Jai Courtney is too big of a guy. And this isn't any kind of vanity or personal reason. Kyle Reese comes from a time where there is very little food, and you are constantly on the run. Michael Biehn was the perfect size for the part. As were the actors that played the character on Terminator Salvation and the TV show The Sarah Conner Chronicles.
The other reason is that Jai Courtney does not come off as a likeable hero. He comes off as sarcastic and pompous. There is a lack of diversity and character arc in the writing. But even if there were... he wouldn't have been able to pull it off.
#2. I've read reviews and fan comments that it is such a confusing timeline that has now been set. Is Kyle going to be John's dad now, in 2017, where the movie leaves off? Since John was conceived in 1984? So now things are all over the place. I totally agree with many of the comments.
#1. One of the things the movie did effectively was conveying heavy emotion when 'Pops' dies protecting Sarah. It mirrors the ending of T2. T1 and T2 both did this effectively. The protector dies, which is a huge part of the formula. T3 the hero dies, but it wasn't as impactful, granted. I don't think letting 'Pops" just come back as a T1000 in the end was the best way to go.
First off, Jai Courtney is too big of a guy. And this isn't any kind of vanity or personal reason. Kyle Reese comes from a time where there is very little food, and you are constantly on the run. Michael Biehn was the perfect size for the part. As were the actors that played the character on Terminator Salvation and the TV show The Sarah Conner Chronicles.
The other reason is that Jai Courtney does not come off as a likeable hero. He comes off as sarcastic and pompous. There is a lack of diversity and character arc in the writing. But even if there were... he wouldn't have been able to pull it off.
#2. I've read reviews and fan comments that it is such a confusing timeline that has now been set. Is Kyle going to be John's dad now, in 2017, where the movie leaves off? Since John was conceived in 1984? So now things are all over the place. I totally agree with many of the comments.
#1. One of the things the movie did effectively was conveying heavy emotion when 'Pops' dies protecting Sarah. It mirrors the ending of T2. T1 and T2 both did this effectively. The protector dies, which is a huge part of the formula. T3 the hero dies, but it wasn't as impactful, granted. I don't think letting 'Pops" just come back as a T1000 in the end was the best way to go.