Cast
View AllEmilia Clarke
as Sarah Connor
Jai Courtney
as Kyle Reese
Arnold Schwarzenegger
as Guardian / The Terminator
Jason Clarke
as John Connor
Matt Smith
as Alex / Skynet
J.K. Simmons
as O'Brien
Lee Byung-hun
as Cop / T-1000
Dayo Okeniyi
as Danny Dyson
Courtney B. Vance
as Miles Dyson
Michael Gladis
as Lieutenant Matias
Sandrine Holt
as Detective Cheung
Wayne Bastrup
as Young O'Brien
Gregory Alan Williams
as Detective Harding
Otto Sanchez
as Detective Timmons
Matty Ferraro
as Agent Janssen
Crew
Director
- Alan Taylor
Producer
- David Ellison
- Dana Goldberg
Reviews
Gimly
Some people have said that _Terminator: Genisys_ is disrespectful to its source material (first two films) but I disagree. Out of what is clearly a massive homage to _Judgement Day_, _Genisys_ gives away the entire plot and central “twist” in its promotional material months before its release, just like _Judgement Day_ did!
All levity aside, _Terminator: Genisys_ is not great. They took some risks with their casting and it didn’t explode in their face which is nice, a lot of the effects were very visually impressive, and it was fun to see the weapons of the future be purple lasers again, but these aren’t things that make a good movie by themselves. When you mix them up with a plot that doesn’t completely make sense, a story that’s just plain not all that great, some hammy dialogue and a lacklustre ending, then you SPOIL YOUR OWN DAMN MOVIE IN THE TRAILERS **AND** POSTERS, then you’re lucky to even be coming away with a middle of the road score like this one.
At least it’s not _Rise of the Machines_.
_Final rating: ★★ - Had some things that appeal to me, but a poor finished product._
Apr 5, 2020
GenerationofSwine
Terminator Salvation was pretty bad, but this brings it to a whole new level. What we have hear is a reboot of the canon that no one actually asked for, that no one actually wanted, and that makes really no sense.
Honestly, it's even worse than T3, which at least felt like a continuation of the series.
Here everything is changed so much that, well, there is nothing left. It took the entire Terminator franchise, and re-worked it to kill all the canon, all the mythology, for no apparent reason whatsoever.
And what you have left is a disheveled mess that is guaranteed to make the old fans give up and walk away because of the sheer needlessness alone.
Jan 12, 2023
Thematic Analysis
This high-octane Science Fiction/Action/Thriller/Adventure film balances spectacular sequences with character-driven moments. Unlike many films in the genre, Terminator Genisys distinguishes itself through a unique visual style and creative action choreography.
Director Alan Taylor brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2015, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Terminator Genisys took approximately 25 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $155.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 126 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 178 minutes long.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 10 months to complete.
- The film contains approximately 2107 individual shots.
- The screenplay went through 10 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
Historical Context
- In 2015, when this film is released:
- Political polarization was intensifying in many countries.
- Climate change awareness was becoming a central global concern.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Terminator Genisys shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike EONII, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Terminator Genisys subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Infinity Train and Terminator 2: Judgment Day explore similar territory, Terminator Genisys stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: June 23, 2015
- Runtime: 2h 6m
- Budget: $155,000,000
- Revenue: $440,603,537
Where to Watch


