Women Dominate and Triumph in Terminator: Dark Fate

Arnold Schwarznegger has become just as synonymous  with The Terminator just as Stallone has with the Rocky franchise.  However, this chapter doesn’t focus on The Terminator himself, but on the badass women who take over with grit, gusto and gripping action sequences.

When that opening sequence presents washed up bones on shore and takes us to Mexico 22 years later with naked people dropping form the sky, you know some ish is about to go down.  Grace (Mackenzie Davis) has one mission and is determined to complete it by any means necessary- to save Daniella ‘Dani’ Ramos (Natalia Reyes).  While attempting to do just that, she is saved by Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), who also has a vested interest in Dani surviving the target on her head. After all, more than 20 years ago, Skynet was assigned to deliver the same fate awaiting Dani, to annihilate her and her son by any means necessary.

Yes, the film is formaic.  No, it’s not without it corny factor.  Yes, it was hella exciting to watch a more than 20 year-old franchise handed over to not only to a trio of strong, kick-butt women, but a Latina leading lady whose commitment and bond with Grace and Sarah is undeniable as they protect one another from ill fates.  Not to mention the fact, that Dani’s family is shown as loving, playing and solid.  An image often manipulated for Latino families on screen.  Often times, we see families of color through the lens of less than fortunate circumstances and portrayed as gangbangers, drug dealers…you get the point.  Dani and her family were hard working and loving, which for this female person of color was refreshing to witness even if it was in a post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller franchise.

Of course, this film would be nothing without my girl Linda Hamilton aka  Sarah Connor.   As an outlaw who’s knocking off Terminators ever since Arnold’s T-800 killed Edward Furlong’s John. Hamilton, in her fly aviator shades is weilding and pointing guns the size of cannons and anchoring the film with that I been there done that and I don’t give a f–k attitude gave me much joy.

The film wouldn’t be complete without Schwarznegger dropping a few of his famous one-liners infusing the excitement of this franchise for a whole new generation.  The girl power, action sequences and familiarity of a film that has been a staple for generations, Terminator: Dark Fate is a gripping, gritty reboot of the best kind and hosts theatres on November 1st.  I’ll definitely ‘be back.