Fourth of July weekend starts early in movieland. There are two big releases, both of which come out July 1—one for the macho men, and one for the ladies. (Or that’s what Hollywood seems to think).
Terminator Genisys
He told us he would be back, and he is. Arnold Schwarzenegger (or as I like to say, Aaaaahhhhhhnaaaahld) returns as the Terminator. But in this weird time-traveling plot, he’s a protector of Sarah Connor (played by Emilia Clarke of Game of Thrones), not a killer. Sarah’s son, John Connor (Jason Clarke), sends (Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney), to return from the future to save his mother from a Terminator assassin. With the two men’s help and Sarah’s badass gunslinging, the team fights to alter the future and save humanity (because humanity is always near extinction in the future). The plot might be confusing, but ask yourself, aren’t you really just paying the $12 to hear Aaaaahnaaahld say, “I’ll be back”?
Perfect For: Fans of the original Terminator movies as well sci-fi fans and fans of dystopian fiction. Probably not for the tiny people in your household.
What the Critics Say: Writes Soren Anderson from The Seattle Times, “Plenty of noisy cyborg-on-cyborg CG violence with lots of clangy metallic head-butt action is part of the mix. Sound and fury, signifying it’s past time to put this franchise out to pasture.” And says Rogerebert.com, “Terminator Genisys” turns unfortunately jokey and self-referential, to the point that it borders on parody… Schwarzenegger has turned into your elderly uncle, dancing like a goofball at your wedding after a couple glasses of champagne.” With a 26% Rotten Tomatometer rating, it’s not likely to garner any Oscar nominations.
Our Take: Good, brainless fun.
Watch the Trailer:
Magic Mike XXL
Another sequel, although this one from the more recent past. Most of the boys from Magic Mike return except Alex Pettyfer, Matthew McConaughey and director Steven Soderberg, who made the first movie about a group of male strippers into a compelling and dramatic movie. (I know, it’s hard to believe, but behind all that beefcake was heart). This go-round finds Mike three years removed from the scene, with his former pals still going at it but looking to quit. Of course there has to be one big show before they all dance off into the sunset. From the looks of the trailer, the new Mike has ditched the drama and cranked up the camp (the tagline is “Come Again”). Channing Tatum even does a Flashdance-inspired dance, which might firmly put this in the ladies-and-gay-men outing for the holiday weekend.
Perfect For: You want to look at chiseled abs for two hours. (Not for kiddies).
What the Critics Say: With a Rotten Tomatometer score of 59%, critics are split. Writes Linda Holmes from NPR, “This movie… is so infectiously, brazenly pleased about literally everything that happens in it that it’s hard not to leave in the same frame of mind.” On the other hand, Preston Jones of the Fort Worth Star Telegram says, “Delivered with all the subtlety of a crotch to the face, Magic Mike XXL is one of the most cynical, shallow sequels in memory.
Our Take: You make the call. It’s disappointing that it lacks the heft of the first movie, but I suppose I could dry my tears on Channing Tatum’s chest.
Watch the Trailer:
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