I want to do something different when it comes to discussing movies that have been announced or are on their way to being released. Usually, I just post a preview with a trailer and some information about the film, but they just seem kind of bare-bones. This is a different kind of preview format as it were. This format, though, will only be used for certain kinds of movies like sequels, reboots or stuff like that. Otherwise, I’ll just use my previous format. So, in the first section, Good Idea, I’m going to talk about the potential good stuff that is being brought to the film in terms of casting, director, or story line. The second section I will use to give my opposing thoughts to said movie or project. The first topic of discussion for Good Idea/Bad Idea(which is no way, whatsoever, in any form related to the skit on the Animaniacs cartoon) will be for Terminator 6, which was announced some time ago. So…let’s get into it.
GOOD IDEA:
When Terminator Genisys hit theaters, it was met with mostly mixed and negative reviews. While the film picked up ticket sales in China, the American release of the film was a complete disaster. As a result, Paramount Pictures decided to put the franchise on hold for a time while decisions were being made about the future of Terminator. As it turns out, Arnold Schwarzenegger had expressed interest in returning for another film. Over the past few months, things started coming together, and Arnold is indeed slated to return in the franchise that made him a super-star. That’s a good thing for sure, as Arnold has been one of the main reasons why people go to these movies in the first place. Next up, the director of 2016’s Deadpool, is slated to direct Terminator 6, or whatever it will be called later on. Deadpool was freaking awesome and one of the best comic-book movies ever made. I think Tim is going to be a perfect fit as the director. Now, HERE’S where it starts getting interesting: James Cameron, who wrote and directed the original two films is coming back to the franchise that kick-started his career. Obviously not as a director, as he’s busy directing the next 4 Avatar movies. Bringing Cameron in as a producer allows him to have more direct control over things are done. While Miller will direct, Cameron is going to be making sure it’s done right. This is a HUGE win for the franchise right now, as the rights are slated to return to Cameron in 2019. For some recent news, Linda Hamilton, who played Sarah Connor in the original two films, is being brought back to reprise the role. This is important for a number of reasons: One, Terminator 6 is said to be a direct sequel to Terminator 2, which means the film in some fashion will ignore the events of Terminators 3,4 and 5. Two: There is a possibility that the new film could be based on the T2 sequel novel trilogy which were released in 2001, 2003, and 2004 respectively and were written by S.M. Stirling. As far as I’m concerned, those books were a proper Terminator 3. I don’t know if the new film will go that way, but it will be interesting to see if it does. Overall, I’m genuinely interested in seeing what happens here.
BAD IDEA:
With the announcement of a new Terminator film comes a number of problems. One, people are getting tired of sequels, reboots and stuff like that. The box-office performance of 2017’s summer is proof of that. Also, having only one stellar sequel that was followed up by three weak-ass entries, Terminator 6 is going to have some serious issues getting people to put their butts into seats, especially if you consider that the last two films were rated PG-13. 6 movies in a franchise that didn’t need to go past two is going to be a hard pill to swallow for a lot of people. I didn’t hate the other movies, but everyone pretty much agrees that Terminator 2 is the best sequel in the series, bar none. Trying for a direct sequel to one of the greatest films ever made is going to be a major challenge and not a lot of people are going to go for it. This is not like Star Wars where the universe is extremely vast. There are very few directions that this could go. It was also announced that T6 would be the first in a new trilogy. Here’s the problem: Terminator Genisys tried to be the first in a new trilogy, but everybody knows how that one turned out. It’s a gamble, but they really need to nail this one if they ever want the franchise to continue. It also needs to be rated R from here on out.
CONCLUSION:
I’m being cautiously optimistic about this for a number of reasons. One: James Cameron is going to be directly involved. Two: Linda Hamilton is coming back and that’s possibly going to add some more emotional heft to the story. Three: It’s going to potentially side-step the third, fourth and fifth movies entirely as a direct sequel to the second film. Terminator 6 is going to have some major hurdles to get over, but I’m starting to get excited about an honest-to-God good sequel to Terminator 2. Time is going to tell whether this one gets knocked out of the park or is locked in the dog house…..with the T-1000 coming to put it out of its misery. Please be good. Please be good. Please be good.