Terminator Genisys Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Terminator Genisys" on Blu-ray offers an impressive visual spectacle, both in 3D and 2D formats. Utilizing 1080p/MVC MPEG-4 for the 3D encoding and 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 for 2D encoding, the film delivers with sharp detail and vibrant colors. The 3D version shines with terrific depth and volume, providing a natural sense of space whether it’s the sprawling landscapes of the future or more intimate settings like a plane interior. Characters, machines, and even battle wounds possess a tangible depth. Action scenes are enhanced by dynamic spatial awareness, with debris and weapons extending beyond the screen's confines, creating a quite immersive experience. However, minor crosstalk effects were occasionally noted.

On the other hand, the 2D disc narrates a different but equally captivating visual story. Exceptional resolution and crispness characterize the imagery, with a texture that impresses throughout the film. Despite a predominantly dark color palette, colors like the Golden Gate Bridge's vibrant red, school bus yellow, and purple laser blasts stand out flawlessly. Black levels are deep yet detailed, crucial for the movie's many shadowy sequences. Noise, banding, and aliasing are absent in this meticulous transfer. Interestingly, while not originally shot in native 3D, 'Genisys' effectively emulates a staged production that unravels depth realistically as if it was intended for 3D from the start. The 3D version indeed amplifies the dimensional feel provided by its 2D counterpart.

Despite some minor distractions in the 3D experience—such as occasional lens flares and certain shaky cam scenes—the overall presentation remains robust and engrossing. The Blu-ray ensures that both formats present the film's visual narrative with striking clarity and defined textures, making it a must-watch for fans and audiophiles alike.

"Terminator Genisys" arrives on Blu-ray featuring a Dolby Atmos (core Dolby TrueHD 7.1 lossless) soundtrack that demonstrates an exceptional level of audio engineering. This review focuses on the 7.1 mix. From the onset, the mix is dynamic and engaging, starting with the Paramount stars that pierce through the soundstage with remarkable clarity and weight. The initial nuclear war scene delivers robust missile launches and explosions, filling the soundstage with a complex array of sounds that effectively convey the horrors of warfare. Explosions resonate with full-bodied impact while laser blasts and drones dynamically maneuver through the auditory space. The transition to past timeframes maintains this high quality of sound design, ensuring that crashes, debris, and gunfire remain precisely detailed and immersive. The music offers excellent clarity and wide placement, while dialogue benefits from natural reverberation when contextually appropriate.

The Dolby Atmos track for "Terminator Genisys" is replete with power and nuance. The wartime introduction offers an enveloping experience, portraying relentless gunfire and explosions with a 360-degree dynamic range. The sound mix adeptly incorporates the distinct clanks of metal amidst the chaos, providing an authentic sensory replication of a battlefield atmosphere. Bass and LFE elements are effectively utilized throughout the film. Moreover, off-screen sounds are consistently and thoughtfully layered into the mix, ensuring environmental effects—from elevators dings to traffic noise—are seamlessly integrated. Special attention has been given to the sound associated with the terminator's mechanics, which is reflected in a meticulously crafted array of layered tones.

The soundtrack's music mix is equally comprehensive, harmoniously blending with dialogue and sound effects. Instances such as Sarah Connor listening to The Ramones' "I Wanna Be Sedated" showcase the nuanced mixing capabilities; music floods all channels from her perspective but smartly drops in volume when the focus shifts to the action around her. Whether observed critically or enjoyed passively, the audio mix for "Terminator Genisys" offers an exceptional listening experience that stands out for its detail and immersive quality.

The "Terminator Genisys" Blu-ray extras provide an in-depth look at the film's production and the creative minds behind it. These featurettes are detailed, technically rich, and maintain a professional tone that appeals to enthusiasts and experts alike. "Family Dynamics" highlights the ensemble cast, delving into the characters and roles played by both lead and supporting actors, with insights from the cast and crew. "Infiltration and Termination" offers a comprehensive walkthrough of the film’s major sequences, detailing the shooting locations, set construction, and key moments in a cohesive narrative. "Upgrades: VFX of Terminator: Genisys" explores the intricate process of visual effects, focusing on challenging visual sequences such as the digitally recreated young Arnold and the T-1000. Despite its brevity, it adds significant value to understanding the film's VFX prowess.

Extras included in this disc:

• Family Dynamics: Cast and crew discuss the international cast and character portrayals.
• Infiltration and Termination: Detailed look at shooting locations, set construction, and key moments.
• Upgrades: VFX of Terminator: Genisys: Examination of visual effects creation, including young Arnold and T-1000 effects.

"Terminator Genisys" grapples with high expectations and complex lore that ultimately lead to a mixed cinematic experience. Directed by Alan Taylor, the film opens with thrilling and well-crafted future war sequences, seamlessly blending action and narrative. The visual effects are noteworthy, maintaining a high standard throughout the movie. The initial portions pay compelling homage to the original film, with meticulously recreated scenes and clever twists that delight fans momentarily. However, as the plot progresses, the movie loses direction. Frequent deviations and attempts to rework franchise history create a convoluted narrative, ultimately weakening the cohesion that made earlier entries so compelling.

The casting in "Terminator Genisys" is another point of contention. Long-standing fans may find it difficult to embrace new actors in iconic roles. While Jason Clarke, Jai Courtney, and Emilia Clarke deliver acceptable performances, their portrayals lack the depth and authenticity of their predecessors. Arnold Schwarzenegger's return as an elder 'Pops' offers moments of nostalgic charm but often veers into unnecessary comic relief, detracting from the character's previous stoic gravitas. Additionally, the heavy-handed humor, especially revolving around Reese and Connor's dynamic, feels forced and undermines dramatic tension. The screenplay attempts to balance action and humor akin to "T2," but fails to recapture the original films' magic.

Despite these missteps, "Terminator Genisys" brings a playful and engaging tone reminiscent of "Terminator 2: Judgment Day." The alternate universe reboot approach showcases creativity but struggles with fan service versus innovation. The film’s PG-13 rating raises concerns about continuity and dilutes its visceral impact. For instance, scenes intended to showcase brutal violence are significantly toned down to fit this rating, reducing realism and consequence. While "Terminator Genisys" is not without merit, offering fans moments of satisfaction, it also endures criticism for its incoherent narrative, miscast roles, and overreliance on humor, reflecting a franchise at odds with itself.

"Terminator Genisys" struggles to balance nostalgia with innovation, attempting to merge established elements with new twists. While it nods respectfully to the high standards set by James Cameron, the film falters with predictable and unimpressive action sequences and a divisive narrative choice that turns a beloved character into a villain. This ambitious yet flawed approach results in a somewhat entertaining but ultimately underwhelming addition to the franchise. Despite its shortcomings, the Blu-ray 3D release impresses with exceptional video and audio quality, featuring sharp 3D visuals and immersive sound design.

Arnold Schwarzenegger's portrayal of an aging T-800 model stands as a metaphor for the franchise itself - old but not obsolete. "Terminator Genisys" represents the most engaging entry since "Terminator 2: Judgment Day," blending creativity with homage to past films. As an alternate universe reboot, it respects established lore while injecting fresh elements. The Blu-ray combo pack excels technically with pristine 3D and 2D video presentations and exemplary sound mixing, though it is somewhat lacking in bonus features.

In conclusion, while "Terminator Genisys" may not be the strongest installment in the series, it offers enough entertainment value for a casual viewing. Paramount's Blu-ray 3D release is an excellent showcase of modern home media capabilities, recommended for fans seeking high-quality audiovisual experience. Despite its narrative missteps, this release merits a place in any Terminator enthusiast's collection.