The first reactions are in
Terminator fans around the US were surprised when screenings of Terminator 2: Judgement Day they attended turned out to be a premiere of the new film in the long-running franchise, Terminator: Dark Fate.
Organised by Alamo Drafhouse, the film was shown at 15 theatres across America and included an introduction by Linda Hamilton – who reprises her iconic role as Sarah Connor – and Arnold Schwarzenegger, who once again appears at the T-800 cyborg.
Reactions to the latest film in the franchise, which sees original creator James Cameron return as producer and co-writer, have been overwhelmingly positive with many saying it’s the best film in the franchise since 1991’s critically acclaimed T2.
You can read some of the reactions below.
Yo just got a surprise viewing of #TerminatorDarkFate and all I have to say is that it’s one of the best. It’s up there with T2 in Terminator movies. It had action, heart, and so much of what I loved about the originals. I can’t wait to go see this movie when it comes out. pic.twitter.com/8E5pZ7WN7c
— ♦️Juan “Sinister’s Cape” Chango ♦️ (@ChangoATX) October 21, 2019
We pulled a bait and switch at the @alamodrafthouse! Instead of the T2 fan screening they expected, audiences were treated to a surprise screening of @Terminator Dark Fate! Thanks for the kind words, and please, no spoilers for the folks seeing it this coming week. Love y’all??
— Gabriel Luna (@IamGabrielLuna) October 21, 2019
SURPRISE! We didn’t show T2, we showed @Terminator: DARK FATE tonight at our special screening! pic.twitter.com/MoHd9kSqsk
— Alamo San Antonio (@SA_Drafthouse) October 21, 2019
Terminator: Dark Fate is basically Terminator: The Force Awakens. A satisfying, exciting reboot that’s essentially the best parts of T1 & T2 in a blender. Davis, Reyes & Hamilton are excellent, the action wows & while it’s familiar, it’s easily the best T3 yet. Terminator is back pic.twitter.com/W1emrXIq5C
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) October 21, 2019
#TerminatorDarkFate delivers. This is the Terminator film that fans have been yearning for since T2. Arnold is back (he’s great) but it is Linda Hamilton & Mackenzie Davis who steal the show. As for the action sequences, they are impressive & some of the best I’ve seen all year. pic.twitter.com/xAzPzneob2
— Scott Menzel (@TheOtherScottM) October 21, 2019
#TerminatorDarkFate is a blast. Came for the return of Linda Hamilton (amazing) & reprisal of Schwarzenegger (badass) but was surprised and happy to come out caring most about Natalia Reyes’ Dani & Mackenzie Davis’ Grace. It gave me a lot of hope for where Terminator will go next pic.twitter.com/vfWPFwMnzS
— Terri Schwartz (@Terri_Schwartz) October 21, 2019
Is #TerminatorDarkFate the best since T2? Yup. Linda Hamilton’s return makes a BIG difference, Mackenzie Davis kicks all the ass, & Natalia Reyes is an excellent anchor. Gabriel Luna’s Rev-9 is a winner too. Physicality, VFX, fights – all spot on! Glad they gave this another go. pic.twitter.com/4Q1FNN49Hw
— Perri Nemiratu (@PNemiroff) October 21, 2019
#TerminatorDarkFate is probably the most ballsy terminator movie ever made!! Has heart pounding action, compelling story, & easily the best terminator movie since T2! Don’t let politics stop you from watching this MUST SEE terminator movie to make up for the last 3 bad ones?
— Cris Parker (@3CFilmReview) October 21, 2019
#TerminatorDarkFate is the best of the TERMINATOR sequels after T2. Easily among the year’s most entertaining action films, it’s thrilling, intense & non-stop, but also a sweet story about making things right. Arnold is great & Linda rules, but Mackenzie Davis THROWS DOWN pic.twitter.com/8TQ4Gpkkdr
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) October 21, 2019
I’ve been a fan of Mackenzie Davis since seeing her in ‘Halt and Catch Fire’. But she takes it to another level in #TerminatorDarkFate where she kicks all kinds of ass. If you like her work in Dark Fate, go back and watch #HaltandCatchFire. pic.twitter.com/P5gnqoXjFL
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) October 21, 2019
Back in August, producer James Cameron hinted that there’s a possibility more Terminator sequels could appear in the future.
“We spent several weeks breaking story and figuring out what type of story we wanted to tell, so we would have something to pitch Linda,” Cameron told Deadline.
“We rolled up our sleeves and started to break out the story and when we got a handle on something we looked at it as a three-film arc, so there is a greater story there to be told.
“If we get fortunate enough to make some money with Dark Fate we know exactly where we can go with the subsequent films.”
Terminator: Dark Fate is released on October 23.
