FILM – TERMINATOR – DARK FATE – mayhem, destruction and violence

25 October 2019.

By Neptune

TERMINATOR – DARK FATE **1/2

Would you believe – it’s back again! Back with all the mayhem, destruction and violence, plus a much older Linda Hamilton and Arnie Schwartzenegger himself. The kids will be lapping up all the terrifying action (and absorbing it in their psyche…), while many adults, who find themselves there for some mysterious reason, may close their eyes for some respite, but to no avail – the soundtrack doesn’t let up. 

When the mayhem abates for a bit, this hopefully last chapter (though not likely) settles down to a coherent story connecting the very beginnings of the saga to the present somewhere in Mexico (an Arnie nudge at Trump’s border mess?). Actually the writing is good, as is the ensemble acting, especially the young “enhanced human” called Grace, played by the lovely Mackenzie Davis, and a tough, strutting Hamilton. It’s directed by Tim Miller (“Deadpool”) and written by James Cameron of “Titanic” fame, and incidentally, the ex-husband of Linda Hamilton. Go at your own peril.

By the way, can robots age? 

FAHIM ***1/2 (vo French)

Here’s a gentle yet passionate true story about a few human beings trying to do their best in life. Fahim (a fine Assad Ahmed) is a Bangladeshi boy who is a natural whiz at chess.

Believing in his son’s talent, his father leaves his family behind to take Fahim to France. There they confront the cold reality of so many refugees: lack of housing, money, work and a legal reason to stay in the country.

But then there is a chess school for youngsters run by a growling tyrant of an instructor played by the always-majestic Gérard Depardieu and his kind, sunny assistant, lovingly played by Isabelle Nanty. They take little Fahim in hand, but there are still many hurdles to surmount, mainly their lack of funds and the question of asylum.

Your heart will be in your throat for this stranded, but spunky father-son duo, so do run to this uplifting biography of the real Fahim Mohammed, directed by Pierre-François Martin-Laval.

Next time a man comes around selling roses at your restaurant table…buy one.

Superb **** Very Good *** Good ** Mediocre * Miserable – no stars

By Neptune

Neptune Ravar Ingwersen reviews film extensively for publications in Switzerland. She views 4 to 8 films a week and her aim is to sort the wheat from the chaff for readers.

Click here for past reviews.

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