There have been two blockbusters this season where American critics have mystified me. Sure, I didn’t much care for San Andreas, I did love Mad Max: Fury Road, and Jurassic World was disappointing but still worth a look. So, I agreed with most critics. When Spy came I thought some reviewers were a bit overexcited, but I chalked it up to exaggerated affection for Melissa McCarthy (she IS wonderful) and some misdirected love for girl power (Fury Road was far more interesting from a feminist viewpoint).
But then there’s the case of FuriousSeven and Terminator Genisys, and that’s where fanboys also enter the picture. The former film was very well received, with critics praising the action and the emotional send-off of the late Paul Walker. It started reaching somewhat ridiculous levels when some critics labeled FuriousSeven brilliant as if the fifth and sixth entries in the series hadn’t pulled off the same kind of stunts. No one seemed to be bothered by the fact that these characters have become so larger than life that nothing seems able to kill them no matter the outrageousness of the (largely CGI-animated) stunts. I gave the movie three stars out of five after briefly considering two. I had fun watching it – but I thought there was something dishonest in the way it was elevated as more than just cheap thrills, because of Walker’s death.
Then came Terminator Genisys. Granted, the film hasn’t opened yet in the U.S. and I’ve only read the Hollywood Reporter and Variety reviews. But I have also seen the movie at a press screening, and the reviews irritate me a bit – especially in light of the reception FuriousSeven got. I agree with the complaints about an overly complicated script involving several timelines. But there’s also a tone in the reviews suggesting that Arnold Schwarzenegger is old, and enough already. As if the Fast and Furious franchise deserves seven (7!) movies, where the plots are very similar. At least the Terminator sequels, all of them, have tried new things. Anyway. Genisys does what FuriousSeven did – deliver on a minor scale, with plenty of action and some lighthearted moments. It’s been done before, but it’s good enough for another round, even though we’re entitled to better stuff. But fanboys (and Terminator fanboys in particular) are very unforgiving. They won’t love the new movie; they hated the last two because they’re too stuck on the original. Not even James Cameron is – he’s endorsed the new movie.
I’m not gonna hate on fanboys too much. When it comes down to it, I’m originally one of them. Also, they’re like an advisory panel for Hollywood, guaranteeing that Tinseltown gets things right on superheroes etc. But I find it almost endearing how they are now fooling themselves into believing that, based on the great trailers, they fully expect to like the new Star Wars. Guys, you won’t. It doesn’t matter if it’s good or not. You’re too hung up on the original three movies to give it a chance, on its own.