The latest installment in the roller-coaster franchise that is the “Terminator” films has received mixed reviews, mostly being written off as over-reaching and too difficult to follow. What I admire about these films, however, is their ability to find so many different ways of solving the same problem over and over again. How many paths can you take to the same destination? Apparently, Skydance Productions intends to find out.

I can’t pretend I was particularly blown away by any action sequences in this film. We’ve all seen the Golden Gate Bridge collapse in every apocalypse movie ever made, and the robots look as creepy and metallic as ever. However, this movie sets itself apart from its predecessors, “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines” and “Terminator: Salvation,” by drawing in on the characters and their various relationships. You’ve got Kyle Reese (played by “Divergent” star Jai Courtney), a child mentored by his own son thanks to an alternate timeline, who grows up to protect his future love, Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke), who in turn has developed a father/daughter relationship with the T-800 Terminator (the ever-flawless Arnold Schwarzenegger) sent to protect her (or kill her, depending on which Terminator and which timeline we’re talking about). The character development showcased in “Genisys” is reminiscent of the series’ best films, “The Terminator” and “T2: Judgement Day” which both balanced characters and action well.

That being said, there are some stunning sequences to be seen. Gun fights, explosions and sweaty yelling abound, and they’re well-paced enough that they never become tiring. It’s just that the acting blows everything else out of the water. Courtney is on his way to becoming the next Bruce Willis – he has action hero good looks and the talent to back it up, demonstrated especially in some particularly emotional scenes in “Genisys”. Arnie proves that pushing 70 means nothing when you’re the freakin’ Terminator, and delivers a performance that is not only classic but entertaining as heck.

The real star here, however, is Clarke. When Kyle Reese is sent back to protect Sarah from a T-1000 dispatched to kill her, he expects to find a wide-eyed, defenseless waitress. Instead, Sarah is a stone-cold killing machine in pleasantly loose-fitting battle gear. She’s a gun-toting, foul-mouthed bada*s, but she doesn’t sacrifice her femininity to get there. She’s a heroine who toes the line well between stubbornly independent and pathetically helpless, and she is so much more than a pawn here – she’s the undisputed queen. The theme of fate and choices is most strongly represented in Sarah, who is in a constant battle with the role she is destined to play – a role she feels forced into, and desperate to escape. Clarke brings a commanding elegance to the role, undoubtedly drawing from her “Game of Thrones” persona.

Overall, “Terminator: Genisys” is worth seeing in theaters. There’s not much about it that stands out among action flicks, but it’s full of treats for fans of the old “Terminator” films and has plenty of fresh plot to keep new fans entertained throughout the two hour run time.

The Specifics

Plot: A bit hard to follow sometimes, but the characters manage to explain what’s happening in a way that doesn’t feel like spoon-fed exposition.

Acting: Fantastic. The trio of stars bring a depth you don’t see in action flicks very often.

Sights and Sounds: Busses flip. Helicopters explode. Buildings collapse. It’s every action-hound’s dream.

Re-Watch Value: Moderate. As a huge fan of the “Terminator” series, I know this installment will join the lineup of my annual marathons.

Final Cut: 3.5/5

Theater information and show times can be found at:

http://www.fandango.com/cinemarkcinema6_aaink/theaterpage