As of 2015, Jason Clarke has emerged as a formidable and reliable big screen presence. His work opposite Jessica Chastain in Zero Dark Thirty constituted a major breakthrough. Despite not being a fan of the film or Chastain's Oscar-nominated role, I was impressed with Clarke. In Terminator Genisys, he plays the iconic part of John Connor, made popular by Edward Furlong (Terminator 2: Judgement Day) and Christian Bale (Terminator Salvation). For at least twenty minutes, Clarke does a great job.

Early footage depicting Los Angeles 1984 receives a more than adequate mise en scene. For example, the couple walking by the alley just as a dog runs out illustrates director Alan Taylor's fondness for James Cameron's original lightning storm. However, nostalgia soon turns to anxiety as the story veers off in an unpleasant direction. Plot twists mount up like falling dominoes, while some characters appear from nowhere and the grasp on reality (albeit science fictional) proves a bit of a head scratcher.

Meanwhile, Arnold Schwarzenegger plays “Pops,” surrogate father to Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke). This back story seems even more bizarre than the time paradoxes. Also hitching a ride, Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney) discovers to his shock that the past has been rewritten. How? Hollywood rarely needs an excuse for such meddling.

The big twist in Terminator Genisys turns out to be no fun at all. Because Taylor adds so many improbable elements, it makes you wonder how many screenplay versions by Laeta Kalogridis and Patrick Lussier were left on set. While Cameron's entry made sense and featured a clearly mapped out journey, Taylor simply makes it up as he goes along -- often ditching perfectly suitable villains for the absurd. It’s a slap across the face for Terminator fans.

The much publicised bridge sequence unfolds at a retro clip. It's so run of the mill, I'd prefer watching ice lollies melt. Despite the relative freshness of Courtney and Clarke, they cannot shine because the script requires little from them in the way of wit or intrigue.

Overall, I found Terminator Genisys to be inconclusive. Rumours hinting at more sequels leave me cautious. Then again, I was initially unimpressed by Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines. So time can make a difference. After all, “the future is not set.”

(Released by Paramount Pictures and rated "PG-13" for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and gunplay throughout, partial nudity and brief strong language.)