Reel Critics: Relentless action works for ‘Terminator: Genisys’

Arnold Schwarzenegger built a movie and political career on his performance in the original “Terminator” film. He is much older but definitely not obsolete in the fifth installment of the franchise. Saving the human race from the deadly advance of computerized machines remains the central plot point of the new “Terminator Genisys.”

The screenplay begins with a major summary of the previous movies to bring the audience up to speed. Emilia Clarke playing matriarch Sarah Connor joins Arnold to add a dynamite female action star to the hard charging story. Ever more advanced robots from the future try to annihilate Sarah and prevent her son from being born to save the world.

Fantastic special effects and time travel complications push the science fiction scenario into hyper drive. CGI graphics make multiple versions of Arnold’s robot character appear simultaneously on screen with humorous effects.

While the cosmic developments are confusing at times, the action is relentless and spectacular. Employing many ideas from the first two films, this one is sure to please fans of this genre. They will see exactly what they expect from this series.

—John Depko

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‘Mike’ is Pec-tacular

“Magic Mike XXL,” the sequel to the 2012 box office hit about male strippers, reunites most of the original cast with guns blazing.

Channing Tatum (who worked as a real-life Magic Mike) has retired from performing and is now a furniture designer. The business is the only thing about him that is small scale.

But Magic Mike was born to dance and his Kings of Tampa buddies — including Matt Bomer, Kevin Nash, Adam Rodriguez and Joe Manganiello — have no problem recruiting Mike to join them for one last dance at a major stripper convention in South Carolina.

This time around, there’s no Matthew McConaughey to lend the demented sleaze of the first film. Instead of drugs and debauchery, now they’re into breezy charm, healthy yogurt recipes and thinking about a life beyond the g-string.

The road trip does start with some pretty limp dialogue but things begin to soar once they start coming up with new routines.

They visit a club owned by Mike’s former flame, Rome (Jada Pinkett Smith) which features athletic, highly charged dances by Stephen (tWitch) Boss and NFL star/morning TV host Michael Strahan. Dressed in ordinary jeans, these guys don’t need a fireman’s helmet to generate smoke.

The Kings realize it’s all about making the ladies feel like queens, and that in turn inspires them to do their best work. When Manganiello tries to win the attention of a bored convenience store clerk, it’s sexy, hilarious and endearing all at once.

The last chapter of “Magic Mike XXL” is as raucous as those ladies flinging dollar bills like confetti, with more inventive, athletic choreography that packs an even bigger “wow” than before. All in all, it’s abs-olutely fun.

—Susanne Perez

JOHN DEPKO is a retired senior investigator for the Orange County public defender’s office. He lives in Costa Mesa and works as a licensed private investigator. SUSANNE PEREZ lives in Costa Mesa and is an executive assistant for a company in Irvine.