Terminal 2018 * 1/2 Stars

Director: Vaughn Stein
Year: 2018
Rated NR
Rating: * 1/2 Stars
Cast: Margot Robbie, Mike Meyers, Simon Pegg

Margot Robbie gives a decent performance as a sicko femme fatale. Simon Pegg branches out in a distressed supporting role. Dexter Fletcher keeps his thick "Lock, Stock" accent alive and kicking. Lastly, Mike Myers strives for an acting comeback with so-so results.

Yup, I'm talking about the troupers involved in 2018's Terminal, my latest review. Cloaked in pretension and set in fantasy-land, Terminal involves two twin sisters getting revenge on certain denizens that have randomly traumatized them. In truth, this film won't compel you, shock you, or disturb you enough. Terminal projects style for the sake of style and contains plot twists that are inserted just for the heck of it. It's like Usual Suspects meets The Prestige but sadly, it's the "play dumb" version.

Note to Terminal's conventional and rookie director show off, Mr. Vaughn Stein: Ridley Scott called. He says he wants his futuristic aerial shots back and his look-see lighting. Also, Terry Gilliam phoned in and says he wants his offbeat camera angles back too. Did I mention that Philip Noyce is a little disappointed that you copied his surveillance shtick a la 1993's Sliver? Finally, don't try to make Terminal out to be a film that thinks it's more apt than it really is. That's just plain annoying bruh.

Anyway, Terminal might have delayed its release had it not been for Robbie's inclination of getting nominated for an Oscar just months earlier. This flick is the equivalent of doltish British film noir, complete with lathered neon lights, circling ciggie smoke, dream-like elements, a Frank Miller remnant, and a look of chronic darkness. It's a Blade Runner wannabe. It's edited to be clever but the script will bore you silly. Finally, Terminal is a movie that a certain Minnesota-born helmer would have made had he not been concentrating on telling the story of Don Quixote (see last paragraph). Bottom line: Terminal may be earnest in its execution and obviously rift with darkened ideals. Still, its existence is "terminally" unnecessary. Rating: 1 and a half stars.

Written by Jesse Burleson