James Cameron puts his stamp of approval on ‘Terminator Genisys’

The father of the “Terminator” franchise, James Cameron, has seen “Terminator Genisys,” and despite the befuddling title, he is impressed. So impressed, in fact, that he made a video stating just that. But also in this video is a bit of new footage that reveals the Terminator vs. Terminator showdown, and a few additional continuity changes.

“Terminator Genisys” takes place in a whole new timeline, generated by a whole new Arnold Schwarzenegger Terminator who goes back in time to, spoiler alert, raise Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke). Naturally, this massive deviation creates a ripple effect that will now and forever alter the “Terminator” franchise world as fans currently understand it.

Cameron calls the new film “respectful of the first two films,” which is a pretty big compliment coming from the director who made both “The Terminator” and “Terminator 2: Judgment Day.” This also subtly reinforces the fact that “Terminator Genisys” director Alan Taylor will be ignoring the third and fourth films from the “Terminator” franchise. Cameron continues speaking in the video, claiming the new movie “reinvigorates” the franchise.

And on a side note, it looks as though “Terminator Genisys” was all right with reusing vintage 1984 footage of Schwarzenegger, but not fine with adding in Bill Paxton’s big cameo. “Terminator” fact: The blue-haired “Punk Leader” from the original film was actually played by Paxton [warning: link contains R-rated material] of “Aliens” and “Big Love” fame. But this new, “Terminator Genisys” version has recast the character completely, and the new version clearly is devoid of any sort of theatrical accessories. How are we supposed to know he’s a street ruffian of the ‘80s without the tire-tread marks across his face? Perhaps punk Paxton is yet another “Terminator” moment that has been forever altered by “Terminator Genisys’ ” alternate timeline creation.

The footage also gives a great new look at the Terminator vs. Terminator standoff where the older Terminator (who was sent back to raise Sarah Connor) fights the original Terminator from the 1984 version, possibly while stark naked. What other canon changes will “Terminator Genisys” inflict? Only time will tell, as the movie doesn’t premiere until July 1.