Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines Reviews

The first Terminator is among the best of its genre, and Terminator 2 is bigger, richer and every bit as fantastic a film, one of the few sequels to be as great as its predecessor (Aliens, Godfather Part 2 and the Toy Story sequels are also noteworthy in this regard). Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines is certainly better than the two films following it and it is not that bad a film, but it is nowhere near as good as the first two.

It is a bit unbalanced, with some misplaced and clumsily written comic relief that really does jars and there's far too much of it, and while the story is cohesive at least it is too more of the same, with in the first half not having anywhere near enough of the suspense and dark atmosphere (pretty predictable in fact), and some of the monologues ramble on too much, a few almost endless.

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines is a visually well-made film with a nice atmosphere with an appropriate darkness to it, it is slickly shot and edited and the special effects while not as stunning as the ones in Terminator 2 are solidly constructed. Jonathan Mostow is no James Cameron, but he does direct competently. There is a pulsating music score that has the right amount of energy and mysterious atmosphere while being too obvious, and while the script is uneven and not expansive enough with the characterisation it at least doesn't sound stilted and doesn't become so stupid that you're bashing your head repeatedly on a wall. Terminator's one liners are as wry as ever.

Regarding the action, it is still thrilling and expensive in look with some high-octane chases and well-choreographed action. While the first half drags and is not very well-written, the story really picks up and becomes more diverting with much more of the dark atmosphere as seen before. The cast are good, with Arnold Schwarzenegger coming off best in the title role, imposing, badness and sometimes amusing, while Kristanna Loken is surprisingly and suitably y poised. Claire Danes does a good job with a not so interesting character, and while Nick Stahl underwhelms sometimes , being a little stiff and dull to start with, he is a decent fit and improves dramatically as the film gets better.

All in all, not that bad but vastly inferior in quality to the first two films. 6.5/10 Bethany Cox

"Judgment Day. The end of the world. It's today, three hours from now."

There is only one true Terminator movie in this reviewer's eyes, and it was released in 1984 as The Terminator. Although 1991's Terminator 2: Judgment Day was an entertaining follow-up, it lacked the pitch-black tone of its predecessor and created holes in the franchise's mythology. 2003's Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines is another instalment that falls short of the motion picture which spawned it, but it's noticeably better than its shonky reputation implies. Without the participation of series mastermind James Cameron, the outlook for Terminator 3 was never overwhelmingly promising, but it surprises by being a genuinely entertaining action flick that plays out like a B-movie executed with A-grade production value.

Set roughly a decade after the events of T2, John Connor (Nick Stahl) has become a reclusive drifter, living off the grid to prevent the possibility of more Terminators finding him. 1997 has come and gone, with the predestined Judgment Day never having come to fruition. However, the computer system known as SkyNet has not given up on Connor yet, sending an advanced Terminator known as the Terminatrix, or T-X (Kristanna Loken), back in time to assassinate the future leader of the human resistance, as well as several of his lieutenants, including future bride Kate Brewster (Claire Danes). Once again, though, a T-101 Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is reprogrammed and sent back in time to serve as a protector for John and Kate. The T-101 explains that Judgment Day was only postponed, and the day of the Armageddon has at long last arrived. Although it's the Terminator's job to ensure the pair reach safety before the bombs are launched, John and Kate become determined to change destiny, convincing their cyborg protector to help them stop Judgment Day for good.

Written by John D. Brancato and Michael Ferris (The Net, The Game), Terminator 3 adheres to the basic narrative structure of the previous films, with new director Jonathan Mostow (U-571) using the well-worn narrative framework to connect a series of impressive action sequences. Thinking too deeply into the mythology behind Terminator 3 would be foolish. It was enough of a stretch for Terminator 2 to involve time travel after Kyle Reese stated in the first movie that the time displacement equipment had been destroyed, and it's equally dumbfounding here. It also begs the question once again: why would SkyNet stop sending Terminators back in time to kill John Connor? Why not send back hundreds of cyborgs? Such questions about paradoxes and so on in time-travelling adventures really make one's head hurt. Furthermore, T3 lacks heart, which is an element that Cameron introduced in the previous two movies. Thus, while Terminator 3 is exciting, it's not especially moving or powerful, and consequently the blockbuster never rises above its action roots to become something more transcendental.

Terminator 2 was softer compared to its brutally R-rated forerunner, and though T3 also carries an R rating, it does essentially feel like a glorified PG-13 (it's rated 12 in the UK). The movie is ultimately fairly sanitised, and while there are a few notably violent moments and some strong language, it lacks the visceral punch that was most notably evident in the original Terminator. Nevertheless, the technical execution of Terminator 3 is something to behold, with the reported $187 million price tag being put to good use. Surprisingly, although there is a fair amount of CGI here, Mostow and his crew do rely a lot on practical effects, with plenty of gigantic sets, some impressive make-up, and even a group of robo-tanks which were all executed practically. One of the centrepieces is an extended chase through the streets of Los Angeles (for which an entire street was constructed for shooting) that results in a lot of carnage and destruction. The action scenes are competent under Mostow's direction, which is a big plus considering the silliness of the entire enterprise. T3 also possesses a good sense of humour to prevent it from feeling like a drab remake of the previous movies. Not all of the jokes are funny (Arnie's gay pink sunnies...), but for the most part, Terminator 3 gels.

Schwarzenegger reportedly received a fair chunk of change to reprise his iconic role here, and it was a wise choice to bring back the veteran actor. Despite the twelve-year gap between movies, the Austrian Oak slips back into the role flawlessly, with the role of an emotionless robot still a perfect fit for the star's abilities. Arnie worked hard to get himself back into Terminator shape, and the effort paid off; he's large and in charge. Less successful is Stahl as John Connor. He's not as grating as Edward Furlong, but he's not the badass that we have come to associate with the character. And as Kate Brewster, Danes fares respectably in her first action role. It's not an especially deep character, and she lacks the spirit of Linda Hamilton's Sarah Connor, but Danes exhibits fine conviction. Meanwhile, Loken is not as memorable or as scary as Robert Patrick's T-1000 from Terminator 2, but she is moderately effective.

Even in spite of its numerous drawbacks and flaws, Terminator 3 is a fun enough blockbuster elevated by its unexpected sucker punch of a doomsday ending, which feels far more in keeping with the bleak tone of this franchise. After all, postponing Judgment Day again would simply feel forced. It is, quite simply, the ending that should have closed T2. As a Terminator movie, T3 is sadly lacking in many departments, but it does deliver as a summer action thrill ride with its impressive special effects and fun action scenes, just as long as you're not expecting too much.

6.1/10

I think they went to the well too many times for this last installment before the T4 re-think. The "bad guy" was even more unstoppable and the circumstances more improbable. I liked Nick Stahl and Claire Danes. Also, the first chase and crash sequence is a favorite.

Personally, I always thought that this flick was the least impressive and most underwhelming of the whole franchise. Yesterday, I watched it again with my step-son and I still have the same opinion about it (yes, I even prefer the 4th installment directed by McG). The main issue, in my opinion, is that it was exactly the same plot as part 1 and part 2 except that John Connor was now grown-up and there was this time a female terminator. At least with the 1st sequel, they managed to bring up enough new ideas to still make it interesting and many people think it is even better than the first installment. However, like most of the trilogies, this 3rd installment didn't provide anything new, original or interesting to the whole mythology. The only advantage it has it that it was made in the CGI time period and the special effects looked indeed pretty cool. And, indeed, as a stand-alone feature, it remains actually a well made and rather entertaining SF flick, no more and no less than that. To conclude, it never reached the level of its predecessors but still, when you think about it, it is not that bad and it is even worth a look, especially if you like the genre.

''I'm back.''

John Connor is now in his 20's, and a female terminator, called T-X or Terminatrix, is after him. Another T-101 is sent back through time to protect John once again on the verge of the rise of the machines.

Arnold Schwarzenegger: Terminator

The first two films in this franchise really set the franchise in immortal stone, the first a low budget cult classic, and the second an overblown but ultimately superb blockbuster action movie. But T-3 is a flawed project. First and foremost there was no James Cameron, meaning Jonathan Mostow got the job instead.

The Terminator is completely straight-edged and T-2 for all the one liners is serious when it needs to be. T-3 is however a different story. From the moment the TX's chest expands it feels silly, at times a little gratuitous. What I liked about the original and it's sequel was how cold and efficient the Terminators were when it came to the killing. In T-3 the deaths are over the top and pointlessly visceral. Why would the TX choose to carve a victim to death rather than just shoot or stab them? Surely that would save valuable time and attract less attention? For me the TX is a real shame in this picture. A female Terminator could have been poignantly chilling, potentially more terrifying than Arnie or Robert Patrick combines. But for some reason it just doesn't work, she's just not cunning, or relentless enough. The T-1000 remains far more intimidating in my book. My other concern is with John Connor. Okay so Ed Furlong was a little annoying in T-2 but at least he had had heart, a spark and initiative. I could perceive him as a leader because he had some BALLS. Nick Stahl just doesn't have any of that. John Connor is too pathetic, too resigned to things to be the hero he'll turn into. I understand maybe Mostow felt he needed to explore Connor a little, but it doesn't work.

''You are terminated.''

It's not all bad though, in fact far from it. T-3 has much to revive itself. As you'd expect the special effects are exceptional, and the action fast paced and easy to watch. The chase scenes are not as good as in T-2 but hey, it's hard to climb Everest twice. In particular Claire Danes is great as Caroline Brewster. Her resourcefulness and spirit despite not having a clue what's going on are hugely refreshing when placed aside Nick Stahl's Connor. And of course who can forget Arnie? The big man delivers enough solid display as a character it's hard not to like. Arnie also delivers one of the best lines in the series so far, ''Desire is irrelevant. I am a machine.''
My favourite part of the movie though, is the end. No i'm not being sarcastic. The ending scene at Crystal Peak is inspired, a wonderful ending to the film. Wheras The Terminator and T-2 needed positive endings, T-3 needed the opposite. The notion that John Connor and Caroline Brewster were only meant to survive, not change the course of history is a far better concept than having them stop Skynet again. Obviously it's leading into a sequel, and it's a fine way to do it. The ending to me is the only time the whole film really captures the spirit of the original, in which survival was the only thing that mattered.

T-3 is a worthy film, but it's not a great film like it's predecessors, and as such will always suffer unfavorable comparisons. Viewed objectively at times, it's very entertaining, but it doesn't do the serious stuff as well as The Terminator or the action sequences as well as T-2.

''Maybe the future has been written. I don't know; all I know is what the Terminator taught me; never stop fighting. And I never will. The battle has just begun.''