Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
Directed by Jonathan Mostow
Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nick Stahl, Claire Danes, Kristanna Loken and David Andrews
Rated R for strong sci-fi violence and action, and for language and brief nudity

Okay, raise your hand if you thought that Terminator 3 was going to be really shitty. Come on, I know more of you thought that it would suck. Well if you look around you will probably see a lot of hands, one of which belongs to me. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that T3 is the greatest movie ever or that it even comes close to the level set by the first two Terminator films, but as far as action flicks go these days, its not bad. The main problem this film has is that the story seems way too much like T2, but not nearly as well done. Which probably has something to do with the fact that James Cameron had nothing to do with this film. Which, despite Titanic, is a shame. Plus this movie really never should have been made because the story pretty much ends in T2. But if you can look by those things, this is not a bad movie.

So you probably have never heard of this film’s director Jonathan Mostow. Neither had I. He directed U-571, which had Bon Jovi in it, but still caused me to fall asleep at the theater, something I rarely do. But Mostow appears to be a competent director. He certainly hasn’t figured out how to make an action film quite like James Cameron does, but he has at least figured out how to make a decent action film. When you compare this film with many other recent action films, you will find this one to be above average. Mostow doesn’t really take any chances with the film, but he also doesn’t fuck things up. He is probably
the first director since 1999 to direct an action film that doesn’t directly rip off of the Matrix. He also doesn’t do any stupid Michael Bay type shots with goofy close-ups and bizarre color schemes. And this makes the film much more watchable and enjoyable. I would have certainly liked it if he had stayed farther away from the storyline of T2, but that’s probably the fault of the screenwriters rather than Mostow. The CGI effects were alright, but certainly nothing to be overly excited about. I think T2 is probably still more impressive with its special effects than T3 is, especially when you consider the difference of 12 years between the films.

To analyze the acting in this film is difficult. Both Schwarzenegger and the T-X, Kristanna Loken, basically have no lines in this film. I guess they seem believable as robots, not that I really know how a cybernetic organism is supposed to behave, mind you. But Schwarzenegger does have several funny lines, which are really only funny because he says them, much like all his funny lines in every movie he’s been in. Plus its nice to see him doing a film that is not retarded
for a change. Loken is decent as the new Terminator, but doesn’t live up to the standards set by Robert Patrick in T2, who is possibly the best film villain ever.

The question on most people’s minds though was why John Conner was played by Nick Stahl and not Edward Furlong. Well the answer, according to imdb.com, is that Edward Furlong is still battling a drug addiction. But not too worry, Nick Stahl is a good replacement. He doesn’t exude the same attitude that Furlong did as John Conner in T2, but he’s still pretty good. The same cannot be said though for Claire Danes. She sucks. And boy is she whiney.

Overall, Terminator 3, is a pretty good action flick. No, its not as good as Terminator or Terminator 2, but its better than most action movies you’ll see these days. In fact I think my biggest problem with the film is the fact that it is included in the Terminator series. If this film just stood on its own and there were no prior Terminator films, I would like it better. But there was a standard set by James Cameron and Mostow just didn’t live up to it. Maybe T4 will be better. T4? Yep. There will most likely be at T4. This one just doesn’t end the saga like T2 did. There is much more story to tell. The only reason that T4 won’t be made is that T3 didn’t do as well as expected in its opening weekend and that Arnold has said he isn’t interested in doing another one. But if Cameron signs on for it, anything can happen. And let’s hope he does.

Rating 60%