| Terminator 3:The Rise Of The Machines (2003) Cast:Arnold Schwarzenegger,Nick Stahl,Claire Danes,Kristanna Loken Arnold Schwarzenegger returns as The Terminator once again sent back in time to protect John Connor from a new cyborg who was build specifically to destroy terminators and has the power to control any machine in this surprisingly character driven sequel which benefits from a definite meaner edge than most other movies.. Terminator 3 actually manages to live up to the hype set up by the blurbsters. There are many times to be skeptical when it comes to anyone claiming this to be "The best action movie of the year" however Terminator 3 does manage to hold it's own in the genre, it's not as good as the first two, mind you but it is Schwarzenegger's best in ages and in that it makes sense why Schwarzenegger has returned to the series that made him a star in the first place. The story this time is a little more complicated as Terminator 2 didn't really leave much room for a sequel, however it is explained that you can only put off your destiny and that any attempts to change the future is futile at best. It's why the machines failed in the first place and indeed our heroes' attempts in the second film to prevent the nuclear holocaust was all in vain. There is an underlying message that our destiny is set and it isn't until the end where the pieces all come together to draw the conclusions set up by the first two movies. Indeed the movie is downbeat and where as the first two offered up far more upbeat conclusions (Although somewhat somber) there is nothing but sadness in the conclusion. The only real flaw here is the robot assassin played by Kristana Loken. Loken is decent in the role but easily makes the most lightweight villain, lacking Schwarzenegger's rough imposing edge and Patrick's silent subtle mannerisms. Indeed the plot feels a tad rushed but it's an ambious production and I for one walked away satisfied. D.Johnathon Mostow ***1/2 |