Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines Review

by Homer Yen (homer_yen AT yahoo DOT com)
July 15th, 2003

"Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" - He's Back and in Good Form
by Homer Yen
(c) 2003

Even if Arnold Schwarzenegger has the dramatic range of a hammer and possesses the looks of a schnauzer, you have to admit a couple of things. First, he still looks incredibly buff and youthful, belying his 50-something age. In the opening sequence, we see his naked, chiseled silhouette. He has traveled here from the future, and travelling through time requires him to be naked for reasons that make science fiction what it is. But now that he has arrived to fulfill his mission, he must first find clothing. What better place to blend in than at a gay biker bar on lady's night? It's a clever idea that provides enough momentum to move the film along at a serviceable pace.

Second, he proves to be a durable action hero. He manages to appealingly convey the same no-nonsense approach that has earned him his tough guy stature in countless other movies. This movie plays to his strengths as the stoic, monotone-speaking, silent type. He says little but when it's time for him to do battle, you can imagine that his fighting skills will be more than ample.

In this third installment of the Terminator series, Ah-nold does very similar things that he did in the other films. He loyally protects John Connor (Nick Stahl), a figure that is instrumental in the future; he shoots off countless rounds of ammo and rockets; and he engages in some wild hand-to-hand combat against his nemesis, a virtually indestructible Terminatrix (Kristanna Loken) whose own primary mission is to kill John Connor.

Action sequences are truly in the full throttle mode because it seems almost impossible for either to be destroyed. In one sequence, the two throw each other down elevator shafts, through concrete walls, and shoot each other with enough bullets to take down a fighter jet. Even the chase scenes are super-sized, with one featuring a pursuit between a large fire truck and an even larger construction crane where three city blocks are leveled. It's enjoyably absurd.

The plot, however, is weak and some of the plot points are confusing. For example, a key point revolves around the paradox of time travel and a possible peek into humanity's future. This seems ripe for exploration and could provide some real meat to the film. However, the film relegates itself to, more or less, a very long chase, punctuated by narrow escapes, a smattering of dialogue to help usher us along, and a few comical moments.

Because the characters are not developed very well, the film is not as dark as it seems to want to be. Even the evil Terminatrix, while deadly, doesn't seem as threatening a creature as it should have been. Whenever she appeared, I kept thinking to myself, "ooh, what wonderful skin she has." Her plasma guns and flamethrowers were of secondary importance to me. Expect her to be the spokesmodel for Aveda or Estee Lauder very soon.
To enjoy this movie requires that you be able to enjoy the absurd. Summer films like this are more or less a showcase where audiences can see grander and more evolved special effects. You'll find lots of that here. The Terminator still endures. If there is a fourth installment, he'll be back.

Grade: B-

S: 2 out of 3
L: 1 out of 3
V: 3 out of 3

More on 'Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines'...


Originally posted in the rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup. Copyright belongs to original author unless otherwise stated. We take no responsibilities nor do we endorse the contents of this review.