Despite a few flaws, T3 lives up to the Terminator standards.
Written: Jul 02 '03
Product Rating:
Pros: Action, revives Terminator storyline, follows plot faithfully, special effects, and you just can't beat Ah-nold
Cons: Some plot holes, no Linda Carter, no James Cameron, some (limited) cheesy one-liners
The Bottom Line: Terminator 3 definitely lives up to the franchise name, is executed faithfully with great enjoyment, and I don't think it will disappoint most fans.
toolhead's Full Review: Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
Foreward: I've worked to incorporate little to no spoilers of actual storyline and plot-twists revealed throughout the movie, so have no fear...you can still go see it in the theater without having me ruin the ending for you. Thanks for reading.
I just returned from tonight's sneak-peek movie theater preview of the unbelievably highly-anticipated sequel to the beloved Terminator series, and was hoping to be the first one to have the honor of bestowing a humble review on Epinions for the film, but unfortunately, due to the hour-long drive home it took for myself and my friend Bryan (who attended the showing together) to get back from our nearest Cineplex, I've obviously lost that race. An hour-long drive for a movie neither one of us were overly excited about seeing (both us have seen and enjoyed the two previous Terminator films, though you could hardly call us 'obsessive fans') might seem a bit nuts, and actually, the movie wasn't even the primary reason we made the trip into 'the big city', but I am happy to tell you that our time on the road/in line/waiting inside the theater would not have been ill-spent, were the movie our only purpose for attending. In my eyes, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, is worthy of the Terminator title, as it is a sequel that is both faithful to its predecessors, and highly enjoyable on its own, as well. It did have a few minor setbacks scattered throughout, but none of which (particularly on first viewing) were severe enough to detract from the overall enjoyability of the film. If you are one of the innumerable fans that are looking forward to seeing the successful recipe that combined high-adrenaline action, state of the art special effects, eight-cylinder carnage and violence, as well as a healthy dose of post-apocalyptic plotline in order to make the first two movies so memorable, then I don't think you will be let down with T3. I give it a strong and confident recommendation to fans of the movies, both new and old.
Admittedly, it's been a long time since fans have been treated to another tasting of the Terminator, as the original movie debuted in theaters in 1984 (it's as old as the person reviewing it here for you), and it's sequel, T2: Judgement Day, was released seven years later in 1991. To say that the wait between the first two films was frustrating would be an understatement...thusly, to say the anticipation and high-expectations for T3 were growing to a fever pitch, as the third movie in the cult-hit science fiction series was released a whopping twelve years after T2. That kind of wait is almost unheard of in the movie business (well, except for Star Wars, and look at how much of a comparative letdown Episode 1 was, when examined by the standards that made the original trilogy such a smash). To add to the apprehension, previous director James Cameron (also of Titantic, Breakdown, and The Abyss) decided to step out of his role behind the camera in this one, and newcomer Jonathon Mostow had a mighty big pair of shoes to fill in order to deliver the goods to a fidgety crowd of fans that had been waiting over a decade for another Terminator sequel. Fortunately, although some of the trademarks that made Cameron's directing style and flavor so memorable are absent (some of which are very obvious, including his involvement in deeper plot development), Mostow does indeed provide his audience with a movie that is very likely to provide a two-hour long for both old-school fans and relative newcomers alike. Although movie-goers who have not previously seen the first two films will be sure to find themselves very much out of the loop for the majority of the movie (even veteran fans of the film would do well to rent the first two flicks a week before viewing T3 in the theater), those who have followed the series intently throughout the years will be rewarded with numerous references, flashbacks, and vague citations to the previous films, Terminator 2 in particular (the inclusion of the psychiatric doctor from T2 was a familiar face and a nice touch). Although some scenes in the movie are a bit sore, playing too intently on either high-octane action sequences or overtly dramative/explanative dialogue between characters, it's fair to say that Mostow does an ultimately faithful job to maintaining the balance of explosive action, revolutionary camera tricks, and a unique, flavorful plotline that made the first two movies worth watching.
One of the movie's main strong points, obviously, is the fact that the movie's production team was able to rope action movie legend Arnold Schwarzeneggar into his familiar 'part I vas boan to play, babee' role as the Terminator. Arnold is truly the only man on the planet that can even be imagined in this role as the cold, desensitized, emotionless cyborg sent back in time to kill/save/save again his primary target, John Conner (this time, portrayed quite accurately by young acting buff Nick Stahl). It's a nice treat for audiences to know that, despite the fact that Schwarzeneggar still maintains the same dark, calculated, out-and-out badass attitude that he provided in the first two movies, he does have a few moments in which a slightly more human, compassionate demeanor is able to shine out from under that metallic android body of his. One of the few setbacks of the movie is the fact that his T-800 character is treated to numerous 'jokes' throughout the film, which increases the comic relief level to what some fans may view as a little excessive, but never reaches the point of irritability. Fortunately, most of said cheesy one-liners are either a) open to interpretation, and not inherently funny (it's the irony of it all that make most of them laugh-worthy), or b) inside jokes that older fans will get (a few T2 references come to mind). Arnold also appears to be in top shape for the chaotic, mindlessly violent action sequences he must participate in (of which there are many, particularly in the first hour of the film), and I still don't get the impression that he is too old, tired, or, dare I say it, fragile for this, his most famous role. It's hard to believe this 55 years old, has gone through heart surgery, and is still handling some gun duel/car chase/explosive helicopter scenes that would leave most of the up-and-coming action heroes of todays cinema shaking in their boots (Vin Deisel, eat your heart out). Overall, Arnold doesn't add much new fascination or depth to his tried-and-true role as the T-800 model Terminator, but he is able to portray the character just as well, if not better, as he did in both movies that followed it.
That having been said about Mr. Schwarzeneggar's acting abilities, let's focus on other main characters in the film. As I previously stated, Nick Stahl (best known for his role in the recently Oscar-nominated hit, In The Bedroom) plays a twenty-something John Conner with better ability and finesse than his predecessor, Edward Furlong, did in T2, adding a bit more depth, personality, and character to the uber-important role of the man who will ultimately lead man's uprising against the machines dedicated to killing them. Stahl, partly due to some better-than-average writing from the screenplay authors, is able to give more attention to the responsibility, guilt, and inner-struggle that trouble this young man who already knows his life is fated to separate the difference between survival and extinction for the human race. Although there are some scenes that left me wanting a little more focus on the very human qualities (both good and bad) of John Conner, I can't say I noticed any glaring faults in Stahl's acting in T3. Not outstanding...but he gets the job done.
Up next is John Conner's (initially) ill-fated love interest, one Catheryn Brewster, played with adequate success by up-and-coming actress Claire Danes. Danes, who also appeared in the critically-acclaimed films Igby Goes Down and The Hours in 2002, portrays this quirky character with appropriate acting skills, although to some degree, the character herself is written a bit weakly (especially with her tangled up 'falling in' with John Conner, which is less than believable throughout the movie, and is set up farrrr too conveniently to be wholly believable). However, Danes works best with what she's given, and does not give a weak performance, whatsoever. She is able to sway in and out of both the character's sensitive, compassionate side as a doctor at a veterenarian's clinic as well as the more aggressive, gung-ho side toward the film's ending ("You remind me of my mom," Conner tells Brewster, after she fires off a round of semi-automatic bulletfire, destroying a homicidal machine). David Andrews plays her father, Commander Robert Brewster, head of the CRI, and the man who is ultimately responsible for the creation of Skynet (thus prompting the rise of the machines, as well as judgement day itself). This character in particular I think would have been a lot more interesting if explored to a more thorough degree, but instead of focusing on actual motives and humanistic traits of the character, he is instead a carbon-copy version of the same old generic military figurehead movie audiences have come to know and dread over the years. For such an immense role in the overall plotline in the entire trilogy's plotline, it's a shame that he was given neither the successful writing or acting needed to make this character relatable or very memorable.
Finally, playing the part of T-X, the newest and deadliest model in the line of Terminator cybernetic organisms is the lovely (read: 'schwing!!-worthy') Kristanna Loken, who, according to my research, is stepping into any significant film role for the first time. For how new she is to the acting scene, she portrays the character of the sly, sexy, cyborg assassin with surprising accuracy and grace. Unfortunately, due to the fact that the whole lot of her scenes are purely action-based (I would say that over 80% of the actress' screentime involves her shooting, dodging, driving, killing, stabbing, or blowing up something), it is very uncertain just how trained an actress Loken is thus far, but as far as her role in T3, she is able to fill the shoes of the film's lone antagonist, and fill them well. Much like Robert Patrick in the role of the T-1000 before her, Loken provides the look and feel of a diabolically cold, heartless killing machine with astounding ability, providing ample amounts of grace and skill mixed with out-and-out brutality to create a (fairly) believable enemy for the film. One unfortunate matter for the young actress may be the fact that the majority of her predominantly young, heterosexual male audience will be more entranced with her 'cybernetic mammaries' than any amount of acting skill she possesses, but then again, something tells me that when they casted T3, they weren't looking for sheer acting ability in order to fill the starring role of the T-X villan. All the guys in the audience will rest-assured that, yes, Kristanna is riding high on the babe-it-tude meter throughout the entire movie (her opening scene, like both Terminator units before her, starts with her appearing from a space-time portal, completely nude), but while you're busy drooling over the numerous 'goods' she brings to the screen (I, too, found myself slipping into the realm of 'sex appeal > acting ability' a couple times during the film...she's not an easy sight to turn away from, for sure), try and focus on the genuine focus and skill she brings to the role. For a newcomer in cinema, Miss Loken is already off and running...I hope that we'll be treated to even superior performances in future roles.
As usual, the adrenaline pumping action scenes are ample and (generally) tasteful throughout the entire film, with the bulk of them packed in the first 45 and final 20 minutes of the movie. The motorist chase scene, very similar to the semi/bike-escape scene in T2, is one of the first and most memorable action sequences, and is approximately ten minutes of nothing but explosions, sirens, gun shots, more explosions, fire, twisted metal, and even more explosions to finish it off. Not what you'd call classic cinema, but this is one of the most exciting, well-executed scenes of its kind in years. I typically judge my engagement in a film by how often I notice the 'cigarette burns' in the upper right-hand corner of the screen (see Fight Club or handy movie industry guidebook if you don't get the reference), and I was so engrossed by the film that I only took notice to one or two of these throughout the entire 110-minute long film, and this wasn't until well over halfway through the movie. There is enough action, excitement, and mindless (though rarely useless, or even worse, plotless) violence in the movie to keep any guy my age excited throughout the movie, and it seems clear that the director, cinematographers, and stunt coordinators took there time in making sure their most heart-racing (occasionally even heart-stopping) scenes would pay off. I also noticed a pretty impressive use of pacing and suspense throughout the movie, something that has been largely missing in most film lately...this is best demonstrated during the previously-mentioned car chase scene, as well as the air-based action sequence during the movie's finale (you'll recognize it when you get there).
I have no grievances with the special effects, whatsoever...as usual, even in spite of former director James Cameron, the movie makes use of the latest in CGI-rendering technologies, something that was very necessary throughout the entire film, particularly in the creation of the T-X unit, when the 'skin' of actress Kristanna Loken would melt/meld away from its standard form. The depictions of the barren, war-torn future Earth were also realistic and impressive on this front, as were any scene involving nuclear explosions. After all, since T3's plot does center (largely) around the actions that made man rebel against the machines that had turned against him, you had to expect the nuclear attacks to be underway in the film...and fortunately, they are executed in a manner that is both aesthetic and eerily pleasing to the eye, somehow. Another nice bonus is the fact that, during scenes in which human actors simply could not be used (there are a few), it's difficult to tell that the characters are completely computer-generated, something that never fails to detract from the realistic and believable qualities of a film. In other words, it's not the Matrix or Spiderman, and unlike those films, if you want to analyze which actors are human and which are computer creations, you have to look pretty hard. Wonderful special effects, all around.
One thing I noticed that was not nearly as present or well-executed as it was on the previous films was the soundtrack...I mean, c'mon, "the Terminator theme" rocks, and it's used, what, once throughout the entire movie, and that's just at the ending credits! This part of the movie needed the most work overall, I thought, but then again, if my biggest gripe is the movie's score, you have a pretty good idea of just how flawed it is(n't)...
Lastly, but certainly never least(ly), is the ever-important plotline that not merely revolves around the movie itself, but ties everything together. Without a solid, reasonably believable plotline, the film would be reduced to nothing more than explosions and violence for a solid two hours, but with too much emphasis on plot, you begin to detract from the ever-important action and special effects sequences, which (for better or worse) is what lures most of the audience to the theater in the first place. In short, it's a balancing act, and it was up to both the director and the playwrights of T3 to make sure that they didn't dabble too far in either direction and trip from their fragile position of neutrality. Fortunately, though the movie does tend to focus more on the adrenaline-rushing excitement of action-packed scenes and high-budget special effects, the plot does manage to carry its own weight in the movie, not letting down viewers or ever betraying the already pre-established storyline from the first two movies in the series. As I stated earlier, T3 focuses largely on the launch of Skynet, the machines initial assault (mainly nuclear) on mankind, and the apocalyptic future that protagonist John Conner will play a massive (yet still not completely assured) role in. Even though I would like to see more plot development in the movie, particularly of man's world after the nuclear holocaust ensues, I didn't leave the theater feeling unsatisfied with the way the story was carried out...there are already talks of T4 being released (god knows when, though I've heard it's already in the preliminary stages of production), and hopefully, this (and the equally hopeful possibility of even more sequels) might tie together all the loose ends that have, thus far, made the Terminator plotline vastly enjoyable, but not wholly understandable or believable. Nevertheless, the plot was not overly neglected in this movie, and it seems to carry on in line with the already well-established storyline that came before it. Good call on everybody's part.
I would recommend Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines to fans of the following films: Preadator, The Matrix series, The Aliens series, Blade Runner, certain post-modern anime series (Armatage and Akira come to mind), Total Recall, and, of course, the first two Terminator films. Oh yeah, and let's not Kindergarten Cop, too. I would also recommend fans of T3 go out and see these fine movies, as well.
Another point worth mentioning is the fairly intense amount of true 'adult content' in this film...I'm typically opposed to censorship in any form (any censoring in this movie would've probably made it a less enjoyable film, overall), but if you're a parent, leave your kids at home for this one. Were I in your place, I wouldn't let any of my children under the ages of 16 or 15 (max) go see this film without my consent (it is rated R for a reason), but then again, I'm sure my (completely hypothetical) parenting style is a lot different then yours. T3 contained a gratuitous amount of violence, as well as generous amounts of swearing and nudity, and although I was in no way offended by this, more 'conservative' viewers may be. This, like T1 and T2 before it, is not a movie geared at the particularly young, elderly, or weak-of-heart. Use your best judgment on this one.
Bottom line? I'm glad you asked. I had originally intended to point this out at the beginning of the review, but I am not a fan of action movies, in almost any shape or form (Preadator and the Army of Darkness movies being key exceptions to this rule). I think that the vast majority of trashy 'films' released today contain too much violence, action, and pseudo-impressive special effects in an attempt to keep viewers from noticing just how weak the subtler (er, fundamental) elements of cinema, such as great acting, directing, and writing, have been completely ignored. With T3, however, I was impressed by almost everything the movie had to offer, and even though I am far from a major fan of the series, I feel that people who have enjoyed these films since their debut, nearly twenty years ago (hard to believe, eh?) will be largely pleased with its contents. Newbies may want to rent and watch Terminator and Terminator 2 at least once before going to see this one in theaters, but even those who are new to the series can find high enjoyment level in this film. Even though it does have its select flaws (I didn't even mention the disappointing disappearance of actress Linda Carter as John's mother, Sarah Conner, and believe me, her presence is sorely missed in this one), I found T3 to be a great blend of exciting, edge-of-your-seat action mixed with a creative, faithful plotline, and would recommend it to anyone who's considering seeing it when it's released to theaters formally, this Friday, July 4. I was not disappointed with what I saw, and hopefully, this review has given you enough reasons to at least give it a chance. And maybe, with a little luck, Terminator 4 will be on its way to theaters a lot quicker than this sequel was, and Ah-nold really will 'be bakk' one more time. Cheers.
Epilogue: I realize there are plenty of spelling, grammar, and just general errors throughout this review. I usually try to fix all of these before publishing, but two things (a desire to publish this as soon as possible and massive sleep deprivation, namely) are ensuring that I release this before such reader-friendly matters could be implemented for your assistance. Sue me.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is back as a time-traveling T-101 Terminator in this smash hit directed by Jonathan Mostow. With dazzling effecs, bravura thrill...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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