Review: 'Terminator 3' Rises To Occasion
Film Feels Familiar At First, Then Takes Unexpected Turns
POSTED: 2:05 a.m. EDT July 2, 2003
'Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines' (R)
(out of four)
It's not unusual for Arnold Schwarzenegger to utter "I'll be back" on the big screen; but in the case of the "Terminator" movies, he ain't-a-kiddin'.
Needless to say, he's back in his element -- and a big way -- in "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines," director Jonathan Mostow's energetically entertaining follow-up to series creator James Cameron's original 1984 classic and brilliant 1991 follow-up "T2: Judgment Day."
Not only does Mostow fill the gargantuan shoes James Cameron by preserving the classic continuity of the first two films in the series with its incredibly dazzling visuals and brilliant tongue-in-cheek wit, he fully realizes the potential of the film legacy by taking the story to new and unexpected heights.
The action picks up 10 years after "Judgment Day," as John Connor (Nick Stahl), having narrowly averting a nuclear apocalypse, is destitute and living on the street. With his mother Sarah (played by Linda Hamilton in the first two films) dead and his destined role as a future leader vanquished, he leads a virtually non-existent life. Worst of all, he's still haunted by horrifying visions of doom.
Enter the T-X (Kristanna Loken), a faster, sleeker female version of the Terminator that's sent back from the future to finish the job that her predecessors couldn't complete.
That's because, as Connor comes to learn by an obsolete T-101 Terminator sent back to protect him (the assembly line of the future makes all the "good" models look like Schwarzenegger), that he and mom didn't prevent Judgment Day 10 years earlier, they merely postponed it. That's a serious problem considering that the T-X is not only virtually indestructible in physical combat; she has the power to control other machines -- including the ones that can destroy mankind.
Reluctant of the formidable task that lay ahead of him, John sets out once again to rid the world of Judgment Day, with the T-101 and Kate Brewster (Claire Danes) -- a veterinarian who plays a pivotal role in his future -- along for the fight.
In many respects, the first part of "Terminator 3" is more of the same of "Terminator" and "T2." The story more or less goes into cinematic rewind for the first half of the film, as TX sets to snuff out every possible human link of defiance to ensure the rise of the machines. By contrast, the TX is much more like the "T2" T-1000 model (Robert Patrick), as her make-up of molten metal makes her seemingly unstoppable. That, of course, makes for some mind-blowing visuals, whether she and the T-101 engage in toe-to-toe physical combat or hyper-kinetic freeway chases.
Sure, in many respects Mostow revisits the formula that made the first two films such of a jaw-dropping theatrical experience, but in the case of the "Terminator" movies, you can never get too much of a good thing. Simply put, those Terminators are hard to break, so why fix them?
Also back is the mind-bending logic of somebody coming back from a future that was seemingly prevented. Of course, that's been the running problem with the "Terminator" series and other movies of this kind, so just ignore any holes and go with the flow of the here and now.
While the atmosphere of "Terminator 3" feels strikingly familiar at first, the film really comes into its own in its latter half as we begin to witness the origins of Skynet, the defense system of machines that is central to the plot of the entire "Terminator" film experience.
The slam-dunk comes, though, with some nightmarish, yet cinematically welcome "Twilight Zone"-like implications that leave as many questions as there are answers. The open-ended conclusion may frustrate viewers who like their packages complete, but should for the most part leave fans of the series begging for more.
Like Cameron did in the first two films, Mostow effectively balances special effects maestro Stan Winston's visuals with the performances, rather than let them overpower the actors. Of course, it helps to have talented actors to work with, and Stahl, Danes and Loken fit the bit in "Terminator 3."
Stahl (who replaces Edward Furlong from "T2") and Danes have great chemistry as the couple in peril, and are great in pulling out the character's vulnerabilities as well as strengths. Loken is sleek and sexy as T-X, and her charisma allows her to operate with, well, machine-like efficiency. As required, she seems real despite the extraordinary circumstances.
As for Schwarzenegger, to put it simply, he was born to play the Terminator. He doesn't miss a beat as the cybernetic marvel, whether he's stealing somebody's clothes to wear (yes, he appears in the buff again), kicking or getting his butt kicked by T-X, or spouting more classic one-liners with the character's trademark broken, monotone delivery.
Best of all, though, Schwarzenegger is willing to poke fun at himself several times during the film, providing for some insanely funny moments. He's had to have had a blast making the movie, and, if he forgoes his much-publicized idea of a California gubernatorial run, "Terminator 3" is sure to rocket him right back to the top of the movie world.
On the serious side, the underlying charge of the movie is the prospect of nuclear annihilation. Movies aside, the mere idea of it is unnerving enough; but "Terminator 3" provides a fine wake-up call for those who have grown complacent of the nuclear arsenals out there ready to unleash hell at the push of a button.
Whether it's Mostow, Cameron again or some other filmmakers, hopefully the "Terminator" will be back again to remind us of those prospects again in the future. If so, let's just hope that Schwarzenegger will say, "I'll be back," too. The "Terminator" world would be a lot less interesting without him.
(out of four)
It's not unusual for Arnold Schwarzenegger to utter "I'll be back" on the big screen; but in the case of the "Terminator" movies, he ain't-a-kiddin'.
Needless to say, he's back in his element -- and a big way -- in "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines," director Jonathan Mostow's energetically entertaining follow-up to series creator James Cameron's original 1984 classic and brilliant 1991 follow-up "T2: Judgment Day."
Not only does Mostow fill the gargantuan shoes James Cameron by preserving the classic continuity of the first two films in the series with its incredibly dazzling visuals and brilliant tongue-in-cheek wit, he fully realizes the potential of the film legacy by taking the story to new and unexpected heights.
The action picks up 10 years after "Judgment Day," as John Connor (Nick Stahl), having narrowly averting a nuclear apocalypse, is destitute and living on the street. With his mother Sarah (played by Linda Hamilton in the first two films) dead and his destined role as a future leader vanquished, he leads a virtually non-existent life. Worst of all, he's still haunted by horrifying visions of doom.
Enter the T-X (Kristanna Loken), a faster, sleeker female version of the Terminator that's sent back from the future to finish the job that her predecessors couldn't complete.
That's because, as Connor comes to learn by an obsolete T-101 Terminator sent back to protect him (the assembly line of the future makes all the "good" models look like Schwarzenegger), that he and mom didn't prevent Judgment Day 10 years earlier, they merely postponed it. That's a serious problem considering that the T-X is not only virtually indestructible in physical combat; she has the power to control other machines -- including the ones that can destroy mankind.
Reluctant of the formidable task that lay ahead of him, John sets out once again to rid the world of Judgment Day, with the T-101 and Kate Brewster (Claire Danes) -- a veterinarian who plays a pivotal role in his future -- along for the fight.
In many respects, the first part of "Terminator 3" is more of the same of "Terminator" and "T2." The story more or less goes into cinematic rewind for the first half of the film, as TX sets to snuff out every possible human link of defiance to ensure the rise of the machines. By contrast, the TX is much more like the "T2" T-1000 model (Robert Patrick), as her make-up of molten metal makes her seemingly unstoppable. That, of course, makes for some mind-blowing visuals, whether she and the T-101 engage in toe-to-toe physical combat or hyper-kinetic freeway chases.
Sure, in many respects Mostow revisits the formula that made the first two films such of a jaw-dropping theatrical experience, but in the case of the "Terminator" movies, you can never get too much of a good thing. Simply put, those Terminators are hard to break, so why fix them?
Also back is the mind-bending logic of somebody coming back from a future that was seemingly prevented. Of course, that's been the running problem with the "Terminator" series and other movies of this kind, so just ignore any holes and go with the flow of the here and now.
While the atmosphere of "Terminator 3" feels strikingly familiar at first, the film really comes into its own in its latter half as we begin to witness the origins of Skynet, the defense system of machines that is central to the plot of the entire "Terminator" film experience.
The slam-dunk comes, though, with some nightmarish, yet cinematically welcome "Twilight Zone"-like implications that leave as many questions as there are answers. The open-ended conclusion may frustrate viewers who like their packages complete, but should for the most part leave fans of the series begging for more.
Like Cameron did in the first two films, Mostow effectively balances special effects maestro Stan Winston's visuals with the performances, rather than let them overpower the actors. Of course, it helps to have talented actors to work with, and Stahl, Danes and Loken fit the bit in "Terminator 3."
Stahl (who replaces Edward Furlong from "T2") and Danes have great chemistry as the couple in peril, and are great in pulling out the character's vulnerabilities as well as strengths. Loken is sleek and sexy as T-X, and her charisma allows her to operate with, well, machine-like efficiency. As required, she seems real despite the extraordinary circumstances.
As for Schwarzenegger, to put it simply, he was born to play the Terminator. He doesn't miss a beat as the cybernetic marvel, whether he's stealing somebody's clothes to wear (yes, he appears in the buff again), kicking or getting his butt kicked by T-X, or spouting more classic one-liners with the character's trademark broken, monotone delivery.
Best of all, though, Schwarzenegger is willing to poke fun at himself several times during the film, providing for some insanely funny moments. He's had to have had a blast making the movie, and, if he forgoes his much-publicized idea of a California gubernatorial run, "Terminator 3" is sure to rocket him right back to the top of the movie world.
On the serious side, the underlying charge of the movie is the prospect of nuclear annihilation. Movies aside, the mere idea of it is unnerving enough; but "Terminator 3" provides a fine wake-up call for those who have grown complacent of the nuclear arsenals out there ready to unleash hell at the push of a button.
Whether it's Mostow, Cameron again or some other filmmakers, hopefully the "Terminator" will be back again to remind us of those prospects again in the future. If so, let's just hope that Schwarzenegger will say, "I'll be back," too. The "Terminator" world would be a lot less interesting without him.Copyright 2003 by Lifewhile.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
