Review of Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) by James S — 11 Jan 2014

Really, when your franchise's catchphrase is "I'll be back," how can you not expect another sequel? Terminator 3 continues with the series' great action sequences and mixes in just enough time travel plot to keep the story interesting without bogging the audience down in a bunch of causality loops.

This time around, John Connor gets the spotlight. Now a young adult, John in once again bein hunted by a time-travelling terminator, and once again, a T-101 has to protect him and his top lieutenant from the future. There are some great chases, cool plot MacGuffins, and even a couple of twists to keep the plot spicy. It isn't quite as tight as Terminator 2, but is still good.

With only Schwarzenegger carrying over from the previous films, we get to see some new faces. Nick Stahl is fine as John Connor, particularly when foreshadowing his future role as Human Resistance Leader Guy. Claire Danes is enjoyable as Kate Brewster, and this wasn't an easy part, either, as she shifts through many different emotional states. Finally, Kristanna Lokin plays the stilted determination of our latest Terminator model with skill.

With so many film studios rushing to get sequels produced these days, it is inevitable that the quality of those sequels can suffer. I'm very pleased that the Terminator franchise is OK taking its time between installments. It really helps the quality, and makes this a good watch.