Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines

A lot of people praised it, saying what a comeback it was and a great film, until I succumbed and finally went to the movie theatre. Summing up the pros: sometimes it has nice sense of humor, the last 20 minutes are really great and the quite nice Kristanna Loken (but like a killing machine... sorry, more like a Barbie doll with a plasma rifle in her hand). Story = the classic "we want a third film, we're out of plot," Arnold doing the home exercise of "how to look to get California voters to vote for me" and Mostow directing an essay on "the benefits of the demolition style of the 1980s". The result is a strange bundle full of twisted sheet metal and demolished real estate. If it wasn't for that bit of exaggeration and the familiar atmosphere of the ending (that's where Mostow got it right), I would have spat in disgust after leaving the movie theatre. I swallowed my spit, but I think that two films are enough... (2004-01-27)

Mostow directed a decent action ride, but it doesn't bring anything new and will soon fizzle out of your head. Cameron's Terminator 2 was a revolutionary feat that has become an immortal film classic, Mostow's T3 will become at most a video store staple. Surprisingly, there are a few deaf spots and especially a strange ending that more like an open door for a sequel it feels like a barn door. Arnold is getting a bit old, but it doesn't matter, he has his charm. Judging by the reviews I expected him to be spouting one catchphrase after another, but it's not that hot. So the biggest asset of the film for me is my new sex icon Kristene Loken as a revamped version of the Terminator. The juxtaposition of a cruel killing machine in the guise of a beautiful woman is quite a turn-on, and Loken playfully puts Arnold in her pocket with her performance. I hope it's not just Terminator in her case. (2003-08-23)

An action parody of the Terminator phenomenon, and surprisingly, it quite works. That said, the film eventually moves into a more serious vein and closes the Terminator mythology with dignity. I sincerely hopes that it closes it. (2005-01-11)

From the point of view of action, ingenuity, and special effects quality, Terminator 2 set the bar so high that even the biggest optimists couldn't expect the third one to surpass it. Even the funeral speeches that the aging Schwarzenegger no longer had it and couldn't handle his part were not confirmed. Terminator is his life role and for the third time, he performed it surprisingly well. Kristanna Loken is painfully clumsy as an actress, but just like Schwarzenegger in the past, that is an advantage in this Terminator role - moreover, she is really beautiful and that's what casting her was all about. The film may not surprise you with anything significant, but on the other hand, it won't disappoint either. It's an above-average action sci-fi with a reasonable runtime and a pleasantly suspenseful ending, which, more than the previous two parts, leaves the back door open for a possible fourth film. The best from the cast is the likable Claire Danes. Unlike its predecessors, this film probably won't stick in your memory, but it's definitely not a waste of time. Overall impression: 75%. (2006-06-14)

A tribute and also a substantial continuation. That’s Terminator 3. Arnold Schwarzenegger is back for the last time and with all the trimmings. It’s as if director Jonathan Mostow knew than he can’t equal Cameron and so he made a movie for his fans from the position of a fan. Flawless in terms of special effects. He adds lots of excellent action scenes (the scene with the crane will remain forever unbeatable), funny scenes and also dark atmosphere that is almost imperceptible at the beginning, but grows as the end draws nearer. Not as perfect as the preceding part, but still. What else can I say but good work :-)? 92%. (2006-11-21)

The strength and the vision of a dark future is irreversibly gone, but to say that Jonathan Mostow messed it up, that's also a bit of a stretch. After all, there’s still have fantastically shot action, a likeable old T800 played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, and a killing machine in the guise of Kristanna Loken – she was probably my favorite part of the whole film. Edward Furlong is missing, but Nick Stahl is a fairly decent replacement. The whole film is carried in an action-comedy tone, sometimes it benefits from it, sometimes not. But it's not as tragic as expected. The only truly atmospheric thing is the ending. (2003-11-04)

With a large dose of nostalgia, I remembered the 90s and the cult films that were created at that time. I couldn't forget the second part of Terminator and realized that I haven't actually seen the acclaimed Kristanna Loken in the next sequel. So I immediately jumped into the third part and got exactly what I expected. Action entertainment, funny Arnold quotes, some surprises, and overall the movie looks good when the main villain is played by a Norwegian model. I saw the fourth part and once was enough, so I will jump to the fifth one, which didn't turn out very well. I will let myself be surprised. (2017-08-12)