Terminator 3: The Rise of the Machines (2005)

Terminator 3: The Rise of the Machines (2003)

June 20, 2005

HBO Broadcast, Somerville, MA

**1/2 / ****

By Scott Muoio

Terminator 3: The Rise of the Machines is a new millennium summer blockbuster, for better and worse. Firmly grounded in the latest CGI technology, T:3 is a riveting smash ‘em up, guns and explosions extravaganza that excellently displays an ingredient most so-called blockbusters have been lately lacking: action and excitement. Merely titling a movie Too Fast Too Furious or XXX doesn’t necessarily equate to superior visual dynamics and heart-pounding excitement. T3 brings the goods, and although it falls prey to a redundant plot that adds little to the overall Terminator story, it still manages to be a decent entry in the series and an above average summer blockbuster.

The story here continues where the previous films left off. John Connor (played this time by Nick Stahl) is once again being hunted down by a nearly indestructible T-X robot from the future (Kristanna Loken in a skin tight red leather jumpsuit) as he struggles to accept his place as future leader of the human rebellion against the conscious machines. The T-101 (Arnold Schwartzenegger), a slightly less powerful cyborg, likewise returns from the future to stand against the T-X as he follows his prime directive: secure the well being of John Connor. Kate Brewster (Claire Daines) is a new character in the series and the daughter of military bigwig Robert Brewster. Kate rounds out the jousting foursome as she travels, first unwittingly and then for the sake of her own protection, with Connor and the T-X.

In essence, Terminator 3 is basically one long chase sequence that ebbs and flows just enough to quench our whetted action appetites without giving us break-neck burnout. In one breathtaking scene, a mere car chase is taken to another level when a moving crane levels an entire office building while our old friend The T-101 swings from its mast. The action barrels relentlessly throughout until the big “What!?” moment leaves us shaking our head with near disbelief. No matter the realistic possibility, the first-rate flash, circumstance and finally, quiet bravado, are more than enough action to keep us tuned even if they never lead to any sort of satisfying conclusion

The film’s big weakness is its last minute twist. This half-hearted “A-ha!” conclusion is so out of place yet common to movies of this ilk that it’s almost sad its writers and director resorted to such silliness. I wonder: why must every new release try to trick us with a twist ending? Is simply resolving rising tension not enough anymore? Terminator 3’s attempt at pulling the rug out from under us solidifies my belief that the twist ending has finally reached its sell by date, at least for a very long time.

Another distracting shortcoming in T3 is its reliance on playing up the humour of The T-101’s inability to understand human emotion. While The T-101’s hilarious attempts at adapting to his human master’s instructions for 20^th century living worked perfectly in Terminator 2, this time it felt forced and detracted from the movie’s flow.

The casting likewise left something to be desired. Aside from Arnold, not one of the other three leads could hold a candle to any of their predecessors. While the actors in the previous entries all left a distinctive mark on their roles, this crew seemed wholly like a group of inadequate replacements.

Faux pas aside, all in all Rise of the Machines does its job as a strict action picture. From the chase scenes to the massive explosions to the near-catastrophes, action fans will find plenty to be enthralled with. Considered on any other creative fronts, however, it sadly misses the mark. Fans of the original films won’t be bored though I suspect they will be greatly dissatisfied with T3’s lack of necessity. If only the film began where it ended and said something with all its action it could have been another winner. As is, it’s merely an exercise in cinematic action without the brain to make it worthwhile.