Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nick Stahl)
When the first Terminator was released almost twenty years ago, action-mixed-with-sci-fi was the bread and butter of the movie industry. The Star Wars and Star Trek franchises were kicking into high gear and these factors allowed for the 1984 James Cameron vehicle to find an eager audience of it own. The movie's premise -- that of a killing cyborg from the future sent back to alter the present -- is enough of a cyclical mind-bender to deliciously ponder, but Cameron's surefire direction (in spite of some limiting budget constraints), and the presence of the ever-watchable Arnold Schwarzenegger in his breakthrough star-making role became icing on the cake. In some circles, the film remains a modern-day classic.
Being more of a fan of its 1991 sequel, I don't necessarily subscribe to that train of thought, but I do enjoy the series and it is with guarded pleasure that I admit the most recent entry in the franchise, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines is an enjoyable continuation of the time-travelling storyline. (There is, unsurprisingly, no mention or reference to the "2 1/2" amusement park entry T2 3-D: Battle Across Time.) In fact, considering it is in a genre that is steadily relying more and more on artificial-looking computer graphics to complete its more elaborate sequences, T3 is likely the best action movie of the summer. The movie has more than its share of chase scenes, explosions and mass destruction, but unlike the recent, disappointing Matrix Reloaded, actually looks like chase scenes, explosions and mass destruction, and not some computer wiz's experimentation with slow-motion and dizzying rotating angles. These appear to be real vehicles getting all banged up, and even in a superficial level, this translates as more bang for your buck.
Schwarzenegger reprises his role as the increasingly obsolete T-101, sent back in time to protect John Connor (Nick Stahl) and his future wife Kate Brewster (Claire Danes) from a T-X (Kristanna Loken). I guess we're meant to assume that while the machines from the future continue to develop and manufacture newer and sleeker models back in time, the humans are too busy fighting to keep themselves alive to send back a better model of their own. Although John, after years of self-imposed seclusion for the good of mankind, recognizes the T-101 right away, this is a different cyborg and has supposedly not retained any of the previous version's memories or experience. Strangely, the Terminator still remembers that it can steal car keys from the flapdown mirror panel... (incidentally, is there anyone, anywhere who actually conveniently keeps their car keys in such a place?)
Ordinarily, this would set up a lot more verbal and sight gags, but, aside from a few moments of levity early on in the picture, T3 is more interested in the thrill of the hunt and has fewer stops along the way. And thrill is indeed the key word here, with smashing cranes, racing transport trucks, and crashing helicopters all speeding through the picture with the subtlety of a drunk bull in a china shop. The actors all do well in delivering their obligatory, expository information, but they are mere players in the moving canvas here. Of particular note is an overall absence of the extreme violence that characterized the previous entries. With the delectable exception of the demise of a hapless police officer, there is much less blood and gore than usual for an Ah-nuld vehicle.
On the surface and on a creative level, it would appear Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines has the potential for greater failure than its predecessors. With the notable absence of Linda Hamilton in the role of Sarah Connor and a new director in Jonathan Mostow, one might intuit the screenplay is a disappointment. However, with three credited writers onboard, less teen angst dialogue for the absent Edward Furlong, and an immensely satisfying ending, the script is actually the strongest to date. Schwarzenegger must have believed this to be true, since the grapevine has hinted he put some of his own money on the line to complete a few of the more elaborate stunt sequences.
The third installment is not as awe-inspiring as Judgment Day, because by design it is not as deliciously ominous and relentless, but it is no less a worthy entry and follow-up for the series. Whether or not a fourth film surfaces as a result of Rise of the Machines matters little to me. It's a great time at the movies, and, given the endangered status of such kinds of quality summer blockbusters, I dare say it even bears repeat viewing. It's the kind of rousing entertainment The Matrix: Reloaded could only dream of providing.
