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MOVIE REVIEW
T-3: Rise of
the Machines
(2003)
Starring:
Arnold
Schwarzenegger, Nick Stahl, Claire Danes, Kristanna Loken, David
Andrews
Director:
Jonathan Mostow
Rating: R
Studio:
Warner Bros.
Release Date: 7.02.03
Review
Posted: 7.14.03
Spoilers:
Minor/Major
By
Rachel Sexton
"T3 One of The Better Action Entries
This Summer"
The indelible image from the Terminator franchise, Arnold
Schwarzenegger in black leather and shades, is in full display
in the latest installment, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines—referenced
as T3 from this point on.
Since Terminator 2: Judgment Day, John Conner (Nick Stahl),
who will be the leader of the resistance against the machines
that take over the world, has become a young man tortured by his
mother’s death and the future catastrophe they thought they
avoided. He is pursued by a TX (Kristanna Loken), the highest
level of humanoid robot from the future.
Arnold
is back as the less advanced type of robot sent to protect John.
Also involved is Kate Brewster (Claire Danes), who is destined
to become important to John and the future of mankind, and her
father, the top military man who develops a satellite system
that could provide the catalyst for the machines to take
control.
The first shot of T3 is a bomb blast, foreshadowing the
nuclear doom that will befall earth on Judgment Day, the day the
machines take over. Stahl’s voice-over begins here and continues
throughout the film. This and the opening shots of John help
establish his character well. The fans have come to expect
action from this franchise and it is not lost here, though it
has become predictable and therefore a little less exciting. The
special effects are of the highest caliber, however. The TX is
equipped with the ability to withstand enormous external damage,
so the robot repairing itself is an excellent effect.
The script for this film, though imperfect, is one of the best of
this franchise. There is a lot of information revealed about
what will happen in the future and what has happened since T2,
the idea that things are predestined is explored, there are some
effective humorous bits, and the characters of John and Kate go
through major changes during the story. My biggest qualm is that
the ending, while satisfying, is a bit manipulative, pointing
toward another sequel. It’s like you know the executives were
planning for this film to be a hit so there could be a T4.
In other technical areas, this film is above average. Any action
film requires intricate sound and the filmmakers of T3
succeeded at that. There are also some outstanding locations and
sets in this film, particularly one cemetery location. The
pacing of the editing seems to suit the type of scenes being
presented, too: rapid for action sequences and slower for
dialogue scenes.
The performances in T3 are also remarkable. Nick Stahl takes
on the lead role of John Conner in this installment and the
casting couldn’t have been more appropriate. Stahl is a gifted
young actor and the tortured aspect of John is in good hands
with him. Danes is also one of the best actresses of her
generation and here she manages to be both vulnerable and tough.
And it goes without saying that
Arnold as the Terminator is always going to be an unbeatable
action figure.
In the end, T3 is one of the better action entries we’re
likely to see this summer. I enjoyed it and I think the two
young leads, namely Nick Stahl and Claire Danes, safely bring
the franchise into a new generation.
Rating: 4 out of 5
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