In defense of Terminator 3

Rating: Null/10 (3 July 2003)

WARNING: SPOILER! DO NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THIS MOVIE!!!

I can see why so many people were a bit disappointed that it was more of a B-movie than a mainstream action film. Perhaps they're right, but that's not what makes a movie good, even though it may do poorly in the box-office. But I do defend this film based on the ending of it, which goes back to the origins of the series.
In itself, this movie was entirely a push to the end to see how Judgment Day actually arrived and there was actually wit on why (little on that later). The action scenes were some of the best I've seen in a summer action movie, even though it was a B-movie. But the opening sequences were overkill; not even James Cameron made the destruction that long. Also, the score by Marco Beltrami was nearly non-existent so that made the movie seem like a stunt show than a tense action thriller, even though some were notable (like the Terminator going through a building while holding to the crane). From the opening credits, it really did feel like a B-movie because there was not one iota of a special effect, nothing (so I guess the $175 million was really spent on blowing stuff up). The T-X moved like a mannequin doll (which I guess why she arrived in a women's department store with all the mannequin model); there was nothing new or revolutionizing of the model, jut more of a super-advance T-1000. Arnold Schwarzenegger was not the star of the show but more of a supporting cast member (Nick Stahl and Claire Danes were the real stars).
Even though the story did seem like it took a back seat, there was some actual wit. For example the T-X hunting down John Connor's "lieutenants" that worked in fast food stores and having parties while mom is away (or dead); they would have been great assests to John Connor for the future war. Kate Brewster (Claire Danes) would be John's wife and would also have a significant role for the resistance; I really did like their chemistry. And the most twisted side of it all was the fact that Skynet was never really a system to which Connor thought it was; it was actually a network, which means it was DECENTRALIZED, which meant that there was no hierarchy controlling it. Hence the term Sky(network), just like the Internet.

Why am I defending this movie? If John Connor in the future cannot send his father back in time if there was no judgement day, how could John have existed in the first place? I was reminded of "12 Monkeys." Granted it could have down a better job with the storyline, but I see why this movie "had" to be made.
I give this movie 7.5 out of 10 stars. My least favorite of the series.