Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) ***

Rating: 7/10 (25 May 2009)

John Connor (Nick Stahl), now in his 20s, is still targeted for termination. This time his would-be assassin is a gorgeous though deadly "Terminatrix" (Kristanna Loken) sent back to try and accomplish what the last two males could not succeed at doing. The eager Arnold Schwarzenegger makes his third appearance, as yet another friendly cyborg who's hot on T-X's high heels to protect young Connor.
After the mind-blowing spectacle that was TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY there was just no way this third film could compete. It also feels very much like a rehash of what we've already seen twice before. But yet it remains enjoyable enough due to Arnold, and even more so thanks to Ms. Loken's sexy yet locked-in version of the ominous female killing machine. I have a real problem with Nick Stahl in this movie, as he looks nothing like Edward Furlong (the kid from T2) and his rather delinquent character as written doesn't seem up to the task that's expected of him in the quickly brewing Rise of the Machines. *** out of ****