Mixed Bag

Rating: 7/10 (3 July 2003)

I went into T3 not knowing what to expect. I came away not knowing what to think.
The movie is entertaining, let that be said. The action never lets up except maybe at the end, where it could have used more punch. In contrast to some reviews I actually liked the storyline, it just felt like it could have gone on a little longer.
Arnold is as charismatic as ever, even with the low amount of dialogue. I was a bit disappointed the lengths the filmmakers went to poke fun at T-800. I wished he could have been a bit closer to the meaner Terminator from the first movie in contrast to the "softer" one from T2. There are many laughs in the film and this is welcome. The first movie was more of a B horror flick and T2 more sci-fi. T3 falls somewhere in between the previous two in nearly all areas.
The special effects were very good. The final iteration Arnold goes through in the end is magnificent. I wished it could have lasted longer.

With the Matrix Reloaded we had a film that was simply too much. It also had a story that was so convoluted I really gave up on caring what happens to the characters. T3 is the opposite in nearly all areas. It needed more of everything except a few less corny lines.
In the end I am now wishing for T4 and an all out battle. I hope it comes because like the previous two movies, T3 leaves the audience hanging wondering what is going to happen.