Entertaining, a pleasure to take in.

Rating: Null/10 (6 July 2003)

THE TERMINATOR series of movies have all been entertaining, sometimes poignant, and thought-provoking joyrides sprinkled with droll humor. Terminator 3, though not directed by Cameron, retains much of the feel of Terminator 2. Once again, a malevolent machine is sent to the past on asassination mission(s), and (what is left of) humanity in the bleak future have sent back a protector (always excellent Arnold, now portrayed as the Edsel of robotdom, outmatched by the radical new robot models). As in the other two movies, the science fiction story, though solid, is a bit sleight and is really just a framework for the kind of thrilling chase scenes one usually associates with these movies. In content, T3:Rise of the Machines could actually be called T2.5:Judgement Day, but frankly I wouldn't mind seeing TEN more films with this same outline-they are just so fun to watch! If it seems like the franchise is just spinning its wheels, hold on because T4 will surely break the mold and not deal with protecting Connors anymore-in fact, don't be surprised if Arnold isn't even in the next one. Recommended, esp. if you liked the first two!