Has a lot to live up to...

Rating: 6/10 (3 August 2003)

Right I'll say it now - the best was the first, the second best was Judgement day and this new installment finishes in last place. It lacks the dramatic impact, the cool, sophisticated direction or the "feel" of the last two movies. This doesn't however make this film bad, as it was rather entertaining, a lot better than The Matrix Reloaded, or any other films this year(except Whale Rider and Pirates of the ...). The action is pretty relentless, and well done, with great camera work, some pretty violent scenes (for a 12A) and great set pieces - the toilet scene between Arnie and Loken is great, perfect action scene - much better than the overblown rubbish seen in Matrix Reloaded. All of the action is tied together with great special effects, which, while not as stunning as T2 in its day, is great work. Highlights are Arnies face being smashed in, and Loken's character having all her metal come off.
Acting is good, especially from Nick Stahl, who did well to carry on the role of Furlongs John Conner. He plays it with great style and makes us feel that this character has a burden to carry. Claire Danes is okay as Conners girl, yet she lacks depth, and just seems to be shouting and screaming. Oh well. Arnie is really good, he plays the terminator role with ease, yet some scenes he seems to playing a parody of his formr roles as the machine. Also he isn't quite as well equipped in the one liners department, and seems to just get stuff from the prequels. Still overall, he is good, and really doesn't look his age! Lastly, Loken plays the bad guy in this movie, and although she is the worst "baddie" the series has seen (I'll say Arnies first role was the most menacing, T2 had the most cool), she still had lots of impressive tricks up her sleeve. Or cleveage. Her acting was good, menacing and brooding, just like a killing machine should be like. So far so good, good action scenes, consistent acting - whats missing? Other than James Cameron, whose flair is obviously lacking, it's the music. The great theme tune from the prequels is gone, which left me cold in some scenes, and the action scenes lacked some oomph because of this. The music, if included, would have made this movie a little better - more tense. Overall, a good action flick, not as good as the first two masterpieces, but a worthy addition to the series nonetheless. It seems to have been catered for the spoilt brats of the cinema going audience, as it's only a 12A, yet it still had some gruesome moments, and overall is very entertaining.

8 out of 10
PS Much better than Reloaded!