lots of fun, though no T2

Rating: 7/10 (18 June 2004)

If you go into this expecting a fun action picture that is not going to be at the level of the first two movies, you'll probably have a good time. There are some fun action scenes, a fair amount of amusing jokes referring to the previous movie and a really hot evil robot played by a model whose vacuous model stare works perfectly in the role.
But no, it's not as good as the first two. Those movies moved like lightning, offering a breakneck speed that kept you from catching your breath. T2 was a thrill ride from beginning to end, and T3 never works up that sort of momentum. Its holes are easier to pick at than the previous movies (although not terrible by action movie standards) and the ending is downright disappointing. But if rather than comparing it with two of the best action films ever made, you compare it with more typical action flicks, it's superior to many, a good but not great movie that is energetic fun most of the time with some terrific moments here and there. Yes, it would have been better directed by James Cameron rather than some director so obscure that I don't know how he finagled the job, but it's still effectively directed. Just lower your expectations a little bit and watch it.