The best action movie this year!

Rating: 9/10 (4 July 2003)

Like many others, my family and I went to this movie expecting to be disappointed. Instead, we were pleasantly surprised at what turned out to be an excellent story wrapped in some of the most intense action scenes ever filmed. And yes, Arnold is Back. The "professional" reviews have been all over the map on this one, so two words of caution: (1) ignore any review that mentions Arnold's political leanings or ambitions, since they have nothing to do with this film; and (2) dismiss any comment about this being a "failed franchise", cause it ain't so! The worst thing that the current creative team could have done was try to out-do or copy T-2:Judgement Day, so they didn't. Instead they focused on John Connor, now grown up but incredibly paranoid because he doesn't really believe that the future of the world is secure. Turns out he's right. This is not a James Cameron movie, and in hindsight that's a good thing. This film is completely faithful to what's gone before, but takes us in a new direction which forces John Connor (and us) to finally come to terms with his destiny. The cast here is excellent: Claire Danes is exceptional in a role that could have been a drag on the story in less capable hands. And Kristina Lokken as the T-X deserves way more credit that she's getting from some reviewers: I thought she played the role just right, as a cold, heartless killing machine. The fact that she's an attractive female seems to blind some guys to the fact that there have been very few modern films that show its female leads as anything but conflicted, hapless victim. Like Robert Patrick in "T-2" and Arnold himself, this Terminator is ruthless, deadly and totally dedicated to her mission. The film's climax wisely harkens back to the first film by stripping away the T-X's outer "skin" and revealing the mechanical monster underneath. This girl is pure evil, just like she's supposed to be. The ending itself is completely unexpected, but quite good. I won't give it away here, but you'll find out that the story isn't really over yet.