T-X - you can terminate me any day, babe!

Rating: Null/10 (20 July 2003)

For what my view is worth, I was dubious to say the least about the merits of a T3 but came away impressed with the end product. I for one will happily watch it again.
I'd rate this 8/10 and rank it below T1 and above T2. Will T1 ever be topped for tightness of storyline, a nerve-tearing mixture of excitement and palpable fear, an ever-present sense of foreboding, not to mention conceptual inventiveness? Unlikely.
All I remember T2 for is the introduction of morphing to cinema audiences worldwide, as well as xcellent stunts (equalled in T3). T2 was too long, too reliant on special FX, and suffered from a wandering storyline.
Arnie : more menacing in T3 than T2 - in T2 he was pathetically cast as a kiddie's toy (the ultimate aim being to humanise him and to soften and tone down his ultra violent T1 image). He'll never top his menacing T1 character.
The T-X : more frightening and lethal than the T-1000 in T2. Loken's emotionless facial expressions, ice-cool demeanour and machine-like body motions were A1. Her testing of blood samples for DNA was brilliant. A Terminator with a chasis is more beleivable than one made of 100% liquid metal.
John Connor : Stahl's character is a vast improvement on the weak performance delivered by Furlong in T2.
Kate : movie reviewers in Australia have unfairly criticised Danes. I thought she did the job well. Reminded me very much of Sarah in T1 - innocence utterly destroyed.
Dr. Silbermann : a mind wracked with doubt and regret. Good to see him back.
The ending : the closer it got the more it looked like being a happy one, with John and Kate saving the day. Fortunately we were spared this corny conclusion. Much like T1, the future does indeed look a grim one.