Enjoyable, but not up to I or II

Rating: 5/10 (2 July 2003)

I strongly suspect the prior commenter either has a specific financial stake or is otherwise tied to the "biz." Straight up, this is a light and entertaining film. I don't feel ripped off, but I won't give a strong recommendation to my friends.
On a plot level... To me, T1 was gripping. It generated fear. I would not use those terms for T2, but there was still some intrigue and uncertainty, and some angles to the plot. T3 didn't have any of that. No one in my theater feared the villain or expected it to succeed. In fact, even when the plot placed the bad guy in a close position to Terminate (within 10 feet SEVERAL times!), nonchalance followed, permitting escape. Obviously in T1 the villain was relentless and unwavering. Though I felt T2's villain was not as terrifying, I must give that he was relentless and if he got close he would execute immediately. Yet in T3 - I just have to call it nonchalance. Not scary at all!
Arnold holds up his end and if he's what floats your boat you'll be fine with this. But make no mistake - this is not James Cameron level material. It's not awful, but don't expect anyone to be swept off their feet by this.
One more technical note: if you don't instantly recognize the opening and closing theme music from T1, disregard this. I would say to the directors and producers of T3: shame on you. Brad Fiedel's composition would have lifted this whole affair - as great scores can, turning scenes into emotional experiences - but Brad and Cameron will do doubt share their quality in other projects down the road :)