`T3' is a relatively good action/science-fiction sequel that holds true to the original concepts that Cameron created.

Rating: 8/10 (6 July 2003)

Twelve years ago, James Cameron released one of the most successful and visually stunning action/science fiction releases of all time-`Terminator 2: Judgment Day.' Now we have a sequel called `Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines.' It would seem like another Hollywood action extravaganza without a plot. After all, the characters in `T2' stopped Judgment Day from ever happening, so what's left? Apparently, they only postponed it. So it's once again up to the future resistance of humankind to send back a protector for John Connor and his future wife, Kate Brewster. Although the story line sounds contrived, the filmmakers came up with some good plot concepts in order to continue the series on a level of minor intelligence. The end result is less dark and less hard-core action than James Cameron's direction gave in the first two films. Nonetheless, `T3' is a worthy sequel that has some great action sequences and keeps the story believable.
`T3' begins in the present day with images of John (Nick Stahl) who lives off the grid in order to keep his existence a secret. At the same time, the machine army of the future sends back a new kind of terminator, the T-X (Kristanna Loken), a female whose mission is to destroy not only John, but also his future lieutenants. As such, the human resistance sends back their own terminator, the T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger), the model designed to protect John and his future spouse, Kate (Claire Danes). Here's the catch. Kate's father, Robert Brewster (David Andrews) is the man who heads up the computer network Skynet. But what he doesn't realize is that Skynet, a form of artificial intelligence, is becoming self-aware. In other words, as soon as Skynet is brought online, it will take over computer networks and mainframes worldwide, and the war will begin. It's now a race to stop not only the T-X from destroying the crucial members of the future human resistance, but also a race to stop Skynet from coming online.
`T3' had some great action sequences. In particular, a chase scene in which the T-X tries to run down John and Kate with a huge crane truck, as the T-800 hangs on by the crane. The T-X crashes the truck into the sides of buildings and other vehicles in order to stop the terminator from saving John and Kate. As absurd as the scene is, it leads to an incredible crash that will leave one's jaw on the floor of the theater in awe.
Jonathan Mostow took over the direction of `The Terminator' series, as it was the brainchild of `Titanic' director James Cameron. Mostow's credits include the heart-pounding suspense thriller `Breakdown,' and the World War II submarine flick `U-571.' Mostow's direction is not as hard edged as Cameron's was, but it is certainly respectable. Usually, as the founding filmmaker of a project leaves, the new director may ruin the legacy left by the original filmmaker-a problem that existed with `Jurassic Park III.' Steven Spielberg portrayed an image filled with suspense and intrigue into the dinosaur world created by author Micheal Crichton. However, when Joe Johnston (`October Sky') took over as the director, he created a simple, campy film that couldn't even compare to the greatness of its predecessors.
It's great to see Schwarzenegger back in action, as well. He was made to be the hero in these kinds of films. And `T3' is a far cry better than his last flick, `Collateral Damage.' In the end, `T3' is a relatively good action/science-fiction sequel that holds true to the original concepts that Cameron created. ***