Not bad, but nothing compared with T1 and T2

Rating: 6/10 (18 July 2003)

Firstly I'll say that it's always fun to watch the Terminator, even if the movie around him isn't that great. His one-liners and antics are very funny, but he still seems just as tough in T3 - maybe more so than T2, and also wiser. He admits to having "sub-routines in basic psychology", and the results are humorous and a nice touch.
Of course he isn't as dark and evil as in T1, but who could expect that anymore. He apparently still isn't "allowed" to kill cops or people - I suspect censorship, or typical Hollywood efforts at pleasing a wider audience is to blame for that. Doesn't matter.
The story was interesting and used the familiar Skynet theme well. The way it all unfolded though is something worth criticising. Perhaps it was because an inexperienced Director was at the wheel, but it was all so one-tracked, lacking the substance, suspense, cinematography and skillful storytelling of T1 and T2. It would be tough to live up to T1 and T2, but that's what the filmmakers are paid the big bucks for right?

There were too many references to T1 and T2. I was hoping for more original and new ideas with things like the Terminator looking for clothes, stealing cars, and various other things. I felt a lot of the scenes were merely re-hashed ideas...a Hollywood cash-in maybe, on proven concepts.
Unlike T1 and T2, T3 failed to be a good film when there wasn't action scenes going on. The effect this has is that you don't connect with the characters as much, because they aren't put in any decent non-action situations. Is the problem with editing? Story? Screenplay? I don't know, but what I do know is that T2 was an excellent film in ALL respects, but T3 was only good some of the time. I wish this wasn't so, but it's true.

Where is the creative filmmaking in T3? The answer is that, apart from some effects, funny lines, and a couple of action scenes, there was no creativity.
T4 should be interesting though, can't wait!
6 / 10