A very worthy sequel

Rating: 9/10 (12 February 2016)

Curious as it may sound, this is my favourite of the Terminator-series. It combines the relentless pace of the first film with the clever twists, emotional sensibilities and grand visuals of the second one, while it actually moves the story forward towards the unavoidable (?) end, unlike Terminator 2 (which I also like).
Interestingly, Terminator 3 manages to be visceral and funny (oh, those sunglasses! - the humorous takes on the iconic moments from the first two films work especially well), light-hearted (almost family-friendly) and grimly pessimistic at the same time. So far, it is the only instalment in the series where there is no happy ending. Hope, yes, but humanity does fall here, nevertheless. You cannot escape your destiny.
Kristanna Loken is wonderful in the role of the merciless terminatrix (kudos for the costume designers for her leather dress), as is Claire Danes as Kate Brewster, especially when she unleashes her anger. The all-wrecking car chase through the city didn't impress me much at the time, but has become one of my favourite action sequences since. All in all, highly rewatchable, great entertainment.