a quality summer sequel

Rating: 7/10 (2 July 2003)

Anyone expecting T3: Rise of the Machines to be the next landmark film in the science fiction genre will be dissapointed. But anyone looking for a quality action movie will not. That's basically what this movie is: a quality movie that doesn't let it's viewers down. We all know that T2 is one of the best action movies of all time and that pedigree makes this movie tough to live up to expectations. But T3 comes through in some ways and doesn't in others. The action is first rate ( I liked the fact there is very little cgi and a lot more real things being blown up), the actors turn in good performances (Arnold pretty much looks as he did in T2), and it makes you want to see T4 (if they make it). The only problems i have with the film are very nitpicky. There is somewhat of a lack of cinematography (it made me miss James Cameron's blue tinted T2), and the Terminatrix is so unbelievably beautiful that it was tough for me to be scared of her. All in all, a pretty satisfying movie with good action, good performances, and some unexpected laughs thrown in. **1/2 stars out of 4