Haven't been here for years... all new and shiny these days.
Haven't been here for years... all new and shiny these days.
Member since:31.10.2000
Reviews:148
Members who trust:101
Well the title of my opinion is not only a line from the second sequel of Schwarzenegger's original rise to fame, but also quite applicable to my own recent absence from the site. Sadly my new job allows me far less time to enjoy the creative outlet Ciao provides, I've certainly missed it even if the reverse is not true. Anyway my spurious babblings aside, the air conditioning of a cinema proved welcome after successfully crisping myself in the weekend sun a few short weeks ago, I settled back to enjoy, in all likelihood, a Schwarzenegger swansong.
Terminator 3 probably benefits from the fact the Arnie's career has been in freefall since he last acquisitioned some black leathers, donned shades, leapt on a Harley and proceeded to blow seven shades of shit out of everything. In short, the ten long years since Terminator 2. It's certainly the first Arnie film I've actually
enjoyed in the last decade although, whilst it shines with inferno-like brightness compared to his recent releases, it pales when compared to the first two in this high-profile sci-fi series.
Terminator managed to combine a fine sci-fi plot, emotive performances, excellent action sequences and some truly heart-stopping moments. In order to prevent the audience getting too entangled in the time travelling difficulties inherent in the plot of the sequel, blockbuster-meister James Cameron dazzled the audience with some of the most mind blowing stunts and set pieces imaginable. In short both certainly deserved their place in that illusive annuls of landmark films, that is to say films that have helped shape cinema.
Terminator 3 doesn’t deserve to join it’s predecessors, it lacks the imaginative plot of the first or the pioneering special effects of the second, still it makes for entertaining viewing nonetheless. T3 mirrors Lethal Weapon 3 in some respects as it incorporates far more humour, much of it bordering on the self-parody. The opening scenes see a now outdated T-101 enter a feisty hen night where he is mistaken for a male stripper, the first of many homages to the first two instalments.
Anyway onto the film, plot-wise Terminator 3 is thin, the gorgeous Kristanna Loken, plays a T-X, the latest upgrade in the Terminator line, she can morph like the T1000 due to her liquid metal make up but has the added ability to control other machines. Her mission is to execute the future lieutenants of the great Jon Conner, amongst them Kate Brewster, played by the delectable Claire Danes.
Obviously Arnie is on hand, reprising his T2 mission to protect the future saviour of humanity and his future wife. In essence the movie is nothing other than a succession of chase scenes, the highlight of which is undoubtedly the visual treat where the T-X special abilities come to the fore; a fleet of emergency vehicles are sent in hot pursuit of Connor and veterinarian bride-to-be Brewster with Arnie pursuing doggedly in a fire truck. Even the departed Cameron would approve of the intricacy of the stunts and camera work as carnage reigns supreme. Awesome.
Thrills and spills aside though, T3 does not offer too much, the performances of Stahl and Danes in the lead roles give the film some substance, Arnie is…well Arnie and newcomer Loken entertains with some suitably impressive and occasionally innovative moves. The one-dimensional nature of the film, all action and no real character or plot development, makes it difficult to get too involved though, until the very un-Hollywood ending which resonates with the same stark feelings of determination in the face of despair that seeped through the original.
So to sum up, it’s a welcome return to form for Arnie in a film that’ll offer 90 minutes or so of diverting action without providing anything too new or challenging. No it doesn’t reach the heights of the first two in this series but also it doesn’t let them down either. Certainly worth a watch for fans of the series.
Tomatometer: 74% - A rating taken from www.rottentomatoes.com, a definitive movie site.
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Production Year: 1964 - Action/Adventure - Director: Cyril Endfield - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green
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apocalyptic "Judgment Day" ofT2was never prevented, only postponed: John Connor (Nick Stahl, replacingT2's Edward Furlong), now 22 and disconnected from society, is being p...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
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apocalyptic "Judgment Day" ofT2was never prevented, only postponed: John Connor (Nick Stahl, replacingT2's Edward Furlong), now 22 and disconnected from society, is being p...
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![Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (Single Disc Edition) [DVD] [2003]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78514688.jpg "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (Single Disc Edition) [DVD] [2003]")
![Terminator 3 - Rise Of The Machines [DVD] [2003]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/80196201.jpg "Terminator 3 - Rise Of The Machines [DVD] [2003]")
![Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (Two Disc Set) [DVD] [2003]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78546904.jpg "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (Two Disc Set) [DVD] [2003]")
Aug 29th, 2003
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