| Quote: Originally Posted by dh1989 What were the first two Terminator films? Modern classics with deep moral themes and kinetic and well-directed action. What is Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines? An action-packed, yet ultimatley inferior sequel. Jonathan Mostow, the relative up-and-coming filmmaker behind works like Breakdown and U-571, replaces the superior auteur James Cameron behind the camera and series favorites Edward Furlong and, especially, Linda Hamilton are M.I.A., leaving us only the lovable womanizer Arnold Schwarzenegger, once again donning the cool shades and jacket, to play a T-101 model SkyNet Terminator, a being designed for one purpose: To track down and slaughter it's programmed victim. Of course, Mostow knows the fans, of which I am included, expect tons of explosions, bullets, and chases when one of these uber-advanced machines comes to town and, on that front, he delivers wildly, packing the film with FX-heavy spectacles, including a brawl between Arnold's T-101 and his enemy, the beautiful T-X (Kristanna Loken), in the little boy's room and a massive chase scene including the world's largest crane. If I were simply craving mass destruction, I'd absolutely love this film, and it's due to this epic action that, on first vieiwing, most viewers will be inclined to give it a 10/10 and scream with delight, as I initially did. But, upon multiple viewings, I realized: This film, while a visual delight, is virtually self-mocking itself in many scenes and lacks a truly meaty story, since, in essence, this film has very little part to play in the scheme of things. The first film introduced Sarah Connor and the Terminators to our world. The second film featured the set-up for SkyNet to finally be crafted by Cyber Research Systems, ergo... the third film should be the war, correct? I think so, but if you think there is any war to be found here, beyond a stylish short segment, you're el-wrongo, this is but a small stone wedged between the great 2nd and 3rd volumes. An entertaining stone, perhaps, but, like your average stone, nothing truly amazing on the inside. Rather Weak dramatics, amazing action, you do the math if it sounds like something you'd dig... Hopefully, with #4, this series doesn't continue to decrease in quality as the number behind the title goes up. It was very small between #1 and #2, but #3 was rather dramatic on this Richter scale.. 8/10 My advice: Rent it with your buddies/gal pals, sit down with a bowl of hot and buttered popcorn, crank up the speaks, and have an action-packed night, but remember to also rent a smarter film to stimulate your brain in the morning! Might I advise a copy of The Matrix or Solaris? I have now seen T3 over three times on DVD , and it most certainly deserves the 10/10 rating that i gave it. T2 didn't set up anything for Skynet's creation. In fact, CRS didnt even exist in T2. T3 added much more to the mythology of the saga than T2 ever did. All they did in T2 was blow up Cyberdyne, big deal! T2 basically ruined everything established in the first film by saying that JD could be prevented. We were left to believe that the future was changed for the better, but i was waiting for T3 ever since i first saw T2, because i knew that things weren't over. T3 told the most important story out of the whole saga, IMO. We see how Skynet was still created despite the events of T2, we are introduced to Robert Brewster and Kate Brewster, we see Skynet and its rise to power, we see the first generation Terminators, we see Judgment Day, and most importantly, we finally see John Connor accept his destiny as the leader of the human resistance. As a huge Terminator fan, i expected a compelling story that took things to the next level in T3 and that is exactly what i got. T3 was a fantastic Terminator film, and it mops the floor with the over-bloated and overrated T2 as far as i'm concerned. It was well-worth the 12 year wait. The acting was fabulous, the story was terrific, the action rocked, and the visual effects were stunning. All the humor in the movie came at the right time, and it was utilized in order to balance out the dark mood and atmosphere of the film. I am glad that T3 went back to T1's blueprint, the story was told on a move and the characters were developed well enough along the way. The Terminator - 10/10 Terminator 2: Judgment Day - 9/10 Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines - 10/10 |