Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
Your levity is good, it relieves tension and the fear of death.
A review by Mike Shea Movie Rating: ( * * * * · ) DVD Rating: ( * * * * * )
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I have grown up on the Terminator. It has been a part of my life for as long as I have been watching movies. Unlike many sequels today, which seem to all come out at once, it has taken twenty years for the three Terminator films to come out. I was excited to hear about T3 until I saw it was about a hot chick Terminator, Cameron didn't do it, and Linda Hamelton wasn't in it. Only Schwarzenegger returns. With this in mind, I walked in expected T3 to suck. I was dead wrong. T3 may be the best of the three.
T3 is packed with action and good science fiction. These are the life-blood of a movie like this. The action is fast, brutal, and fun. The TX is the main drive of the movie's advertisement but luckily is not the focus of the movie. The story, and particular the ending, are what holds this movie together. The acting is ok, but nothing particularly noteworthy. Our young twenty-something John Conner isn't near as annoying as the John Conner of T2. The plot keeps our heroes moving right along but finds time to tell a good story. Although the movie dances all around it, the romance is tastefully avoided except in conversation.
The DVD of T3 is quite good, with a 2.35 to 1 16x9 enhanced picture and a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. There is a commmentary with Schwarzenegger as well as some other special features. This DVD is as good as I could ask for, and probably one worth buying.
T3 is one of the few times I have really enjoyed a sequel with as much marketing as this. It is a solid action flick with a good story and a great ballsy ending. Don't miss it.