If anyone had predicted at the start of the summer that the second sequel to "The Terminator" would be better and more entertaining than the sequel to "The Matrix," they probably would have been laughed at.
After all, "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" has a new creative team and only one returning star, Arnold Schwarzenegger." Which is not to say that "T3" is as good as its two predecessors. But it is a pretty decent thrill ride, and a pretty decent summer movie. And it's a heck of a lot more fun than the considerably greater hyped "Matrix Reloaded."
There's something quaint, something refreshingly honest about this film's heavy use of standard special-effects techniques, including models, as compared to the prevalent use today of CGI-enhanced or entirely digital effects, characters and settings.
In "Terminator 3," John Connor (Nick Stahl) is still on the run from murderous cyborg killing machines. The Terminators have returned to dispatch those who will aid him in man's struggle against machines. High on their list is Kate Brewster (Claire Danes), a veterinarian with ties to John, who has no idea that the deadly T-X (Kristanna Loken) is on her trail.
But help has arrived from the future, in the form of the original Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger). Or to put in even more simply: He's baaack!
Sure, the story makes little sense — there are cavernous plot holes — but director Jonathan Mostow keeps the action moving so fast that you probably won't notice until much later. (The high-speed chase is a real doozy.)
Also, the cast is clearly having a good time (though Danes is consigned to the hysterical-female role, which is distressing).
Most important, Arnie's one-liners aren't awful.
"Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" is rated R for graphic sci-fi violence (brutal combat, gun play, explosive mayhem and violence against women), occasional use of strong sex-related profanity, gore, brief drug use (barbiturates), brief partial male and female nudity, and use of some crude sexual slang terms and gestures. Running time: 109 minutes.
E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com