Review by Tom Johnson(tomjohnson@thecinemasource.com)

Since “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” opened in 1991 and inspired a whole new wave of CGI-driven blockbusters, the question on every action fan’s mind has been “what about T3”? 13 years later, “T3” finally arrives. But instead of drooling and eager anticipation , the fan response to trailers and ads has been lukewarm to say the least. With lines like “she’ll be back” and a female robot named “The Terminatrix” looming, it looked like the series had jumped the shark. In a summer filled with movies that have taken “T2”’s formula to the next level and added new wizardry to the mix, “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines” seemed destined to fail. It’s ironic then that “T3” is not only the best film of Summer 2003, but also the best film of the series.

Going into the film, I was cautiously optimistic, simply hoping it would give closure to an outdated franchise. By the time the credits rolled, all I could think was “bring on T4”. The special effects are, by no means, as revolutionary as those of the first and second film for their respective times, and the basic plot driving the series has recently been ripped off and used to a more entertaining degree in the two “Matrix” films. It makes no matter. Director Jonathan Mostow treats these two elements like crutches to be kicked out from under the film. Without a new "gee-wiz" factor, all he has left to wow audiences is a great script and killer action psychology. He has the skill to pull both off in a stellar directorial effort worthy of James Cameron himself. The end result is a high-speed thrill ride that pulls out all the stops. Unlike recent rides like “2 Fast 2 Furious” and “Charlies Angels: Full Throttle”, however, “T3” backs its fireworks up with plot and character depth. You want the good guys to win, because the film shows you just what’s at stake if they don’t. More importantly, it makes you care.

The story picks up in the near future. Judgment Day, originally scheduled for 1997, has indeed been averted. Or so it seems(cue scary drum roll). Now in his young 20s, John Conner(Nick Stahl) lives like a drifter, haunted by dreams of the nightmarish future that could be. He is terrified of his destiny, and runs from it every second of his life. He’s about to run a lot harder, though, as the machines have sent back the T-X(Kristanna Loken), its meanest and smartest killing machine yet, to not only assassinate Conner, but also his future comrades in the Resistance, including perky young veterinarian, Kate(Claire Danes). Que Ah-nuld, sent to ice the TX like he iced her predecessor. After acquiring his clothes and shades in the films’ funniest manner yet, the Schwarzenegger sets off not only ...