Terminator 3 (4½ Stars)

"Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" has the unenviable task of following two of the greatest science fiction films ever made. It isn't as good as either of them, but that's hardly a criticism. Taken on its own terms, "Terminator 3" is an excellent action film and a worthy continuation of the story.

Ten years have passed since John Connor and his mother prevented Judgment Day. Sarah is now dead and John has disappeared off the grid. He has no permanent home, no telephone and no credit cards. Nick Stahl looks gaunt and weary, very different from Edward Furlong in "Terminator 2", but that fits the character perfectly. John has spent his life preparing to become the leader of humanity, only to be told that the future he was preparing for no longer exists. He doesn't know what to do with himself, but he can't quite believe that the danger has gone away.

Then another Terminator arrives.

Kristanna Loken is superb as the T-X, a new model sent back to kill John and other future Resistance leaders. It would have been a mistake to imitate Robert Patrick's T-1000, and Loken creates something quite different. She's cold and mechanical, but she's also been programmed with distinctly female characteristics which she uses to her advantage. One of my favourite moments comes when she tastes John Connor's blood. Her expression of pleasure is almost sexual. She's found the man she's looking for, and she seems to savour the moment.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is back as another T-800, this time sent to protect John and Kate Brewster. There's more humour than in the previous films, but humour has always been part of the series, particularly in "Terminator 2", and the increase doesn't bother me. Arnold is still completely convincing when the action begins, and "Terminator 3" has some magnificent action sequences. The chase involving the enormous crane is particularly spectacular, relying on a level of physical destruction that still looks impressive today.

Claire Danes' Kate doesn't look like a future Resistance leader, but why should she? At this point she's a veterinarian living an ordinary life. She has years ahead of her to become the woman she's destined to be. John and Kate are both being pushed towards futures that neither of them is ready to accept.

And then comes the ending.

For most of the film we're led to believe that John and Kate are racing against time to stop Skynet and prevent Judgment Day once again. They reach Crystal Peak expecting to find Skynet's central core. It isn't there. There is no central core. Skynet has spread through computer networks and there's nothing left for them to destroy.

They haven't been sent to Crystal Peak to stop Judgment Day. They've been sent there to survive it.

When I first saw the film, this revelation shocked me. I didn't see it coming at all. After two films about preventing the nuclear apocalypse, "Terminator 3" has the courage to let it happen. Judgment Day wasn't prevented in "Terminator 2"; it was merely postponed.

Then, as nuclear missiles begin flying and the old world disappears, radio messages start arriving at Crystal Peak. People are confused and frightened, asking what's happening and looking for someone to tell them what to do. John picks up the radio and answers.

This is what everything has been leading towards. John has spent years running away from the destiny that his mother prepared him for, but when the moment finally arrives he doesn't need anyone to tell him what to do. He takes command. John Connor finally becomes John Connor.

"Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" isn't "The Terminator" and it isn't "Terminator 2". It doesn't need to be. It's exciting, spectacular and far more intelligent than its reputation suggests. Most importantly, it takes the story somewhere that genuinely matters. The future hasn't been prevented. The war is about to begin.

Success Rate:  + 0.3

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