Dirk V
Reviewer

     Sequels rarely live up to the successes of their predecessors. “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” was a film better than the original. It was better than “The Terminator” in story and visual effects. “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines” is not better than “Terminator 2,” but it is still an entertaining film.
 
      The plot of “Terminator 3” is simple. It is about 10 years since John Conner and his mother believed they stopped Skynet, the computer program that will attempt to destroy the human race, and therefore prevented Judgment Day. Because John Conner’s current whereabouts are unknown by the machines, they have sent to the past another terminator, a T-X played by Kristanna Loken, to kill Conner’s lieutenants before Skynet is released again. Kate Brewster, Conner’s future wife, sent back another terminator, a T-101 played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, to protect Conner and his lieutenants. After being saved by Schwarzenegger, Conner, played by Nick Stahl, and Brewster, played by Claire Danes, then attempt to prevent the release of Skynet while the T-X is attempting to kill them.
 
      While the plot is interesting and full of surprises, especially to fans of the Terminator series, it is the action sequences that make the film entertaining. Full of spectacular gun battles and chase sequences, there is barely time to contemplate the plot. The action is intense, amusing and mesmerizing.
 
      The acting in the film is better than most action films, but it is not Oscar-worthy. Stahl and Danes give good performances as Conner and Brewster. Schwarzenegger is his usual self as the T-101, and Kristanna Loken does a good job playing a character that does not speak.
 
      “Terminator 3” weaves together action and just enough plot to turn itself into a good film.