“Terminator III: Rise of the Machines” above all is a triumph for Arnold Schwarzenegger. Looking back on his career, other than the “Terminator” franchise, only “Total Recall,” “Predator” and maybe “Conan The Barbarian” stand up as above-average action films. His last decent movie was 1996’s “Eraser.” Since then he has had made a string of disappointments, the worst being his portrayal of Mr. Freeze in the awful, awful “Batman and Robin.”
Schwarzengger’s only iconic role is the Terminator. Now he’s back with what can only be described as an absolutely inspiring performance. Every moment he’s on screen is amazingly compelling. Every line he delivered was pure genius. The highlight had to have been when John Connor expressed his doubts about his future wife and Arnold responded with: “Your thinking is irrational. She is a healthy woman of good breeding age.” He had the audience rolling. Also it cannot be emphasized enough what great physical shape he’s in for a 56-year-old man, or a 26-year-old for that matter.
The plot sets up the action very quickly. A veterinarian named Kate Brewster (Claire Danes) discovers that, like John Connor, someone is trying to kill her. Not just someone, but an evil T-X model Terminator, played by the statuesque model Kristanna Loken. Lucky for them, Arnold shows up to play a spirited round of defense in their high stakes game of human mortality. Oh and Kate’s father is a high-ranking military general who is about to launch “SkyNet.” This becomes important when they realize that this will set off a nuclear holocaust. Complications arise as they attempt to stop its launch and avoid the wrath of the T-X.
Besides Arnold, the rest of the cast of “Terminator III” is somewhat disappointing. I’m a progressive guy, but when I first heard the evil Terminator was going to be played by a woman, I admit I was upset. (This is partly because I thought she was going to be played by Claire Daines). While Kristanna Loken is very attractive, she has very little screen presence. (If only they had cast Vin Diesel in her role: just think of the possibilities.) In the first two films Arnold had to battle Robert Patrick’s unforgettable silent, relentless T-1000 and Michael Biehn’s desperate presence in the original. Who could forget Patrick’s emotionless face as he almost out-ran a car? Or Biehn’s description of the Terminator: “It can’t be reasoned with, it can’t be bargained with…it doesn’t feel pity or remorse or fear… and it absolutely will not stop. Ever. Until you are dead.” I can’t think of one memorable thing the T-X does and this is by far the weakest part of the film.
Nick Stahl, so good in “Bully” and “In the Bedroom” really looks the part of an alcoholic deadbeat. Man was he ugly. I wonder if Edward Furlong was busy or just busy wasting his life away on drugs? Claire Daines, while competent, strikes me as one of the many actors, like Wynona Rider or Owen Wilson, who just don’t belong in an action film. Jonathon Mostow, director of the intense “Breakdown” and “U-571” takes over for James Cameron. This begs the question, just what the heck is James Cameron doing that is so important? Making a documentary on the Titanic? Just move on James, it’s been six years! You have bigger fish to fry.
 I give props to Mostow for the incredible first battle between the Terminators and the ensuing car chase. This was a throwback to the films of the 1980’s when they actually blew stuff up and destroyed property rather than resort to computer trickery. John Connor is pursued by a platoon of riderless cars and a 100-ton construction crane on wheels, that levels everything in its path, such as parked cars, telephone poles, small African nations and a gigantic glass facade of a multi-story building. I was rendered speechless with awe during this sequence and found it so satisfying that when it was over – I didn’t know whether to stand up and high five the guy next to me or lean back and light up a cigarette.
THE VERDICT: Ultimately “Terminator III” isn’t as good as the first two, but is still a very good action film. Schwarzenegger saves the movie and earns every cent of his 30 million dollar paycheck. With a better supporting cast and James Cameron on board this would have been an absolute classic. (B+, A-)

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