'T3'
(Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kristanna Loken / R / 159 mins / Warner Bros.)
Overview: Destined leader of the human race John Connor — the target in 'Terminator 2: Judgment Day' and humanity's savior — is 22 now and keeping a very low profile. By not having a phone, a home, credit cards, or even a job to go to every day, he can avoid being detected by Skynet, the network of machines that's still after him. Skynet sends its latest creation — the T-X, a deadly and nearly indestructible female terminator (Kristanna Loken) able to change shape and disappear altogether — from the future back in time to continue the pursuit. It's up to the T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger) to protect John, stop the relentless T-X, and save the world.
Verdict: Essentially a B movie, content to be loud, dumb and obvious, 'T3' abandons its own tradition to provide wall-to-wall action in what is essentially one long chase and fight, punctuated by comic, campy or simplistic dialogue! 'T3' begins promisingly and entertains for a stretch because you think it's leading to something more than one of the movie year's flattest conclusions! That said, loyal fans who actually do care about the Terminator saga's story will find some real surprises here, and while the production doesn't rock the action motion picture industry to its foundation, it's a credible and entertaining movie, and was worth the wait ... for those able to except a prolonged conclusion! And, to be quite honest, the opening joust's mega-bumper-car ride makes for nearly as impressive a carnival of destruction as the great freeway battle in 'The Matrix Reloaded'!
Reviewed by Russell A. Trunk
'T3'