Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Jonathan Mostow

Writers (WGA):

James Cameron (characters) &
Gale Anne Hurd (characters) ...

Release Date:

2 July 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

The Machines Will Rise

Plot:

John Connor is now in his 20's, and a female terminator, called T-X or Terminatrix, is after him. Another T-101 is sent back through time to protect John once again on the verge of the rise of the machines.

Plot Keywords:

Future | Machine | Terminatrix | Computer System | Drifter

Awards:

1 win & 17 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Wed. Nov. 18

8:00 PM

AMC

Cast

Arnold Schwarzenegger	...	Terminator
Nick Stahl	...	John Connor
Claire Danes	...	Kate Brewster
Kristanna Loken	...	T-X
David Andrews	...	Robert Brewster
Mark Famiglietti	...	Scott Petersen
Earl Boen	...	Dr. Peter Silberman
Moira Harris	...	Betsy
Chopper Bernet	...	Chief Engineer
Christopher Lawford	...	Brewster's Aide (as Chris Lawford)
Carolyn Hennesy	...	Rich Woman
Jay Acovone	...	Cop - Westside Street
M.C. Gainey	...	Roadhouse Bouncer
Susan Merson	...	Roadhouse Clubgoer #1
Elizabeth Morehead	...	Roadhouse Clubgoer #1

Also Known As:

T3 (USA) (promotional abbreviation)
T3: Rise of the Machines (USA) (trailer title)
Terminator 3 (USA) (working title)
Terminator 3 - Rebellion der Maschinen (Germany)
York Square (USA) (fake working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sci-fi violence and action, and for language and brief nudity.

Runtime:

109 min

Country:

USA | Germany | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS (8 channels)

Certification:

Iceland:14 | Malaysia:U | Italy:T | South Korea:15 | Iceland:16 (video rating) | Canada:14A (Canadian Home Video rating) | India:UA | Netherlands:12 (TV version) (slightly cut) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Brazil:14 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Denmark:15 | Finland:K-15 | France:U | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Japan:PG-12 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:M | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Philippines:PG-13 | Singapore:NC-16 | Singapore:PG (cut) | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Zurich) | Switzerland:16 (canton of the Grisons) | UK:12A (original rating) | UK:12 (video rating) (2003) | USA:R (certificate #39974) | Ireland:12PG (original rating) | Ireland:12 (video rating)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

C-2 Pictures

Trivia:

According to an interview with Andrew G. Vajna, Ridley Scott was asked to direct the film, but he had already committed to Black Hawk Down (2001).

Goofs:

Continuity: When the T-X climbs back into the crane vehicle, it is passing the building with the blue front that was wrecked by the crane earlier in the chase.

Quotes:

[first lines]
John Connor: [voiceover] The future has not been written. There is no fate but what we make for ourselves. I wish I could believe that. My name is John Connor, they tried to murder me before I was born, when I was 13 they tried again. Machines from the future. Terminators. All my life my mother told me the storm was coming...

Movie Connections:

References Throw Momma from the Train (1987)

Soundtrack:

Macho Man

Introducing the T-X.

Schwarzeneggar is back (he said he would be) as another T-1000 cyborg sent through time to protect the now grown up John Connor (Nick Stahl), and his future wife, Kate (Claire Danes), who are being stalked by the T-X (Kristanna Loken), the latest in murderous machines hellbent on destroying the human race.

Rise Of The Machines might not be the (near) perfect juggernaut of an action sequel that was Cameron's Judgement Day, but as far as edge-of-the-seat, sci-fi fun goes, it's still bloody good! Director Jonathan Mostow certainly makes the most of his mega-budget, and delivers plenty of jaw-dropping mayhem along with loads of impressive special effects. And Schwarzenneggar does what he does best: blowing things up, shooting huge weapons, and delivering cheesy one-liners.

The (mostly) smart script follows on nicely from The Terminator and T2, further developing the character of John Connor, neatly explaining away the absence of Linda Hamilton in a not-too-disappointing way, and brilliantly bringing the whole affair to a satisfying, and not altogether happy, conclusion. There is blistering action (a set piece involving a massive crane causing untold damage to umpteen cars and buildings is absolutely incredible), some nice touches of humour, and a bit of quite gruesome violence (for a DVD that is rated 12!).

Sure, T3 isn't quite as good as its predecessors, but how many films are? Both the original The Terminator and T2 are extremely tough acts to follow. I think Rise Of The Machines does a pretty good job and deserves a lot more praise than it gets.