 TERMINATOR 3: Rise of the Machines
MPAA Rating:
 for strong sci-fi violence and action, and for language and brief nudityReviewed by: Jay Levitz
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nick Stahl, Kristanna Loken, Claire Danes, David Andrews | Directed by: Jonathan Mostow | Produced by: Andrew G. Vajna, Mario Kassar, Joel B. Michaels, Colin Wilson, Moritz Borman, Guy East, Nigel Sinclair | Written by: Tedi Sarafian, John Brancato, Michael Ferris, John D. Brancato | Distributor: Warner Brothers
Rooting For Robots Terminator 3 is thus named, as it's the third in a series of highly successful action films, the first produced in the '80s, the second in the '90s, and now comes the third in what looks to be an even longer saga. In each film, lone representatives from the future, one sent to murder, the other sent to save, wage war over the life of John Connor. In The Terminator, John was not yet born, in T2: Judgement Day he was an adolescent, and, in this installment, he's a young adult getting ready to fulfill his Savior-like destiny. All three films have had high production values, mixing amazing stunts and explosions with a story of desperate survival against seemingly invinsible machine-enemies (the Terminator robots from the future). All three are rated R for extreme violence, continuous profanity, and some nudity (non-sexual in the case of T3). What is new in T3 is its director, Jonathan Mostow (U571, Beverly Hills Bodysnatchers), replacing the series creator James Cameron (Titanic, Pirhana 2). Plus, this time Arnold Schwarzenegger's Good Terminator is pitted against a Female-Disguised(!) Terminator killer. Maybe the filmmakers were expecting laughter when Arnie smashes a urinal over his female enemy's head? Or when he plunges her head into a toilet? Or...you get the idea.
If you feel entertained watching teenagers being shot to death point-blank in their homes and fast food restaurants; if you get your kicks watching countless cars and their drivers colliding, flipping, and exploding; if you've ever dreamed of slaughtering a roomful of office workers with a machine gun, then maybe T3 is your film of choice. To learn more about the effects of violence on viewers, click here. If honest and thoughtful character counts in the heroes you're asked to root for; if you enjoy a good story that is not simply "Hero Runs From, Fights, and Runs More From Evil Woman Robot" for nearly two straight hours; if you have a brain in your head, then sprint away, don't walk, from any date, group, or impulse that tries to guide you into seeing T3. This film is not "just action." It's pointless mayhem dressed up as an apocalyptic warning and, as such, a waste of your time, money, and Hollywood's imagination. Please don't send a message with your ticket-purchase that you're craving more of the same drivel. T3 pictures human beings as victims of their own computers - unable to harness their technology from becoming "self-aware" and, therefore, at war with men. To learn more about the moment when humans themselves became "self-aware" and began their own war against a different kind of adversary, click here. And if you're still itching for some action, go rent The Right Stuff, a great American epic about the beginning of our space program, when men pushed machines to their limits and inspired a generation. (Although, beware that this PG-rated film has some objectionable profanity and minor sexual references.) Take our TERMINATOR MOVIE TRIVIA CHALLENGE! Year of Release—2003 
Neutral - Action-packed and filled with excellent special effects. Lots of
amusing one-liners.
Turn your brain off,however, when you purchase your ticket as there are
numerous inconsistancies in the storyline. Although there is a lot of
violence, the director used surprising restraint in limiting the amount of
graphic violence on the screen. I didn't notice a lot of profanity,and
the nudity was minimal. It was worth seeing at the theatre for the
special effects, but watch the matinee. Negative — The movie didn't really put forth a "good" guys vs "bad" guys type
of situation. We had trouble understanding the killings early in the
movie, it was never really explained why it was being done. Also the
character of the bad terminator being dressed as a high class women did
not come off well at all. It was hard to feel anything about her one way
or another. It was just not believable, plus she brought really nothing
new in the way of an advanced terminator model(liquid metal,etc), but
more or less reflected a women in the way she did things, even though she
was just a non-human terminator underneath. There was no spark of love or
much in the way of feelings between John Connor and his future wife. It
just never seemed to get past the animosity between the two. It was also
hard to have any feeling for the people who were killed(like reading of a
bus crash in India that kill 50 people)it just seemed so mindless that you
didn't care one way or another, you never felt any sympathy like in the other films(respect for cops,etc) It was
hard to develop any feelings for any of the characters, a real lack of
character development from the beginning to the end of the movie. The
action scenes were so-so compared to the(the MAC truck chase scene)the
other movies.
As a christian there was little if any hope offered for the human race.
There was little sympathy to be felt, little compassion, no mercy offered.
I would not recommend this movie as it has not much to offer new or
innovative as an action movie and from a christian viewpoint little if
anything good can be derived or any deep thinking about God and his
Kingdom be brought forth. Positive — This movie was pretty good, better than the new Matrix. To bring
light to the murders at the beginning of the film, the bad robot is sent
from the future to assassinate future leaders of the resistance. The
Terminator is sent to protect Connor and the woman because they are the
head of the future resistance against the machines. This film is very
violent, but except for the detective cab scene, it is not graphic, but
the violence deserves an R rating. There is some strong profanity, but it
is not excessive like Training Day. The ending is unforgettable, shocking,
and original, it breaks the "good guys win and everyone lives happily ever
after" trend in other blockbusters. This is not a movie to take the kids
though(some irresponsible parents the theater I went to, brought their
kids). But think about this, the people who say senseless violence in
fiction is morally wrong is somehow justifying a real senseless war with
violence in real life. Christ is looking down on liberal Hollywood AND a conservative administration. [Very Offensive / 5] —Luis Cruz, age 20 Neutral — This movie has its good and bad points. The bad points are the obvious shots of bare rear-ends of both robots in the film and the profanity in the film. Other than that, it's a pretty good, intense action flick with a message behind it. Like the title character says, we must realize what our mission in life is and we must realize that we do have a purpose and we must fulfill that purpose. As Christians, our purpose is to serve God in the way that we were designed. Positive — I'd like to offer a different perspective on the film and its message. No matter how hard he tries, John Connor can not change the future. He can postpone it, but he must face what is going to happen. Aren't we also powerless in our lives, despite our best efforts, to change our own future through our willforce? Doesn't Christ have to do it for us through his free gift? I actually found this film refreshing in that humans are not all powerful and able to handle everything. There are some things that are beyond human ability, just as there are in real life.
While there is a high body count, it is due to the evil terminatrix. Isn't that what we expect of evil? I am more concerned when I go to movies where you are made to feel sympathetic to the "good" character, then they do an unexpected sin as part of the story that is viewed as fine. To me this is far more destructive than evil acting evil. There was no pro-homosexuality or anti-Christian messages or positive comments on sinful lifestyles. The movie was strictly an escapist action movie and should be viewed in that way. If you enjoy these movies, then you'll enjoy Terminator 3. Positive — Great effects. Don't read this if you don't want to know the ending. Really the movie left little hope for man kind. Of course, their definition of Judgement Day is a nuclear war that leaves machines in command, unlike the biblical Judgement day when good triumphs. The thought of Judgement Day being postponed, but eventually coming anyway, was interesting. The moral decay and denial of God in our society rapidly increasing, reminds me that Jesus said the end would be like this when He comes. I hope that our prayers, preaching of the Gospel and actions can postpone this divine Judgement day for a few more to enter into the kingdom. Positive — I don't know why everyone is so hard on this movie. I thought it was great. Not too violent compared to the last two or as intense. There was only a minor amount of language and nudity was pretty low (although they could have done better) The plot is a little inconsistant since the saga was supposed to end in Terminator 2 but I think they did a pretty good job covering up and making it fit. Maybe the rest that wasn't explained here will be in the next one (like how the terminators came back after the chips were terminated in the last one). So it wasn't as good as the first two but oh well, still worth seeing. Positive — I thought that this movie was very enjoyable. And no, I do not
get my kicks watching teenagers getting shot point-blank in their homes.
Those particular scenes lasted maybe thirty seconds, combined, and were
not overdone. And the killings were explained in the movie, and they made
sense.
The reason the main bad guy (err. . .girl) was a girl, was that there
hadn't been a bad girl in a Terminator movie before. I have read
interviews where the director said the same thing. Not because the
audience would laugh at her getting beat up by Arnold, or her beating up
Arnold.
Yes, the movie had a lot of action, but it didn't seem excessive, like the
Matrix: Reloaded. True, it was a "Hero Runs From, Fights, and Runs More
From Evil Woman Robot"-type plot, but hasn't that been what all the other
Terminators have been like? Shake your head yes. The movie was very
entertaining, and I do recommend it to people (not young people). Positive — First of all, don't see this movie until you have seen the first
two in the trilogy (maybe an edited version of T1 would be best). You
can't enjoy the movie quite as much without knowing the "terminator
feel."
I went to the theater expecting a fairly good movie, because, in spite of
some objectionable material, I enjoyed the first two. I was not
disappointed with "T3".
The movie, although violent in many places, kept gore to limited amounts.
Swearing, also, was limited to a good degree. And, in the minuscule amount
of nudity present, the director was kind enough to use clever methods of
keeping the actors partly (and importantly) covered. It's rated R, they
didn't have to keep it that clean. I'm very glad they did.
I would be happy if this was the last one...not because of any poor
quality in the movie making, but because it came to such a good
conclusion. The plot was good, the storyline twists were great.
No, this isn't a movie to take little kids to see. No, it doesn't always
have the greatest morals. But it is (in itself) an honest movie. Honest
that people are people, who have emotions, and who make mistakes. And, it
is honest about the fact that there is evil out there, and denying evil's
right to be in any movie (or books) is not appropriate.
The movie doesn't glorify war and violence, as some might say...the whole
storyline of the three Terminator movies is, in fact, people working
towards ending the violence. And that's a pretty good thing to work
towards. Positive — Terminator 3 was a great movie. I thought that the special effects
were great. There is some strong violence in terminator 3 (more than
terminator 2). Some profanity is present, although it is tame for an
R-rated movie. Also, there is brief side nudity of the butt. I loved this
movie though and would recommend this for anyone who has seen any other of
the terminator movies or anyone who enjoys a great action film. No one
under the age of 14 should see this movie though due to its violent
content and some bad language. Movie Critics
"…pointless and mind-numbing…" "…Extreme caution… (plus) plot and character problems…" "…Heavy blood/gore ...Heavy Sex/Nudity ...Heavy profanity ...Extreme violence…" "…It's loud, it's brutal…" "…stunts steal the show…" "…A worthy and welcome addition to the franchise…" |
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