Less really is more
‘Terminator’ sequel has all the right stuff
Phil Witte is a copy editor for the News-Press and Burbank Leader
and a Cyberdyne Systems model T-6 7/8.
Sequels tend to fall into two categories: those that do not merely
attempt to be a duplicate of the original (“Alien,” “X-Men” and
“Godfather”), and those that stink (everything else). “Terminator 3:
Rise of the Machines,” is the latest installment in a series that
proves to be the exception to the rule.
As in the previous two “Terminator” films, a machine has been sent
back in time to kill John Connor (real or potential), and another
machine (no offense to Michael Biehn) has been sent back to prevent
that killing. It’s the same thing we’ve seen before, but it keeps
getting better.
In a summer in which the enduring image has been that of Neo
fighting 100 Agent Smiths in “The Matrix,” “T3” is almost a
contradiction -- a multimillion-dollar minimalist action film. The
familiar T-1000 (Arnold Schwarzenegger) must prevent the new
kill-bot, T-X (Kristanna Loken) from killing Connor (Nick Stahl).
Most of the film is occupied with fighting and chasing between the
killing machines, but that is more than enough to keep us
entertained.
New to this installment is Claire Danes as Kate Brewster, an
ostensible love interest for Connor who assumes the role of strong
female, which previously had been held by his mother. Danes handles
herself, and automatic weaponry, just fine.
Director Jonathan Mostow takes over from James Cameron and proves
just as adept with the material. The film barrels along, with enough
slow spots for audiences to catch their breath, and the
special-effects money was spent on the right toys.
* “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines” is rated R for strong
sci-fi violence and action, language and brief nudity.