User Score
6.3 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 230 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 47 out of 230

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  1. JohnG.
    Jul 2, 2003
    10
    THE action film of the summer. Forget Neo and his pals. Ahnuld's back!
  2. Scorpion
    Jul 2, 2003
    9
    Best Blockbuster this Year.
  3. MillenniumStadium
    Jul 2, 2003
    10
    Good movie, and this should cancel out the deliberate 0 mark. It makes the average mark completely irrelevent otherwise.
  4. RemusL.
    Jul 2, 2003
    9
    Excellent action movie. Arnie is back in shape.
  5. JustinB.
    Jul 3, 2003
    10
    T3 is a funny, action packed summer blockbuster. Go see it
  6. Fantasy
    Jul 4, 2003
    9
    Wonderful sequel in the trilogy of T movies. The only reason I did not give it a 10 is that it would have been better if Arnie had remembered his previous encounter with John Conner where they bonded? He did give him information about his future so he certainly could have been programed about his past? Otherwise, the movie was very good.
  7. KenJ.
    Jul 5, 2003
    10
    The Best action movie I have ever seen I cant wait to see it again, Kristanna Loken was amazing!!!!!!!! Anyone who thinks T-2 was better then this needs to go back and watch it this is better and we have found a star in Kristanna.
  8. H.K.
    Jul 7, 2003
    10
    FEEL THE RUSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  9. KelR.
    Oct 5, 2003
    10
    Holy S*%$ this movie rocked my world. Honestly, I was very skeptical to see this because 1. of the femmebot and 2. Arnold is too old. Well, I was wrong in both cases. The woman terminator is truely badass and Arnold looks as great as he ever did. Bottom line this is the BEST action movie I've ever seen. Yeah, don't go if you want a deeply intriguing movie but DO go is you want to have a blast! Expand
  10. SebastianT800
    Jul 2, 2003
    10
    Super cool.
  11. EricY.
    Jul 2, 2003
    9
    I loved the action in the movie and it was actually much better than I anticipated. The special effects were great and the story was very good also. It also helped that Kristana Loken is HOT. Even with all of the action, there were humerous moments. I was very pleased.
  12. BubbaFresh
    Jul 5, 2003
    10
    Haven't seen a movie this good in a long time. Thanks go out to Mostow who chose Kristanna Loken (Jaw-dropping HOT!) as the terminatrix instead of Chyna. I admit Chyna would be much more terrifying as a villian, because it's a she-man, but I'd rather have wonderful dreams of Loken than nightmares of Chyna. Only problem with this movie is that it guarantees a sequel which for it's success depends solely on Arnold's return. Let's hope He'll be back. In the meantime watch this movie because not only does it have great action, but its also funny. Dumb and Dumberer should take some hints. Expand
  13. JeffreyK.
    Jul 6, 2003
    9
    The movie was good and it lives up the Terminator series expectations.
  14. iSHii
    Jul 8, 2003
    10
    I've seen a lot of movies this year, and this is one of the best I've seen so far. The action scenes were UNBELIEVABLE and the jokes were hilarious. But then again, I'm a 16 year old and don't know sh*t.
  15. CarlosA.
    Jul 9, 2003
    10
    I give this baby a 10! Thats right. But since i am Mexican you probably wount even bother :(.Any way, i really enjoyed this movie. The story was not out of this world but it was good, it is finally reaching judgement day!!! And we saw how it starts. It was cool how the machines are starting to take over, that was great. Arnold was fantastic he still is the #1 action hero! He was very hilarious but still had that "bad ass" look. The rest of the acting was also good, specially the girl terminator(shes very cute).Despite her beauty she still seems... you know "Terminator-ish"!. Conner was a little bit lost in the acting, like if something from him was missing. The special effects are amazing. Specially that chase..wow! The clash between the two terminators was also fabulous. And the ending was very clever. It makes you want to see T4 with anxiety( if there is one).Too bad James Cameron didnt participate, lets hope that for the next one he does!The movie was just great, exiting, funny, thrilling, suspensive......phew!! And again Arnold your the man, great job! Plus i wanna add that this web site is amazing, its so easy to find things you feel at home, awesome job guys! Expand
  16. Bob
    Jul 9, 2003
    9
    Terminator 3:Rise of the machines is a non stop rollercoaster ride of a movie and shows that not all sequels fall flat on their face.
  17. RickJ.G.
    Aug 10, 2003
    9
    Definitely better than "The Matrix Reloaded." A combination of factors make it work better than that other sequel about a machine dominated future. It's not too long, it doesn't bore us with stupid pop philosophy and it doesn't have to live up the expectations that come with being over-hyped, as Reloaded did. Yeah, it's a good thing Cameron didn't direct this one. They'd still be filming it right now, followed up by post-production in 2004 and a Summer 2005 release date (Only to be delayed until Christmas 2005.). They could have had a little more development of the relationship between John and Kate. They seemed to be looking to generate laughs in this film, which they did often. I wanted to see Kate go at it with John over who was going to be in charge at the end. They made fun of just about every sci-fi action movie cliche. It would have been fun to see this one brought up, the one that always sees the lead male character in charge. I mean Kate's a vet who runs her own animal hospital so she's hardly a passive housewife from the '50s. She has an advanced college degree, and she also has a pilot's license. You'd expect her to challenge the reluctant future resistance leader for the top spot once she accepts that the world as she knows it is about to come to an end. Interesting casting decision with Danes as Kate, the future Queen of the Resistance. They did a good job of transforming her into a grown woman, although I couldn't stop thinking of her as a TV sit com teen. She just can't fill Linda Hamilton's shoes here as the lead female character because she still has the face of girl. Maybe she'll look the part better next time, if they make another Terminator movie and cast her again. Overall another entertaining Terminator movie. Expand
  18. BenCozoniW.
    Aug 1, 2003
    9
    This is a succesfull installement in the franchise in my opinion. Allthough I would only give it a 7/10 next to the thought - provoking T1 and T2. The acting is merely functional as the set pieces take over etc. Terminator fans won'y have learned to much new about the Terminater universe after watching this film but it is incredibly entertaining and FUNNY! And also makes frequent nods to the previous films. It is an often comical film, often mocking it self and you decide wether thats positive or negitive! At one point I do admit that I thought it was going to be a Terminator SPOOF! At the end of the day, Terminator is Jim Camerons vision, he IS the Terminator, so Jon Mostow did a good job as as an 'outsider'. My main worry is that the message Cameron wanted to give out (we can decide our own futures, there is no fate for what we make for ourselves bla bla) has been blown out of the water and now the series currently is in a pessimistic position.....which means there HAS yo be a T4 for there to be happy ending. This is a brave move from Jonathon Mostow.. Expand
  19. RonaldL.
    Aug 5, 2003
    10
    Great Action Scenes. Full Time Power and lots of Strength. I watched this one for the 7th time. I can't get enough of it.
  20. richm.
    Jan 10, 2005
    9
    It is the best terminator movie of the 3. Arnold is still one formidable dude. Stahl and Claire Danes did a fine job. And the young lady who played the more advanced terminator who went back in time to kill John Conner & his associates was superb!
  21. DuxaC.
    Dec 12, 2007
    9
    I just finished watching all 3 movies (T1, T2, and this T3) back to back in a marathon. And I must say that it is very good. I would say on par with T2. The plot twists keep you on the edge and action never lets go. Very enjoyable film, and I wish it would keep going.
  22. BobH.
    Jul 1, 2003
    9
    Fun movie that I saw in preview with a packed theater. Forget the reviews. This will be a 200,000,000 million summer blockbuster. If you liked the first two, this one is good as the storyline continues right along. The only negative is that "Auh-nold" has "NO RECALL" of his close association in the last flick with John Conner. Now don't you think that these geniuses from the future could have downloaded that information into his "TOTAL RECALL" memory bank? Otherwise, T3 held the audiences interest with suspense and set the stage for a certain T4. I guarantee "HE WILL BE BACK" again and again and again and again and again...even if they have to wheel him in when he is a senior citizen. Only if he becomes Governor of California can he be stopped. Have some popcorn and enjoy. Expand
  23. [Anonymous]
    Jul 13, 2003
    10
    Best movie so far. It got me thinking about our government secret projects. If there is something like Skynet, then you should know what may happen...
  24. ManfredB.
    Jul 16, 2003
    10
    THE ROBOT LEGEND POINTS WITH GOOD STUNTS AND INTELLIGENT STORY. What a movie,I love it!I do not care when other people dont like it. People have just different taste.I hope we see Terminator 4 as soon as possible.
  25. SaraM.
    Jul 17, 2003
    9
    If you're looking for action, T3 is the right place to look. But non-stop action is not the only thing T3 offers. There is state of the art effects that are mindblowing and action sequences that simply could not be done during the T2 era. Fans of the second may not be as satisfied with this one concerning story plot because it doesn't really offer anything new or shocking, but it nicely ties in what has already happened in the first two movies and just adds to it, like what life is like now for John Conner. I have to say Nick Stahl has done a great job on portraying the reluctant future hero, John Conner and Kristanna Loken is so perfectly casted as the female anti-terminator terninator with her robotic movements with a side of evil tendencies. Arnold is also great of course, I was surprised at how fit and good he looked considering how long ago the second one was made. The ending may seem a little empty or sudden but I think it's perfect for leaving the possiblity open for T4 which rumors have been pointing at. Overall, I think T3 is a great movie that can be enjoyed by long-time fans and new fans alike. Expand
  26. JonH.
    Jul 3, 2003
    10
    This film answered every question every Terminator fan wanted answered since 1982. I thought everything played out perfectly and I don't think it could have been made any better. Damn, that T-X model is FINE!!!
  27. ChuckD.
    Jul 4, 2003
    9
    freaking awesome
  28. Mebot02
    Jul 8, 2003
    10
    the movie was good and you people really need to get a life, move out of your moms basement sometime, meet people (not on the internet) and what is up?? Allen S. do you like live on this website or something???
  29. LordA.
    Aug 6, 2003
    10
    Well, it's Terminator so it's obviously brilliant. The ending was terrible, but the first 1hr 40 mins were simply brilliant. It's not up to the standards of its predecessors though.
  30. U.S.
    Jan 4, 2004
    10
    I was watcing this movie and sadly thinking about what we get about having one more politician and loosing an one uniqe actor.Terminator story never ends?But on other hand computer technologies make miracles and who knows?perhaps we will see Terminator 4 with basic Terminator without Arnold himself.
  31. BrianK.
    Nov 13, 2003
    10
    Sweet movie. Better than Matrix Reloaded!!! The car scene omg it kicks ass! I really thought this movie was gonna suck but it kick a$$!If u wanna see a great action packed movie, See this one!!!!!
  32. t-101
    Jul 11, 2003
    10
    Awesome the best movie by far this year.
  33. Matt
    Jul 12, 2003
    10
    I went expecting a blow'em up, beat the crap outa'em shoot'em up movie. it delivers like a pizza boy in a porno.
  34. DaveW.
    Jul 13, 2003
    9
    A "9" because it *actually* delivered what it promised: Great special effects, good script (for a summer flick,) and it wasn't completely predictable like most sequels are. How often can you say that these days? Go see it.
  35. KevinS.
    Aug 23, 2003
    9
    AWESOME movie. One of the few I actually wasn't disappointed by this year. Totally blows away 'The Matrix Reloaded' as the action-flick/sequel of the summer. It's really funny too, something you don't see much in action movies. And the car chase scene is amazing. If you haven't seen it yet, go now! You're missing one of the best movies of the year so far.
  36. FredC.
    Mar 23, 2004
    10
    This movie is excellent...probably not better then the first two. But there is more of a story then the first two...it has great action and Arnold looks AWESOME as always, better then 99% of people in their prime. Also, not saying I hate you for being a democrat or liberal, but for anyone that reads this...dis-regard all the bad negative feedback left AFTER Arnold decided to run for Governor...they are obviously against him, so they come here and give the movie a bad rating...pathetic. This movie is awesome! Expand
  37. MarkS.
    Dec 12, 2003
    10
    This is the best movie I have ever seen. It has everything you could ever want in a movie: Action, Comedy, and the hotest chick in the world(Kristanna Loken).
  38. May 15, 2011
    10
    So a very outdated model is going to win against a brand spanking new one that can control machines and has plasma casters in her arms. Ya, that will happen. All credit to Arnold, who is a kick ass actor, but I don't think that a (apparently) nuclear powered robot is going to beat the new girl in town.
  39. Aug 2, 2011
    9
    Much better, in my opinion, than JUDGMENT DAY, but RISE OF THE MACHINES is the third entry in the series and has still yet to reach or top THE TERMINATOR.
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 41 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 41
  2. Negative: 1 out of 41
  1. If none of this seems particularly fresh, you're right. "T3" is strikingly similar to "T2" and "T," reflecting Hollywood's reluctance to tamper with a hit series.
  2. 75
    It puts almost everything it has into its explosive set pieces, but manages to instill the audience with just enough emotional involvement. If, Ah-nold decides to come bach again, this installment should ensure he has an audience.
  3. Though this film doesn't have the novelty value of the first or the complex plotting of the second, it boasts the most spectacular single sequence.