Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines

Name: Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Released: July 2, 2003
Duration: 109 min
Rating: 66
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kristanna Loken, Nick Stahl

2003

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 41 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 854 Ratings

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7.4

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7.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 854 Ratings

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Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: July 2, 2003 | R

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kristanna Loken, Nick Stahl

Summary: The highly anticipated third installment in one of Hollywood's most innovative and celebrated franchises, which was originated with the 1984 release of "The Terminator." Melding riveting suspense, trademark humor and explosive action, Terminator 3 pays homage to its predecessors and adds an electrifying new chapter to the series'The highly anticipated third installment in one of Hollywood's most innovative and celebrated franchises, which was originated with the 1984 release of "The Terminator." Melding riveting suspense, trademark humor and explosive action, Terminator 3 pays homage to its predecessors and adds an electrifying new chapter to the series' sophisticated mythology. [T3 Productions]… Expand

Director: Jonathan Mostow

Genre(s): Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 109 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Scott Foundas

Here's a picture that you actually want to see a second time, not for the sake of further wrapping your head around its gnarly conceptual matrix, but because of the sheer visceral charge it provides. Here, at long last, is a summer movie -- like its precursors in the Terminator canon -- worth its weight in cybernetic organisms. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

An expertly paced and efficient sci-fi thrill machine, "T3" effectively marries impressive action sequences with persuasive storytelling and its star's uniquely appealing style of "No" drama -- as in no reaction, no expression, no emotion of any kind. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Gets the most bang for its buck by letting the camera linger on the spectacle, and allowing tension, not flashiness, to be its hallmark. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

The brute force of Terminator 3 is relieved, I'm happy to say, by Claire Danes's winning performance as John Connor's reluctant accomplice (whom the production notes describe, not inaccurately, as an "unsuspecting veterinarian"); by many of the special effects, which don't seem obsolete at all, and, yes, by the sinister trix of the Terminatrix.

Rick Groen

That's not to say Terminator 3 is terminally awful -- just banal, merely humdrum, more conventional horror flick than science-fiction myth, and a whole lot less than what came before. Read full review

Peter Rainer

I don’t mind the movie’s retro-ness, but I wish Mostow didn't take pulp so seriously. Read full review

Lou Lumenick

Pointless and mind-numbing. Read full review

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User Reviews

WykedEvil

May 15, 2011

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 newSo 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.… Expand

10 of 37 users found this helpful1027

Libation70

Aug 2, 2021

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ThatCooperGuy

Jun 25, 2015

Terminator 3 really did not need to happen, especially since the movie is just a retread of T2(which was also a retread of the T1). I would be offended, but only if the movie wasn't entertaining. I find it to be very enjoyable, even though its existence was just to milk more money. It's notTerminator 3 really did not need to happen, especially since the movie is just a retread of T2(which was also a retread of the T1). I would be offended, but only if the movie wasn't entertaining. I find it to be very enjoyable, even though its existence was just to milk more money. It's not great, but it comes very close to being great. It's more of a pointless, yet entertainingly good sequel.… Expand

10 of 12 users found this helpful102

diogomendes

Jun 7, 2015

"Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" is a step back over its predecessor, with a storyline trying to achieve the same results of the previous outputs, but it's still action-packed and Arnold Schwarzenegger continues delivering successfully quotable lines of dialogue. If it wasn't for him, we"Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" is a step back over its predecessor, with a storyline trying to achieve the same results of the previous outputs, but it's still action-packed and Arnold Schwarzenegger continues delivering successfully quotable lines of dialogue. If it wasn't for him, we would be looking at a 4/10 film.

6/10.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

Official

Mar 8, 2014

It's not nearly as good as the second film - it lacks emotional characters and a strong heart. However, it does not fail to entertain us with its intense and explosive action sequences.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

Thorn

Mar 27, 2006

There were some obvious goofs in the filming of T3. [***SPOILERS***] First of all, Arnie says that each T101 has two fuel cells powering it. He dumps one cell at the beginning of the film and the other cell at the end - leaving him with no cells and no power. Yet somehow, unbelievably, he There were some obvious goofs in the filming of T3. [***SPOILERS***] First of all, Arnie says that each T101 has two fuel cells powering it. He dumps one cell at the beginning of the film and the other cell at the end - leaving him with no cells and no power. Yet somehow, unbelievably, he keeps operating as though he has power and the light in his eye only goes out *after* the .. um... "grand finale". Where is this mysterious battery power coming from? The repeating scenes from the other T-films was absurd. Quotes were being repeated.. whole action sequences seemed to have been copy-pasted over.. I can't see this film having much rewatchability.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful

MikeC.

Mar 22, 2007

Sorry, but this is the worst movie of the trilogy. Casting is awful and actors don't look too well directed in this movie. 0/10 (BAD)

1 of 1 users found this helpful

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