Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: July 2, 2003
7.4
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 861 Ratings
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Positive:
554
Mixed:
227
Negative:
80
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User scoreBy dateMost helpful
4
ThornMar 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 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
6
grandpajoe6191Sep 18, 2011
"T3" lacks what made "T2" and "T1" a masterpiece, but it still has the blockbuster spirit within the movie.
6 of 10 users found this helpful64
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6
drlowdonDec 24, 2020
Ten years after the events of Terminator 2: Judgment Day, John Connor, still fearing that the war against the machines may still come to pass, has been living in hiding following the death of his mother. Unable to locate John in the past,Ten years after the events of Terminator 2: Judgment Day, John Connor, still fearing that the war against the machines may still come to pass, has been living in hiding following the death of his mother. Unable to locate John in the past, Skynet sends a new Terminator model back in time to John's present time period to instead kill other top members of the future Human Resistance, thereby ensuring Skynet's rise.

Terminator 3 is a decent enough action movie with some excellent special effects and exciting scenes, but it’s a movie that just never seems necessary and the ending essentially completely undoes the finale of the previous movie. As a stand alone action flick it’s entertaining enough for the most part, but as a Terminator movie and follow up to one of the best films ever made it’s a disappointment.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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5
KaptainHutchinoDec 12, 2013
Doesn't live up to the standards set by the first two, and isn't as interesting or thought-provoking, but has some more catchphrases and special effects to keep it going.
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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6
vikesh2206Jul 18, 2015
While the characters aren't as fleshed out as it's two masterful predecessors, the action and the charisma of Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 3 does just enough to compensate.
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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5
TheRussianatorApr 17, 2018
Rise of the Machines suffers from weak performances from Nick Stahl and Claire Danes, a repetitive plot, and dumbass gags and laughs throughout. Very disappointing, especially compared to the greatness of the first two films.
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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6
OfficialMar 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
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4
lukaskaufmannMay 28, 2019
At least we have Arnold. His acting saves this movie from being a total disaster. But looking past Arnold, Terminator 3 is the theatrical equivalent of cleaning a 93 year old man’s colostomy bag. I was expecting **** but was somehow surprisedAt least we have Arnold. His acting saves this movie from being a total disaster. But looking past Arnold, Terminator 3 is the theatrical equivalent of cleaning a 93 year old man’s colostomy bag. I was expecting **** but was somehow surprised by the amount of **** I was presented with.… Expand
1 of 4 users found this helpful13
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6
MovieLonely94Oct 26, 2010
its my least favorite in the series, but it has the charm of Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator.
1 of 5 users found this helpful14
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6
Compi24Nov 28, 2012
A few intensely entertaining set pieces serve to only just elevate this movie above its cheesy story and hammy dialogue.
1 of 5 users found this helpful14
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4
JacobJun 9, 2015
The best thing about Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines is that Linda Hamilton dropped out of it because it is soulless. This is the same story we’ve heard before except with even more action and is mostly an uninspired retread of the firstThe best thing about Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines is that Linda Hamilton dropped out of it because it is soulless. This is the same story we’ve heard before except with even more action and is mostly an uninspired retread of the first film. The film does take some time out to have a occasionally heartfelt moments but not enough to warrant the film’s existence. Arnold is entreating but that’s about it. At the end of the day this is not only an unnecessary sequel but an unpleasant one that is a slap in the face to Terminator 2: Judgement Day. Mixed feelings on the ending, which while surprising feels like a punch in the gut like being told that the Tooth Fairy isn’t real.… Expand
1 of 6 users found this helpful15
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6
J24O1Jun 12, 2013
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's a good pop-corn movie but lack's that serious wow factor. The story doesn't live up to the first two movie's. The opening sequence when we first see the Terminator. Set's the tone of the movie. Enjoyable nonetheless.… Expand
1 of 8 users found this helpful17
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5
pauljohnsonFeb 16, 2012
While its certainly an entertaining film, the action sequences are fun to watch, and some of the one-liners are pretty funny, its essentially a dumb action film. The Terminator, who's most fascinating quality in T2 was his quest to understandWhile its certainly an entertaining film, the action sequences are fun to watch, and some of the one-liners are pretty funny, its essentially a dumb action film. The Terminator, who's most fascinating quality in T2 was his quest to understand Humanity, is instead reduced to a dumb joke machine. The character development is thin on the whole, and the T-X is far too over the top for my liking. The T-1000 was a much more threatening villain. If you want a damn good film, watch Terminator 2. If you want a decent summer action flick for passive enjoyment, watch this.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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6
Bruce722Nov 29, 2012
Unfortunately this was the worst of the series. The selection for the John Connor character was terrible, the invincibility of the Terminators has gotten more and more extreme each time, and while the effects have become markedly improvedUnfortunately this was the worst of the series. The selection for the John Connor character was terrible, the invincibility of the Terminators has gotten more and more extreme each time, and while the effects have become markedly improved over the years, the CGI looked overdone. I mean, it was still an entertaining movie but it just wasn't as good as the first two. Hopefully Christian Bale makes Salvation BA because this definitely was not.… Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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6
csw12Dec 18, 2012
A decent yet terribly acted picture. It doesn't have the storyline or characters as the second installment but has much better single piece action sequences than many other films.
0 of 4 users found this helpful04
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6
diogomendesJun 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"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
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6
Larry223Dec 18, 2014
T3 no llega a ser una obra maestra como T1 y T2, sin embargo, yo no pienso que sea una perdida de tiempo o un fracaso. En T2 James Cameron acabo con la franquicia dándole un final, pues aquí vienen a continuar la historia al desirnos que elT3 no llega a ser una obra maestra como T1 y T2, sin embargo, yo no pienso que sea una perdida de tiempo o un fracaso. En T2 James Cameron acabo con la franquicia dándole un final, pues aquí vienen a continuar la historia al desirnos que el dia del juicio es inevitable por que algunas cosas simplemente no se pueden parar. Como la muerte, la creación de una I.A real, etc. Lo que molestara a los fans de las películas es que el inicio no esta bien enfocado. Iniciamos con John Connor, de hay pasamos con la T-X, de hay vamos con un personaje que no conocemos pero sera importante por que la muestran muy temprano, de hay vamos con el T-101 y volvemos con John Connor. La película debió iniciar como las anteriores: Salen los Terminator, se establece la amenaza, de hay vamos con los personajes y los desarrollan y seguimos con la trama junto a escenas de acción. Aquí no esta ese orden y esta algo fuera de lugar. Pero si hablamos de las escenas de acción son increíbles, el CGI se ve bien, un poco raro aveces pero es 2003, me sorprende lo bien que se ve para su época, los efectos prácticos/reales también abundan, eso siempre ayuda. Yo fui a esta película intentando disfrutarla, el inicio puede molestar por un par de tonterías como que John Connor toma pastillas que les dan a los animales sin saber que son. Aun con sus problemas creo que se pueden sacar buenas películas en el futuro ya que podemos ver mas de la resistencia o un reinicio por un viaje en el tiempo con la película "Terminator Genesis" que saldrá en 1 año. Le doy un 06/10, no es una abominación, solo no esperes una obra maestra como las anteriores. Al final la película no esta mal.… Expand
0 of 6 users found this helpful06
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6
FilipeNetoMar 14, 2021
After two excellent films, Hollywood made the mistake of reviving the “Terminator” franchise and ruining it completely. But in this film we are still at an acceptable level of quality where things still seem to make some sense. In this film,After two excellent films, Hollywood made the mistake of reviving the “Terminator” franchise and ruining it completely. But in this film we are still at an acceptable level of quality where things still seem to make some sense. In this film, we follow John Connor in another race to save himself from a TX machine, sent from the future, in the form of a woman, but with the mission of killing him and all the future human militia commanders. It is more of the same if we think about it and if we want to compare this film with its predecessors. But with less quality.

Overall, I liked the film, it honors its predecessors, but it is not able to do better, nor to do it differently. As has already happened, the film is essentially based on chases with immense destruction and shootings with increasingly powerful weaponry. There are several attempts to create comedic moments, but they don't always work and the dialogues are spiritless and sometimes irritating. And now that I mention it, one thing that caught my attention, and I don't know if it was just me, was the forced way in which the famous catchphrase “I'll be back” was used. And I don't even talk about monologues... I think some of them were perfectly expendable.

Again, as in other times, it is Arnold Schwarzenegger's performance that saves the film. As if he were a colossus, he is the one who carries it on his back. And in fact he is a great actor and is totally at ease in the role, which he already knows and immortalized. Nick Stahl is average and does reasonably in the role of Connor, but it did not convince me much. Better than him, Claire Danes is very good for the role she received and is the only actress who can keep up with Schwarzenegger in his work. Kristanna Loken is also quite good.

Technically, it is a very good film, but I still prefer “Terminator 2”, even though I know that the special effects used do not have the refinement of this film. I think the effects used in the film do their job well, but they can't be as surprising as those used in the older film. The action scenes, of course, are the strongest part of the film, and fill the measures with those who appreciate the genre, with immense destruction, explosions and twisted iron. Cinematography is very good, and makes good use of urban landscapes, the desert and scenes without light or in low light. Good editing and editing also help, and sets and costumes fulfill their role. The soundtrack makes good use of the leitmotiv of the franchise, but it does not stand out particularly.… Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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4
Dungeon00XNov 14, 2019
A lot of great action scenes, but overall the movie isn't all that good. It's disappointing to watch as basically the franchise takes it's first nosedive.
0 of 3 users found this helpful03
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4
geewahJan 30, 2021
What was the point of this?
Some decent action scenes and that's it.
The key to the original Terminator was even though it was an original story for it's time, it was still a simple one.
This is just one convoluted, ill conceived mess.
0 of 3 users found this helpful03
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6
KenJul 15, 2003
It is not done in the same style as the previous 2 movies because it's a different director. T & T2 can stand on it's own as a dramatic movie with serious scenes. T3 can not. This movie is for kids or anyone who wanna see violence. It is not done in the same style as the previous 2 movies because it's a different director. T & T2 can stand on it's own as a dramatic movie with serious scenes. T3 can not. This movie is for kids or anyone who wanna see violence. It didn't even make sense sometimes. … Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
TyranianApr 14, 2019
Decent third film, Arnie is still great and there is some solid action. Villain is a bit stupid.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
MovieManiac83Apr 23, 2015
Terminator 3 is the summer movie of 2003 that hard-core action fans have been awaiting. It's not ponderous and incomplete like The Matrix Reloaded. It's not steeped in characterization and modern-day mythology like Hulk. And it's not vapidTerminator 3 is the summer movie of 2003 that hard-core action fans have been awaiting. It's not ponderous and incomplete like The Matrix Reloaded. It's not steeped in characterization and modern-day mythology like Hulk. And it's not vapid and flashy like Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle and Bad Boys 2. Instead, it's a relatively straightforward science fiction adventure film - just what movie-goers expect from a third outing with Arnold Schwarzenegger's cybernetic alter-ego.

The movie is not weighted down by plot, but it does have a recognizable storyline featuring legitimate characters and a few nice (but minor) twists. Some degree of attention is helpful - Terminator 3 is not an intellectual challenge, but neither is it vacuous. The film has plenty of action sequences, some of which are spectacular. Director Jonathan Mostow has wisely not relied too much on computer graphics for these. A fair amount of stunt work was required, and the computer components are incorporated seamlessly. Additionally, Mostow does not play the game of cutting every second or so, and the music never upstages the visuals. Terminator 3 gets the most bang for its buck by letting the camera linger on the spectacle, and allowing tension, not flashiness, to be its hallmark.

If you take a step back and examine Terminator 3 from a distance, it bears all the characteristics of a road movie. Strip away the action sequences and the science fiction/time travel veneer, and that's what's left. But, since the average road movie is terminally boring, Mostow provides plenty of pyrotechnics along the way. Terminator 3 is a closer cousin to Terminator 2 than it is to the original. Like the first sequel, this movie is more concerned with elevating the pulse than stimulating the mind. There was plenty of action in The Terminator, but that movie was founded on ideas and paradoxes. In Terminator 2 and Terminator 3, the thought-provoking skeleton is still in place, but a much greater importance has been placed on the visceral impact.

Terminator 3 has a number of impressive action sequences, including one that features two crashing helicopters and another in which the T-101 and T-X go at it, one-on-one. But none is more impressive than the crane chase, where the world's largest crane goes crashing through everything in its path in an out-of-control attempt to (literally) run down John and Kate. (When Warner Brothers became skittish about budgetary issues, Schwarzenegger chipped in $1.6 million to allow the sequence to be finished.) It's hard to say which is the summer's best chase: this one or the equally spectacular one in The Matrix Reloaded.

Will there be a Terminator 4? The ending allows for one, and parts of the story have yet to be told. But, from an action standpoint, is there any way that way that a fourth picture could be anything other than a re-hash of its predecessors? And can the franchise succeed without its star (who, barring a failure to gain political office, will not be interested)? Those are questions for the future. However, considering how well Terminator 3 is likely to fare at the box office, the future won't be that far away. It has taken a long time to get Terminator 3 to the screen, and, while the production doesn't rock the action motion picture industry to its foundation, it's a credible and entertaining movie, and was worth the wait.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
EpicLadySpongeFeb 3, 2016
Rise of the Machines lost the charming from the first two movies that consider them to be the best movies in the entire franchise. What this Terminator still have is that it's somehow enjoyable and filled with surprises.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
FuturedirectorJul 6, 2017
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines have some impressive action sequences as its predecessors. Sadly, its so-so script and simplistic plot sink this flawed sequel even downer.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
eva3si0nOct 25, 2020
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines continuation of the excellent 2 part. Arnold Schwarzenegger is still playing great here and the franchise itself is not completely tired of self-repetition. A medium-quality thriller, primarily a stand-outTerminator 3: Rise of the Machines continuation of the excellent 2 part. Arnold Schwarzenegger is still playing great here and the franchise itself is not completely tired of self-repetition. A medium-quality thriller, primarily a stand-out idiotic plot that simply ruins the ending of the 2 part. And in fact, looking at the last films in the series, it seems that Rise of the Machines is not a bad film.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
alexandreaDec 1, 2021
Nothing impressive coming from this movie, it´s easily the worst terminator movie.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
LoletinAlexisJul 24, 2019
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines is a decent continuation of the previous two films. It never comes close to the quality level of the previous ones, but I don't think its visualization is a waste of time.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
Gamepro3093Aug 19, 2020
Not even a patch on the first 2 movies but entertaining enough as a stand alone movie being it and everything before Dark Fate is now non canon.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
FloroOct 17, 2021
Very cliched and mediocre plot that ruins the masterpiece called Terminator 2. But I guess it will be kinda enjoyable if you ignore some of the flaws and if you're not a fan of this movie's predecessors.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
NickTheCritickMay 1, 2022
Was it really necessary to make such a poor third film ruining the first two perfect film? The clear demonstration that not everyone can take over the legacy of the greats.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
EnergiyeMar 24, 2022
It works great as a parody of T2, but as a followup it's pretty disappointing.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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