Arnold’s back in the latest installment in the
“Terminator” saga. If the recent gubernatorial madness
failed to satiate your appetite for the Austrian muscleman, then
“T3” serves as the perfect dessert.

While not as thrilling or innovative as the James
Cameron-directed originals, Jonathan Mostow’s film adequately
lives up to the name of its predecessors. The themes of the
previous films about the ability to change the future have instead
been replaced with diatribes on destiny and fate.

The action is frenetic and impressive, characterized by a car
chase featuring a fire truck, a dilapidated van and a tow truck
(eat your heart out “The Matrix Reloaded”).
Arnold’s performance is as mechanical as ever and the
Terminatrix (Kristanna Loken) is even more menacing than the T-1000
in “T2.”

The picture is pristine and the audio track is Dolby Digital.
The two-disc set has enough featurettes, interviews and
commentaries to please even the most hardcore
“Terminator” or Schwarzenegger fan. Arnold’s
commentary is incredibly enjoyable, especially when discussing the
Terminatrix’s ability to enlarge her breasts.

While most DVD sets offer numerous deleted scenes,
“Terminator 3” only has one, a humorous mock
recruitment video that shows the creation and development of the
first Terminator. The scene would not fit in the film and its
comedic nature makes it even more out of sync with the tone and
seriousness of the plot. A gag reel rounds out the robust catalogue
of supplements and can be particularly entertaining because of
Arnold’s limited acting ability.

Even as a completely unnecessary and unwanted sequel,
“T3” did not ruin the franchise or tarnish its legacy.
Schwarzenegger made the role of the Terminator into one of the
seminal roles in American cinema, a role he won only after the
producers deemed the leading candidate, O.J. Simpson, “too
nice.”

Movie: 3 stars

Picture/Sound: 4 stars

Features: 4 stars