He said he'd be back, and even though it took twelve years, Ahnold kept his word. After years of development and months of negative buzz, something interesting has happened. Good word of mouth has started to spread suggesting that maybe Terminator 3 is a worthy addition to the franchise despite the exclusion of Terminator creator James Cameron.

Picking up several years after T2, Rise of the Machines follows drifter John Connor (played by Nick Stahl who has replaced Edward Furlong) as he wanders from destination to destination trying to shake the memories that haunt him. He and his mother prevented Judgement Day--or so they thought. It seems that no one's future is written, and this theory is put to the test as a new and improved Terminator (played by the beautiful Kristanna Loken)) surfaces with a mission that goes beyond the termination of Connor. Thankfully, an original model cyborg (Arnold Schwarzenegger once again perfectly slips into the role that made him famous) is sent to preserve the future.

So how is Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines? Aside from Finding Nemo and perhaps 28 Days Later, I'd say it's the most entertaining film of the summer. Is it better than the first two? No, but it is a worthy companion piece thanks to a relentless pace, great special effects work, strong performances, some pretty big surprises, and a bold edginess that I wasn't expecting.

While audiences have become increasingly tough to impress in the special effects department, T3 does manage to deliver, despite an obvious approach. There isn't anything particularly new or fresh about the effects techniques used here, but the film is go for broke, and the story is interesting enough that it succeeds on a level that goes beyond mindless fluff. If you took the visual flare away from Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, you wouldn't have anything left. With T3, that isn't the case. This is a movie smart enough to use effects and stunning car chases to propel the story rather than take it over.

Nick Stahl is a terrific actor and he eases into the role of John Connor nicely. While this performer perfectly conveys exhaustion and confusion, he also lends a sense of toughness that is ultimately very important to this role. Clair Danes would seem an odd choice for the Terminator franchise, but she brings dramatic depth to the picture, and while she is forced to utter a couple of lines of truly awful dialogue, she does rebound in a turn that is similar to Linda Hamiliton's in the first picture. Kristanna Loken plays the merciless villain in the form of T-X, and while she is a beauty, I did tire of the blank stare. Somehow, Robert Patrick managed to be truly menacing in the second picture. T3 is lacking that menace. I did, however, like the moment in which Loken tempts a police officer with her sexuality. Of course these films belong to Mr. Scwharzenegger. This iconic presence is a perfect fit for these movies, and even while many of his lines are downright silly, the big guy pulls it off with his bigger than life appearance and keen sense of timing. He also got into shape for this picture and looks better than ever, and given his declining stock, it's great to see him at the top of his game again.

While James Cameron opted to stay away from the franchise, Jonathan Mostow ( director of the brilliant white knuckler Breakdown and the effective U571) boldly jumped in--attempting to fill some pretty big shoes. There are moments in T3 that don't quite flow properly. Times when I got the sense that scenes were cut from the film--but Mostow and his crew have done some wonderfully creative things with this installment, and they had the good sense to craft a tight, taut film. While many will argue that this movie is too short, I would remind you that the first Terminator film was only about five minutes longer. I would have preferred lengthier Terminator introduction sequences (we get something familiar but with a humorous twist), but Mostow chooses to plunge us right into the thick of things, and can't really complain about that. In the end, I think Mr. Mostow will win over the skeptics. As far as I'm concerned, he is three for three. If you haven't seen his other pictures, check them out. He really has done this franchise justice, and fought every step of the way to see his vision through.

The screenplay here is quite good. Rather than giving the audience one scene in which everything is explained, Terminator 3 gives us surprises and revelations throughout the picture, making for a much more interesting ride. And the entire journey is punctuated by a pretty powerful and unexpected ending that I didn't see coming. T3 also benefits from moments of perfectly timed humor, and it's extremely nifty in the way it links itself to the other Terminator movies. True, there are moments that fall a little flat, but the grand elements in this picture definitely outweigh the weak ones.

Terminator 3 isn't quite as epic as T2, but it certainly delivers as promised. In addition to breathtaking car chases and a heavyweight bout between two terminators, this movie benefits from touches of humor and a sense of drama. Of all the big summer movies, this one was the most surprising. I didn't expect it to be as good as it is, and I for one hope Mostow and crew return for Terminator 4.