TERMINATOR 3
"I'll be back" said the Terminator, and sure enough 12 years later, so he is.

Years have passed since the T-800 Terminator was sent back to protect John Connor (Edward Furlong) from the latest model terminator (Robert Patrick). Yet Connor (Now played by Nick Stahl  since Furlong is reportedly a major druggie and totally unreliable) lives a low profile, taking jobs that only pay cash, using false names, moving from place to place, never settling down in the fear Terminators from the future will again find him.  This plan actually works. But the machines have devised a new plan: To go back in time and kill all of Connor's future lieutenants. To do this, they send back a Terminatrix 23 year old, 5'11" Kristanna Loken. All I can say is ha-cha-cha! I am reminded of Natasha Henstridge's breathtaking debut in "Species". I must rent that movie again. However, Loken only remains naked for a few moments before finding suitable clothes and begins her mission of death.

Connor is  inadvertently discovered by the Terminatrix while she goes after another of his future allies, Kate Brewster (Claire Danes). But at the last moment a familiar-looking Terminator (Arnold) shows up and saves the day--or at least the moment. "She'll be back" the Terminator growls, and the chase begins.

The rest of the film is reminiscent of "T2" as Connor & Company run away from the determined Terminatrix. But that's okay. Yes, it's all action, but its pretty good action. Arnold inserts a even helping of his usual humor throughout, ("talk to the hand") and Loken seems to have studied Robert Patrick closely for her interpretation of the Terminatrix. Nick Stahl is less successful pinch hitting for Furlong. He just seems to be a little too pretty boy shallow for the part. There's little evidence of Sarah Connor's (Linda Hamilton)  toughness in him. He's the weakest part of this production.

There's a couple of nice cameos in "T3" including Dr. Silberman (Earl Boen) who's been in all three of the films and Sarah Connor herself (see photo)
Instead of punting and just turning this into a quick money action flick, the script has several surprises and good ideas that I thought worked rather well. And yes, it does set up "T-4", interestingly with or without Arnold's participation.  Yes, that might start putting "Terminator" into "Conquest of the Planet of the Apes" territory, but it is possible.
So is it as good as the original "Terminator"? Of course not. Is it as good as "T-2". No. But it is enjoyable in its own right. Bottom line is I enjoyed "T3" very much (I actually also liked the short "Terminator 3-D shown at Universal Studios) and its good to see Arnold  back in form after a number of cinematic disappointments ("Collateral Damage", "The 6th Day", "End of Days" etc. etc.).