With a reported budget of $172 million, "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" starts in high gear and never slows down. The apocalyptic "Judgment Day" of "T2" was never prevented, only postponed: John Connor (Nick Stahl, replacing "T2"'s Edward Furlong), now 22 and disconnected from society, is being pursued yet again, this time by the advanced T-X, a sleek "Terminatrix" (coldly expressionless Kristanna Loken) programmed to stop Connor from becoming the savior of humankind. Originally programmed as an assassin, a disadvantaged T-101 cyborg (Arnold Schwarzenegger, bidding fond farewell to his signature role) arrives from the future to join Connor and his old acquaintance Kate (Claire Danes) in thwarting the T-X's relentless pursuit. The plot presents a logical fulfillment of "T2" prophesy, disposing of Connor's mother (Linda Hamilton is sorely missed) while computer-driven machines assume control, launching a nuclear nightmare that Connor must survive. With "Breakdown" and "U-571" serving as worthy rehearsals for this cautionary epic of mass destruction, director Jonathan Mostow wisely avoids any stylistic connection to James Cameron's "Terminator" classics; instead he's crafted a fun, exciting popcorn thriller, humorous and yet still effectively nihilistic, and comparable to "Jurassic Park III" in returning the "Terminator" franchise to its potent B-movie roots. "--Jeff Shannon"