In football terms, the first two "Terminator" movies, written and directed by James Cameron, were akin to a brilliant, wide-open offense, mixing a strong ground game with a flamboyant aerial attack and bewildering trick plays. Rise of the Machines, directed by Jonathan Mostow, resembles offenses at many Midwestern schools, where coaches grind it out three yards at a time, resolutely but mechanically pulverizing the opposition as the team lumbers toward the goal line. Where "The Terminator" and "T2" wowed audiences with exciting action and knock-out effects -- remember when you first saw "liquid metal"? -- this new edition relies on wanton mayhem and a blitz of visual effects.

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