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"Terminator" Gets Ready for Political Shift (Michael Medved, Crosswalk)

It’s impossible to watch Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines without thinking about Arnold Schwarzenegger’s potential race for California governor. Many of the laugh lines he delivers in his signature killer-robot style could play a role in his upcoming campaign, as he emphasizes the faithful nature of his public service (“I’m programmed to follow your commands”), encourages righteous indignation against the Democratic incumbent (“Anger is more useful than despair”), justifies his own jokes as an aspiring politician (“Levity is good--it relieves tension and fear of death”) and even proclaims victory over his most entrenched and formidable opponent (“You’re terminated”).

Unfortunately, Mr. Schwarzenegger's greatest line isn't useful politically and is in one of his worst movies. Playing a cop in Raw Deal, he comes home late for his own birthday dinner and his inebriated wife (the terribly under-utilized Kathryn Harold, who is married to another CA politico, Lawrence O'Donnell) whips the cake at him, to which he responds: "You shouldn't drink and bake." At the time, MADD ran drunk-driving PSA's at the rate of roughly four an hour. Posted by Orrin Judd at July 11, 2003 2:31 PM