Resistance fighters & their savior vs the machines AGAIN. Ripoff of Matrix 'Architect Reveals All' scene.
No time travel, and T1 robots are fragile compared to later robots. Poor hybrid Marcus can't be trusted by either side. Both sides incur losses but will stumble on to the next sequel. Same as Matrix #2: filler material doesn't affect the overall storyline.
SPOILER COMPLAINTS: 1) WHY DIDN' T JOHN USE THE SHUTDOWN SIGNAL INSIDE SKYNET? Signal is on an old static-y SHORTWAVE frequency? Come on. 2) Robots rolling off the assembly line didn't activate in the climax battle. The one Matrix scene (Neo vs hundreds of Smiths) they unwisely chose not to copy. Instead, there's just one Terminator and the Governator, good while he lasts.