The Machine Stops.

Rating: 5/10 (3 July 2008)

It's such a pity that Hollywood seems almost incapable of realising when a franchise has run its course. So, they go on. And on.
Two terminators were quite enough. The first was a creepy, almost B-movie horror flick - simple, but eminently well presented. 'Judgement Day' on the other hand, was a truly epic work of science fantasy. Between the two they used up all of the ideas associated with the concept. There was nothing else to play for. So why then not finish on a high note?
Because there's still money in it; that's why. Like prospectors mining gold, they just can't accept that the vein has run out.
OK, what else can we do that's new? I know; how about a female terminator? We can always build a story round that. Yes. Actually, the T1000 of 'Judgement Day' was itself capable of completely mimicking any human females it killed, so what was the point of a dedicated design? I won't go on. Objective critics have seen all of the movie's shortcomings. Only nerds sat back and gaped in awe at this one.
Yes; the new effects were excellent. The tanks that had a hint of 'Robocop' about them were highly believable hokum, as were the flying machines. But we'd seen them all before, just fewer in number. The acting was plausible but hardly set the screen on fire. Arnie actually looked bored in this outing, which is something of an acting revelation for him. And the script was - well - cheesy.
Judgement Day it transpires was, after all, unavoidable. It took an extra two hours of repetitive, rehashed celluloid mayhem of slaughter, truck-chases, and shattering glass to tell us that?
I don't think so.
Watching inadequate sequels to favourite movies is rather like seeing old friends dying from some wasting illness.