Pointless in every way other than a financial one

Rating: Null/10 (9 August 2003)

STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All Costs
T3 is a belated prequel to the 1991 sequel,also starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.Returning to the role that set him on the road to international superstardom,Arnie here reprises his role as the machovelian Terminator.It's hard to say whether or not the first two films director,James Cameron,had it in mind to make this third instalment,or whether this is yet another idea for a movie thought up by unimaginative Hollywood execs unable to come up with original ideas and so just resorting to resurrecting long dormant franchises (although the first sequel did come seven years after the original).But all the same,he isn't and in his place,we have Breakdown helmer Johnathon Mostow.Whether or not this is because Cameron was dissatisfied with the outcome of the script is unknown,but Mostow is a competent enough director as his past efforts have shown.One thing his film is lacking,though, that was dominating Cameron's first two and pretty much made them indistinguishable,is the dark feel that set the scene,in it's place a more lively,jolty feel that will either make or break the film for you.Although,the film's plot just seems like a rehash of the last one with a few things thrown in for window dressing.It's also got to contend with underwhelming set pieces,lifeless humour and rather unappealing dialogue.There are some clever ideas here and there (which are never explored to their full potential though) and there is the gorgeous Kristanna Lokken to add eye candy to the proceedings (she can come and terminate me any day).But overall it has to be described as a rather pointless experience that's box office performance will probably warrant a follow up but which certainly doesn't get your appetite wetted for it's arrival.**