Why, why, why?

Rating: 6/10 (31 July 2003)

I am writing this review fresh from visiting my local multiplex, viewing the latest installment of the Terminator series "T3: Rise of the Machines". I am a huge fan of the first two films directed by James Cameron and can only feel sympathy for Jonothan Mostow in trying to fill those boots. But then I just ask why did he bother? Cameron wrapped the whole story up very well in the sad conclusion of T2, and I can see why he baulked at the opportunity of helming a second sequel. I can see it even more when he read the script for T3. You can only imagine the meeting. 'Hi Mr. Cameron we would like to look at our script for T3'. 'A script for T3. But that was my idea. I thought up the whole thing. Why are you making a sequel to something I ended so brilliantly the first time around?'. 'Yes Mr. Cameron, but there's going to be lots of special effects...and a big car chase...and, er'. This was the biggest problem, although The Terminator and T2 by genre are a horror and a action film respectively, Cameron did convey a convincing moral message about the future of humanity, in his storyline through the relationships of his central characters to one another. This was shown through Reece's love for Sarah Conner (which even transends time) and the most human trait of all being a mother's love for her son, between Sarah and her son John. Apposed to these very human relationships is the cold, destructive, emotionless machine, the Terminator. Unfortunatly these elements had been threwn out in the script for this film, and therefore nothing for the viewer to attach themselves too. As for the cast Arnie was dependably wooden as ever for the role of the T-101 (how he kept a straight face for some of the one liners IS amazing). I haven't seen much of Nick Stahl (played John Conner)before but he seemed wrong for the role (didn't seem to have the street smarts Ed Furlong had in T2) and Care Danes seemed to be confused as to what her role was supposed to be. The one saving grace of this film was Kristanna Loken as the T-X. She stole the film (don't the bad guys always do this?) and looked like she really relished the role, I thought she was a real jewel. Hats of again to ILM, who although not superceding anything the Matrix sequels have done (I'm assuming Matrix Revolutions will blow our socks off), they continue to impress. So overall, I thought T:3 was a bit of a waste of time, and Mr. Cameron will probably be sat smugly thinking 'I knew I was right all along!'