“The future has not been written. There is no fate but what we make for ourselves. I wish I could believe that. My name is John Connor, they tried to murder me before I was born, when I was 13 they tried again. Machines from the future. Terminators. All my life my mother told me the storm was coming, Judgment Day, the beginning of the war between man and machines. Three billion lives vanished in an instant, and I would lead what was left of the human race to ultimate victory. It hasn't happened, no bombs fell, computers didn't take control, we stopped Judgment Day. I should feel safe, but I don't, so I live off the grid - no phone, no address, no one and nothing can find me. I've erased all connections to the past, but as hard as I try I can't erase my dreams, my nightmares…”

Its sequel “Terminator 2: Judgement Day”, deepens the story and blows the world away with its ahead of its time CGI rendering (hats off to Industrial Light & Magic). A third was always considered and was always a case of when not if. Despite many scares that it would be a project trapped in Hollywood limbo forever after creator James Cameron wanted nothing to do with it and star Linda Hamilton bailing out because – allegedly she couldn’t be bothered to get into such painful shape like she did for number two. Though, I don’t see her doing anything else better with her time at the moment. Anywho, with Cameron gone, it seemed that nothing was going to happen and the project would be cast aside, just like James Cameron’s “True Lies 2” after what happened on 9/11 but as long as producers Mario Kassar and Andrew G Vajna had the rights to the franchise as it were, they weren’t going to let a potential cash cow down, no siree. Replacing Cameron with “U-571” helmer Jonathon Mostow and replacing previous John Connor, Edward Furlong with “In The Bedroom’s” Nick Sthal (two many nights out busy bingeing booze and lines of white powdered substance put a stop to that apparently) and the film was ready to go. Arnold Schwarzenegger would of course return and some slight of hand (re write) of the script would intercept Linda ‘Sarah Connor’ Hamilton’s absence from the project.

He tracks down John Conner to protect him from the vicious T-X and also helps out caught in the crossfire, vet, Kate Brewster (Claire Danes) who is weaved into the storyline more than first anticipated as it turns out she has a part in the future war. Also, her father Robert Brewster (David Andrews) is the army general behind the creation of a new supercomputer that will revolutionise the defence of the military. As the Terminator races against time to lead John Conner and Kate Brewster to safety away from the highly upgraded, T-X there is also the worry of a mysterious computer virus that could impact the world stronger than anyone could imagine. The “Rise Of The Machines” subtitle may hint to exactly what that may be…

Nick Stahl (“In The Bedroom”) has some very large shoes to fill as future world leader John Conner. With previous John Conner Edward Furlong (“American History X”) out of the picture after one night on the tiles too many and many encounters of white powdered lines rendering him un-castable. Stahl however seems right as Conner taking on the personality of Furlong’s childhood Conner without feeling too awkward about it: and believe me that sort of thing shows up on film like a sore thumb. Stahl provides a worthy and charged performance that is enjoyable to watch, handling each new situation well. Clare Danes (“Romeo + Juliet”, “Brokedown Palace”) also fits in well, proving that she can do the action heroine thing and is a suitable substitute for the reluctant Linda Hamilton. Although not as single minded as John Conner’s estranged mother, Sarah Conner, (the first target in the first film) Danes can still whoop cyborg a$$ when the occasion rises.

Brewster: What?
Conner: Nothing… you remind me of my mother…

After reading the brief synopsis of the film before the inevitable cinema viewing: I did fear that this was going to be a modernised rehash of the second Terminator film but fortunately it’s “Terminator 3’s” multiple screenwriters that saves it from being standard Hollywood cash cow material. With the lack of creator James Cameron’s script and talent in the director’s chair, it fills even the most hardened fans with doubt whether or not the film will be successful. I am a “Terminator” fan (sigh) and I for one think that the previous two films where a pair of Arnie’s best, so it’d come as no surprise if I told you that I had doubt about the film to begin with. No Linda Hamilton, no Edward Furlong, no James Cameron: the very man needed to make a third. The lack of James Cameron is the reason why you’d want the film to fail whilst another part wants the film to succeed because you’re a Terminator fan. On paper the film seems atrocious, everything seems to be against it: no Cameron and a multiplex friendly certificate. How can you take a four year to watch “T3” when they are a) not old enough to register and appreciate it fully and b) legally aren’t allowed to watch it’s predecessors? The answer is the Hollywood money-making machine that cuts films to make them more family friendly and therefore make potentially more money (the main disadvantage of the 12A certificate).

Special Effects guru Stan Winston returns to create, again, some awesome visuals and prosthetics. “Terminator 3” is a rare summer blockbuster that isn’t overwhelmed by it’s effects. It is surprisingly very story driven that provides some interesting twists and turns and an ending/revelation that I found to be very brave indeed for Hollywood mainstream. I won’t go into details over it but let’s just say that it’s totally unexpected and not tidily wrapped up like most modern films with large budgets. So will there be a “Terminator 4”? Who knows? But if they do, Schwazenegger not featuring is more or less guaranteed now that his political career is up and running…

CERTIFICATE: 12
TIME APPROX: 109 minutes