Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines Directed by Jonathan Mostow. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Claire Danes, Nick Stahl, Kristanna Loken and David Andrews. Dur. 108 mins Cert. UK:12A

Arnie's Terminator visage has become one of the most enduring images of cinema history. In 1991 Cameron returned with more money, a lot more money, with T2. Terminator Two's budget went on special effects, but it's widely regarded as one of the very few examples of a sequel that is better than its predecessor.

Four years later, for reasons unknown to me, the company that owned the Terminator films went belly up. But the two producers, who ran the company, managed to collect the rights again and set about trying to get T3 up and running.

It started with a three-pronged campaign. First they commissioned a script. Next they tried to get James Cameron on board. Unfortunately, he wasn't interested. The third job was to get Arnie, now without his best mate Cameron at the helm. Luckily, he was dead keen to get his leathers and sunglasses back on.

With Arnie along for the ride, they only had to get a director, Jonathan Mostow, a new script, and then raise the $170 million that the new T3 would cost. Easy. But what exactly does that kind of money buy you these days?

In Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines, John, Conner (Nick Stahl) has amazingly reached adulthood. Afraid that the events of his early life will repeat, he lives a reclusive life beyond the reach of any electronic tracking; without credits cards or bank accounts.

The machines, having failed to kill him twice before, send their most advanced machine to date, the T-X or Terminatrix, a robot babe, back from the future to not only kill John, but his future wife (Claire Danes) as well.

Once again, a Terminator is sent to protect John and his future wife. In a nutshell, John, with Arnie's help, has to save the human race from the killing machines. It's all impressive and the technology that makes it all possible is breath-taking.

The big merchandising addition to the Terminator world is the baddy, T-X, which is played by Kristianna Loken. She's a stunning and sexy killing machine.

Arnie's back in action, and it's certainly action where he should be. More specifically he's playing a robot. A creation that is unable to exhibit the normal range of human emotions, something, with his lack of ability as an actor, he is well qualified to do.

Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines, is well worth seeing. If you are thrilled by explosions and special effects. A huge number of film fans, I'm sure, will be glad that Arnie has returned to T3,

PICTURED: Arnold Schwarzenegger.