Arnold Schwarzenegger is back in this enjoyable, if flawed, reboot of the first Terminator film. 3/5 stars
Of course, it can't possibly touch James Cameron's original cult classic's greatness, but it's still very inventive.
The rather baffling plot has resistance leader John Connor (Jason Clarke) sending pal Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney) from the future to 1984 LA to prevent a cyborg assassin from killing his mum, Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke).
However, she is no longer a distressed damsel in need of rescue, but a ballsy kick-ass heroine who already knows about the threat from artificial intelligence Skynet and has spent her young life readying herself to meet it with the help of Schwarzenegger's benign Terminator, who goes by the cuddly nickname 'Pops' and is Sarah's protector.
Meanwhile, the big threat facing humanity is an all-embracing operating system, destined to be launched in 2017 (and personified by former Doctor Who Matt Smith).
Given all the head-spinning goings-on, we really do need the light relief provided by Schwarzenegger's string of self-mocking quips ('I lack the mimetic skills to appear as anyone else,' and 'I'm old not obsolete' are typical lines). Emilia Clarke also fares well, though Jason Clarke and Courtney's characters are particularly glum.
Still, keep your wits about you and it's not bad at all once Sarah and Arnie leap into action to save the day.
