After the success of CARNOSAUR 2 (a sequel that was far superior to the low-budget original), I guess this was pretty inevitable. You know good ol' Roger Corman -- never could leave well enough alone. In fact, these days it seems like Corman won't touch something unless it's a sequel to or a remake of an earlier flick from his cannon (the trailers on this tape included an effects-filled remake of RC's own 1959 THE WASP WOMAN).

CARNOSAUR 2 had all the elements spot on...government conspiracy, grizzled commandos, a powerhgouse B cast, and enough gore and grue to keep hardened schlockhounds happy. C3 valiantly tries to repeat that formula, but like my jump shot it often falls short and clangs noisily off the rim.

At least the beginning keeps ya guessing. When a government convoy is ambushed and has their transport stolen, another team of crack anti-terrorists are called in to resolve the situation. Unfortunately, instead of C2's Don Stroud and John Savage we're saddled with Scott Valentine (less than believable as the battle-hardened colonel...to me he's still Nick on "Family Ties"). Thank god director Jonathan Winfrey had the sense to bring back Rick Dean (CARNOSAUR 2, NAKED OBSESSION, THE UNBORN) as a gung-ho, though a bit slow-witted, special forces operative. He frequently saves C3 from Valentine's hopelessly macho, armed forces Lee Ermy, Jr. imitation.

Once the fake Euro-trash-hikjacker-nuke-terrorist beginning kicks the "plot" into high gear, it's just another take on the claustrophobic cat-and-mouse game that's been done to death since ALIEN. And this time, it isn't done very well. Fault a "seen it all before" storyline, a thoroughly unbelievable lead (Scott Valentine?!), and monsters that seem far more rubbery than last time.