As a movie enthusiast with a soft spot for sci-fi classics and a heart that beats for Japanese animation, I must say that Terminator Zero has left me utterly spellbound! Growing up in the era of VHS tapes and laserdiscs, I vividly remember the impact James Cameron’s original Terminator made on me and my peers. The thought of an anime series set in the same universe, delving deeper into the lore, was a dream I never knew I had – until now!
The initial anime production in the Terminator series, known as “Terminator Zero,” created by Mattson Tomlin, has garnered tremendous praise from both audiences and critics, placing it on par with James Cameron’s original film as the highest-rated Terminator installment. By expanding the franchise globally, “Terminator Zero” is set in Japan and moves between 1997 (the eve of Judgment Day) and 2022, a time when humanity has been severely diminished by Skynet. When Netflix announced their anime series, fans felt a mix of apprehension and excitement, given the franchise’s recent decline. However, “Terminator Zero” might just be the fresh start that the franchise has been yearning for quite some time.
To date, Terminator Zero has been almost universally praised by critics, boasting a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Interestingly, there seems to be a consensus among them, as opposed to the growing gap between critics and viewers in recent times. The series is currently enjoying an impressive 88% approval from its audience too. However, this could shift as Terminator Zero was only launched on August 29, so there’s still room for more opinions to be shared.
The film titled “Terminator Zero” shares an identical flawless critics’ rating with James Cameron’s initial movie that launched the franchise, “The Terminator.” Audience ratings are almost equally matched, but “The Terminator” slightly outranks its score at 89%. Despite being a timeless sci-fi gem, the series’ best-loved film often recognized is “Terminator 2: Judgment Day.” However, it appears that the collective opinion of critics differs, as “Terminator 2” boasts a rating of 91%. Keep in mind, as always, all these ratings should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Terminator Zero’s Story Is Uniquely Japanese
In the narrative of “Terminator Zero,” we shift between the ominous date of Judgment Day (August 29, 1997) and a post-apocalyptic 2022. This thrilling tale revolves around Malcolm Lee, a brilliant scientist working on an advanced AI system that could match Skynet’s capabilities. With the malevolent technology dispatching a T-800 Terminator from the future to eliminate Lee, the remnants of the resistance dispatch their own fighter, Eiko, to shield Malcolm Lee and safeguard the upcoming timeline.
In contrast to other anime, this new series delves into the age-old tale of man versus machine, but from a distinctly Japanese angle on technology and the apocalyptic event known as Judgment Day. Notably, the director Masashi Kudō (of Bleach fame) brings us Terminator Zero, the first installment in the franchise to visually portray Judgment Day – a concept hinted at briefly in the dream sequence of Terminator 2. To add a unique touch, the creators have chosen to incorporate Japan’s historical experience with nuclear weapons from World War II into their depiction of Judgment Day. As quoted by the director:
Speaking of nuclear war, its impact is deeply felt in Japan, making it an ever-present concern. It’s a topic that resonates strongly here. A visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, also known as the Atomic Bomb Museum, leaves an indelible impression. I remember my first visit vividly, even though I was quite young at the time. This experience inspired me to convey the terrifying and devastating effects of a nuclear weapon on humanity, and I aimed to portray that in my visuals.
In addition to stunning animation by Production I.G, as seen in Ghost in the Shell, Terminator Zero boasts an impressive ensemble of voice actors. The English version includes Timothy Olyphant voicing the T-800, Rosario Dawson portraying Kokoro, André Holland as Malcolm, Ann Dowd as The Prophet, and Sonoya Mizuno as Eiko.
All 8 episodes of
Terminator Zero
are streaming on Netflix.
Watch Our Interview with the Terminator Zero Director Below:
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2024-08-30 21:31