Zero Day

Zero Day is as good as you would expect it to be with a cast this good. Everything about this series is good from the writing to the cinematography but it's the acting that really sets it apart. It's loaded with talent like Robert De Niro, Jesse Plemons, Connie Britton, Lizzy Caplan, Dan Stevens, Joan Allen, Angela Bassett, Clark Gregg, etc. Everyone I just named is good enough to be a lead for a good show but for them all to come together for this makes this worth watching. This miniseries is only 6 episodes so it's an easy binge and you're going to want to binge it so make sure you give yourself enough time before you start it because you won't want to stop. It has plenty of mystery and twists to keep everyone entertained. I'll be shocked if this doesn't get nominated for some awards, especially De Niro. He was fantastic in this. I definitely recommend watching this.

I'm usually not into politics or political shows, but this one was truly refreshing. Perfect length, interesting to follow, and it has some great twists.

De Niro! I just figured this man is 81, but oh man - he delivered! Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant actor!

I also liked Jesse Plemons (Roger) a lot in this one.

Overall, 9/10, but super close to being 10/10 for me.

The series starts well but loses its pace soon after in the name of investigation. The audience keeps wondering when the actual investigation would take place, as it focuses on everything from personal demons to surrounding pressures except the core investigation. It takes until Episode 5 (out of 6 episodes) for the series to truly get going, and the last two episodes are undoubtedly the best of this series.

Robert De Niro excels, and I think there's no doubt about his acting prowess. However, I feel a powerful actor like Angela Bassett was underutilized, and somehow her performance isn't up to the mark, possibly due to a sub-par script and weak dialogues.

Overall, it's a slow, uneventful series that has a very interesting and engaging plot on paper, but the makers fail to capitalize on it. It only truly excels because of the powerful acting and the strength of its final two episodes.

There should be more De Niro on TV.

An impressive emblem of the times wrapped in gleaming celluloid, "Zero Day" is the present in ace cinema presentation. Robert De Niro is George Mullen, a former president of the United States who left office for personal reasons riddled with murky gossip and rumors. Convinced out of retirement to head a group in combatting a mysterious and sinister body of hackers who launched a cyber attack that terrified a nation and claimed fatalities in the thousands, Mullen and his crew are in a race against time to outsmart and capture the criminals before the techy goons nail another devastating strike. The intense discussions, heated arguments, compelling brainstorms and intriguing mysteries all build up to an escalating tension that spirals the series to a full and satisfying finish. De Niro is the star and main focus with his endless poker face grimace as he battles naysayers, cyber attacks, colleagues and his own family in his quest to save his country. Joan Allen is the smart and kindly stoic wife who is a quiet bastion to her husband's late life ordeal. Lizzy Caplan's annoying and confused portrayal as the attractive daughter who serves as counterpoint to her father's composed and self-assured decisiveness serves as the irritating factor in this game of politics where she is way over her head. Angela Bassett is the pc quota as the stately and composed president while Matthew Modine is effective as the smug and ambitious antagonist.

With its direct depictions of technology, terrorism, conspiracy theories, fake news, ubiquitous talking heads and the cultural, social and racial divides that dominate contemporary American society, "Zero Day" may very well be the artistic representative of the era. Thrilling, riveting and relevant it's one of the standout television series and is a must see.

...and that's the long and short of it. No, it isn't a 10, and but it certainly isn't a 1/10.

There's nothing stand out about the plot, and no edge of the seat moments. As others have said, the confusion that de Niro's character suffers from is hammy, clumsy, overdone and overly-repeated... and it adds nothing to the plot. It's just an annoyance to watch.

Plemmons is ok - not one of his better roles but his portrayal is fine. As is De Niro, just fine in his role but nothing special - sometimes even a little one dimensional (though the script may be to blame for that).

Angela Bassett is woeful though, unbelievable as a sitting president. Again that may be down to the script - her character trying to push urgency with no real necessity behind it. "I'm holding a press conference in 2 days so you need results by then" is the same line used in 70's police series/ films, where the Captain shouts "You've got 48 hours or it's your badge".

It was watchable, but I managed to follow the whole thing while working at home.

Just a bit average really.