Terminator

Yes, anime is not for everyone but this series is palatable even for non-anime watchers. The plot runs alongside the OG Terminator timeline and jumps back & forth between 1997 and 2022. There are no shortage of plot twists and unexpected turns which keeps it interesting but don't get it twisted; despite being animated, this is not the stereotypical cutesy cartoony playful Sailor Moon Hello Kitty style that anime is often is known for.

The visuals get very dark and graphic (considering the franchise) so consider yourself warned. But I guarantee it's definitely refreshing in terms of suspense and new plot content for the Terminator franchise. Binge it!

The problem for the real, die hard, fans of Terminator is that no instalment has ever made us feel the emotion that both T1 and T2 gave us. Every film since, even with Arnold involved, has lacked something. It's almost like the writers/directors never understood what made those films so popular and important in the first place. They cheapened the films with silly comedic moments, they removed human connection, they stopped exploring SkyNet and the future wars. They turned John Conner into a robot!! (Awful).

This latest instalment is set at the same time as T2 and is a refreshing take on the development of the technologies, it explores the flaws of humanity, it keeps the horror element that was so well done in T1 whilst exploring the connections that was perfectly done in T2.

Will we ever get back to the heights of T2? No, we won't, Arnold was too pivotal in those films and Hollywood wasted his involvement in further films with weak scripts. However, this show, albeit animated will give you something, it will stir those dying embers of a loved story, even if just for a moment.

Terminator Zero takes the franchise in a bold new direction, breaking away from the live-action roots with a distinct anime style. While it doesn't match the historical impact of Terminator 1 and 2, this adaptation offers a visually striking and violent new approach. The opening scenes grab attention immediately, setting a tone that feels both fresh and familiar to fans of the original films.

The Japanese-inspired animation combined with an exceptional soundtrack creates a gripping atmosphere, though the switch to anime may take some getting used to for those expecting the dark, gritty realism of past entries. Still, this experiment manages to breathe new life into the Terminator saga, offering something exciting and intense without betraying the franchise's core spirit. It's not a return to form, but a daring new chapter.

I have been buzzing for this for 6 months, and I hoped it wouldn't be another case of having my hopes dashed. It wasn't. This was really really good. I watched it in one go, 4 hour binge, and at points I did wonder if I could watch it serialised. But that maybe says more about binge culture than it does the show. There were some good twists and turns, a tense atmosphere and well developed characters. Loved this, I want more already. There was more existential naval gazing than I'd usually put up with, butI enjoyed this more than I usually would. I enjoyed the Japanese setting, and the artwork felt rich to me.

There's some heavy plot armor for the main female antagonist at times, but ultimately a badass ride. It feels more like a horror story in certain moments, and the other AI storyline is cool. The main Terminator is badass. The animation and storytelling is stellar. A fresh take on the Terminator franchise, and it doesn't disappoint. This one really makes you think about artificial intelligence and it's possibilities for the future. The fact it could be our end or our savior one day has always intrigued me. I definitely hope Mattson Tomlin does another season. It's one of the coolest shows to come out this year, in my opinion.