As a lifelong Terminator fan who’s seen more than my fair share of Skynet’s reign of terror, I must say that Netflix’s anime adaptation, Terminator Zero, has finally given me hope for this long-suffering franchise. Hollywood seems to have lost its way with these legacy sequels, but Terminator Zero manages to be a fresh take on an old classic.
Every enthusiast of the “Terminator” series likely has their own thoughts on revitalizing the struggling franchise. Some believe it should return to its horror origins. Others propose a fresh timeline to clear up previous complexities. A few even advocate for a third season of “The Sarah Connor Chronicles.” However, none of these approaches seem applicable to the latest addition, “Terminator Zero.” Rather than aligning with long-established elements, Netflix’s anime adaptation largely departs from aspects that have grown tired over the past three decades.
Currently, Hollywood is captivated by legacy sequels. Instead of just re-creating projects that they think can still generate revenue, they now bring back original cast members and create a continuation after many years have passed. This approach offers two advantages: it delivers a fresh narrative and uses the maturing actors to boost ticket sales. This tactic has proven incredibly lucrative in recent times, but some franchises are innovating to keep things engaging.
Why has the Terminator franchise been struggling?
Apart from “The Sarah Connor Chronicles,” every Terminator project since “T2” has encountered significant problems. “Terminator 3,” “Salvation,” “Genisys,” and “Dark Fate” each have their strong points, but they repeatedly fail to grasp the essence of what made this franchise successful. Regrettably, the last two installments seem to be the main culprits. While “Terminator 3” and “Salvation” introduced some fresh concepts, “Genisys” and “Dark Fate” frequently abandon their original ideas in favor of heavily borrowing elements, characters, and even scenes from the initial films.
In many cases, classic sequels often struggle with this issue, but the Terminator series stands out as one of the most problematic examples. The use of time travel and the poor reception to Terminator 3 led to a cautious studio approach, keeping old content relevant for as long as possible. Moving forward, experimentation is key. Dark Fate attempted some new ideas, but it still leaned heavily on familiar elements. Bringing back Linda Hamilton seemed like a good concept initially, but in practice, it joins other similar callbacks. Innovation is valuable in the Terminator franchise now more than ever. Fortunately, the long-anticipated Netflix anime series of Terminator finally lived up to its potential.
Why does Terminator Zero work?
| Showrunner | Mattson Tomlin |
|---|---|
| Director | Masashi Kudo |
| Writer | Mattson Tomlin |
| Stars | André Holland, Sonoya Mizuno, Sumalee Montano, Timothy Olyphant, Rosario Dawson |
| Release Date | August 29, 2024 |
| Streaming On | Netflix |
Terminator Zero isn’t flawless, but it’s an enjoyable, swiftly moving, and creative anime series that creatively explores the core themes of the Terminator saga in fresh and intriguing ways. The series benefits from lowered expectations. Viewers may have varying opinions about Zero; however, they won’t be left with the same eerie emptiness that characterized their experience with Genisys or Dark Fate. Despite its shortcomings, it offers a captivating new direction for a franchise that has seemed stagnant since the Bush administration. The story revolves around a scientist plagued by prophetic dreams of doomed Judgment Day, who tries to prevent it from happening. A robot assassin and a relentless soldier arrive from the future, both headed towards his location. As in previous installments, ordinary people grapple with problems that should be decades away. Skynet attempts to alter the past while humans strive to secure the future. The series distinguishes itself by playing a new tune with a familiar rhythm. In essence, this is what a sequel, spin-off, or fresh addition to an established franchise ought to evoke.
How can Terminator learn from Terminator Zero?
Terminator Zero adds its own perspective to the concepts initially presented in the original Terminator movies. It offers a fresh take on familiar territory, which was crucial for its success. To maintain this momentum, it’s essential to continue exploring the material with new and creative minds. The IP of Terminator Zero ventures into a new medium, which could be an exciting way to keep the storyline engaging. However, there are many unexplored directions that the Terminator series can venture into as well.
One of the big problems is that every live-action Terminator costs a comical amount of money to make. This forces the studio to make the safest possible choices to ensure a return on investment. Making an anime is no easy task, but it allows the franchise to play with new concepts and deliver a new product. Ultimately, everyone knows that the only way to keep a franchise going beyond its glory days is to keep making good art. People will tolerate any number after a movie title if the resulting film is good. Terminator can live long enough to blow past its dark future again and again if they just keep bringing in interesting creators and making projects like Terminator Zero.
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2024-09-14 02:04