“It will hit audiences like a f**king two-by-four”: Terminator Zero’s Secret Connection to the Original Film Makes It an Emotional Rollercoaster
- Netflix reboots 'Terminator' in anime series, 'Terminator Zero.'
- Many sequels tried to recapture the greatness but struggle to find new life.
- The series revisits the original 'Terminator' concept.
James Cameron’s first Terminator movie in 1984 was a big surprise. It was a sci-fi film made with a small budget, which wasn’t expected to be a hit, but soon it became a cultural phenomenon.
In the movie, a soldier named Kyle Reese travels back in time to protect Sarah Connor, who is destined to be the mother of a future leader. Arnold Schwarzenegger (playing a relentless killer robot in the film) is also sent from the future to hunt her down. The film’s success was due in part to its suspense and sense of dread.
The other Terminator movies haven’t quite matched the brilliance of the first two since Terminator 2: Judgment Day, released in 1991. Lots of sequels have tried to go back to what made those first movies great but they have struggled to find new life. However, there is still hope for fans. Now, Netflix is doing something new with an anime series called Terminator Zero.
Terminator Zero is Familiar Thrills in an All-New Story
Terminator Zero returns to the original concept of the Terminator: not a muscular Austrian, but a subtle, ordinary-looking infiltrator. It won’t simply be a retread of the original film.
In this series, the story shifts away from Sarah or John Connor, the main heroes of past Terminator movies. It will feature all-new characters and a new story. However, showrunner Mattson Tomlin is looking to recapture the feeling of the original film.
He didn’t want to copy it exactly but bring back the spooky feelings it evoked. Tomlin is also aiming to recreate the sense of mystery that surrounded Kyle Reese, a character from the original film. In that story, the audience didn’t know if Reese was a hero or a villain. So, he wants to keep viewers guessing about who the real heroes are.
A Japanese Twist in the Terminator Zero
Terminator Zero‘s story follows a scientist in 1997 who creates a good AI to fight the evil Skynet. Of course, things go wrong, and a killer robot from the future comes after the scientist.
But, a tough protector named Eiko (sent back in time from a future human resistance) is there to help. The character has some mysterious motives, but we’ll find out what they are later. The writer behind the series said in an interview with Empire:
The model for Eiko was Kyle Reese. Her motives are grey at first. But she’s hiding something meaningful, and when it’s revealed, it will hit audiences like a f*****g two-by-four.
There’s also a funny detail – Eiko can’t just steal a gun in Japan, unlike America! Apparently, getting a gun in Japan is a long and complicated process.
Terminator Zero will premiere on Netflix on August 29!
