When we think about iconic sci-fi villains, does any duo come to mind more strikingly than Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800 and Robert Patrick’s T-1000? These two robotic behemoths encapsulate the essence of human ingenuity and fear of the unknown, wrapped up in a metal exterior.
On one hand, we have the T-1000, a liquid metal prototype, capable of mimicking any human form with chilling precision. Patrick’s portrayal brings a new dimension of terror that makes our spines tingle. On the other side, Schwarzenegger’s T-800, once the villain of the first film, flips the script by becoming a protector, embodying the ability to change and be redeemed.
But when it comes to iconic cyborgs, Schwarzenegger’s classic model still steals the show, proving that some legends are simply in a league of their own. Mattson Tomlin’s Terminator Zero hits the nail on the head, proving once and for all that the T-800 reigns supreme.
Mattson Tomlin’s Terminator Zero: A Return to the Roots of Terror
The Terminator franchise has a fan base as loyal as a loyal dog, always eager for the next chapter in this sci-fi saga. When Netflix announced its Terminator Zero anime series in 2021, the pressure was on to live up to the high-octane legacy of the original James Cameron classic.
Fast forward to now, and the anime series has arrived, carrying the heavy mantle of meeting fan expectations and staying true to what made the franchise legendary.
Fortunately for fans, Terminator Zero is in capable hands. With Masashi Kudo at the directorial helm and Mattson Tomlin wielding the pen, the show has delivered a deep respect for the series’ roots.
Kudo, a long-time fan of the franchise, was thrilled to take on the project. As he put it (via Anitrendz) :
When I heard the title, I actually asked him, ‘Are you asking about that Terminator?!’ Obviously, I’m a huge fan of the franchise.
While Terminator Zero introduces some new changes to its setting, it does one crucial thing right: it returns to the original’s spine-chilling roots. Unlike its more action-oriented successors, this show aims to rekindle the eerie essence of the first film (The Terminator). Tomlin echoed this sentiment, stating:
When trying to figure out how to justify Terminator: Zero’s existence, the answer for me was, ‘Well, let’s go back to the horror roots because that’s something that we haven’t really seen for 40 years’.
It’s like putting the original seasonings back with a dish that had gone bland—the flavor’s back, and it’s delicious!
Terminator Zero: Schwarzenegger’s T-800 Steals the Spotlight from Robert Patrick’s T-1000
When it comes to the Terminator franchise, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800 is the king of the hill, leaving Robert Patrick’s T-1000 looking like yesterday’s news.
According to Mattson Tomlin, Schwarzenegger’s original model still holds the crown. In a recent chat with DiscussingFilm, Tomlin revealed that while Terminator 2: Judgment Day is often hailed as the pinnacle of the series, the 1984 original remains (The Terminator) his personal favorite. For Tomlin, the first film was a masterclass in primal horror, tapping into something that has since slipped through the cracks of the franchise’s evolution.
Tomlin’s passion for the original film shines through in Terminator Zero, where he decided to resurrect the T-800 design rather than opting for a flashier, more advanced model (T-1000). To quote him (via DiscussingFilm):
When Kyle Reese says ‘this thing can’t be reasoned with, it can’t be bargained with, it doesn’t feel pity or remorse and it will never f*cking stop… I found that to be so primal.’
And the result is a series that not only pays homage to its forebear but also reintroduces the kind of spine-tingling dread that made the original a classic.
The anime has struck a chord with critics, who have given it high marks for its gritty return to form. Rotten Tomatoes shows that 95% of critics’ reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.6/10. Sometimes going back to basics can yield impressive results!
Terminator Zero is currently streaming on Netflix.
