User reviews

Okay folks,

I get it that for most of you high and mighty reviewers Terra Nova seems to be dumb. but I honestly do not feel this way.

People complaining about some holes and everything is just ridiculous with a series that is sending people 80million years in the past. come on people, give them a chance. (if anyone is going to mention the asteroid again I'm going to scream ... 16 million years until impact you geniuses out there. that's enough for a thousand civilizations to rise and fall so stop whining and use your oh soo awesome brains)

so let me tell you that yes, the first 4 episodes a rather drama heavy with long character plots to get to know them. and yes, the CGI is not the best on the market. but that did not keep me from Doctor Who or LEX and it's sure as hell not going to keep me from anything else.

I really love the direction of the later episodes when the meta plot gets going and we get a broader picture of what is wrong with Terra Nova, Commander Taylor and the Sixers.

The acting still ranges between average and sometimes very good. episode 9 had a nice Stephen Lang moment.

give the show a try, maybe jump in the later episodes and forget about the CGI.

suspend the disbelief and just enjoy it. it's better than most of the other crap out there, and you can watch it with the whole family.

and dammit, it has Dinosaurs!

It still saddens me to this day that this show was never picked up for a second season. While it's far from perfect, it had a genuinely interesting concept and some fun ideas, though the execution could have used some work. I would have loved to see them potentially work some of the issues out with a second season, but unfortunately it seems we'll probably never get one.

Loved the series, I just wished they gave it another season or two :(

An old show by today's standards, but just finished it and it was great! Check it out on Netflix, if you haven't already.

I am rating this a 10/10, just to help make up for some lower rankings left by others. It's really between 8.5 and 9.5. It's hard to rate a series off of 13 episodes. It's a shame this show didn't get renewed for a 2nd season. I think 26 episodes would have been sufficient in telling a better story.

It has action, drama and dinosaurs. Very futuristic, yet takes place in a prehistoric wilderness, which makes it unique. The characters are good, mainly centering around the lead character's family and Commander Taylor, who is in charge of Terra Nova. The personalities and dramas that stem from these characters aren't wildly ambitious but do a good job with mixing in the environment and creating conflict with all the dangerous elements: dinosaurs, diseases, and the Sixers (human antagonists).

I read a review on here complaining about all the plot holes. One major plot hole complaint was "why aren't the future people putting on sunscreen when they get here?" Seriously? That's your big plot hole. First of all: maybe they are and it's just such a boring addition that it's not even necessary. That would be a waste of time. Who wants to watch that? Secondly, it may be an oversight but so what? It's science fiction. Suspend your disbelief a little bit. Obviously cracks in time don't really exist, but if they did........well, that is the basis of the show. If you can't get over that and start nitpicking about sunscreen right off the bat, then maybe this show isn't for you and you should watch people crossing the street outside your window. Can't get any more real than that!

Last little fun fact: the pink ranger from the new Power Rangers is in this. Also, the new inhuman director of S.H.I.E.L.D. from Marvels Agents of SHIELD.

For some reason then it took me five years to get around to watching "Terra Nova", despite the fact that a friend told me good things about it when it was showing back in 2011. But I happened to come across it in a second hand DVD store, and decided to give it a chance.

I must say that I have been missing out on something quite entertaining. Sure, while the concept idea is not original, and might actually be a rip off at certain stages, it still proved to be quite entertaining.

What worked for me here, was a myriad of things. Let's start with the concept idea of time traveling back to the prehistoric time and starting a colony, which was the focal point of the movie. That worked out quite well, and made for a good foundation for the series. Although there were some blanks here and there in the background of it all. And the storyline in the series was also quite good, lots of interesting things happening here, and the writers were good at including multiple people and families in the events that took place in and around the Terra Nova colony. And finally, the characters in the series. There was clearly a lot of thought being put into the characters, as they had good details and often an elaborate background story to be told as well.

The effects in "Terra Nova" were good, well most of the time anyway. There were some moments when the dinosaurs looked quite fake and it was painstakingly clear that it was CGI. But for most parts it was working out nicely, and the dinosaurs were well animated and looked realistic enough.

However, the driving force of "Terra Nova" was the cast. They had managed to put together a great ensemble of cast for this series. Especially Stephen Lang, he was shining in this role.

Normally I am not overly keen on Sci-Fi as per se, but creators Kelly Marcel and Craig Silverstein managed to put together something quite entertaining here with "Terra Nova".

If you haven't already seen the series, I can warmly recommend that you take the time to watch all thirteen episodes, as it is quite entertaining. I am rating "Terra Nova" a solid score of seven out of ten stars.

After reading reviews on here I was adamant not to watch Terra Nova, but a friend at work persuaded me to do so.

I had no expectations for this program and assumed that I'd watch half the pilot and then turn it off. That wasn't the case, I watched 5 episodes yesterday (Counting the Pilot as 2 episodes) and the remaining 7 today (Counting the finale as 2 episodes)

Sure it wasn't the most captivating show that I've had the pleasure of watching, but it is in no doubt, worth a watch.

I would recommend you watch the pilot, then decide whether to continue viewing or not.

Having read a lot of the reviews here; I have to dis-agree with many of them.

This is a good, entertaining, visually appealing series.

Sure it is not scientifically perfect and sure there are some unexplained events documented very well here.

However, the storyline about going back in time, the challenges that provides, the fight of principles against mindless profiteering, the need to keep in touch with the future ('past'?) and the special effects are entertaining and ... that's what it's for mostly.

While a little on the predictable side; there are interesting twists and the storyline seems to be going in a good direction by the end of the first season.

Given this is clearly developed for prime time US TV and we all know the constraints that puts on a show; I enjoy it and am looking forward to the next season.

It's a good series! If you like «Lost» I think you'll like this genre, too.

The acting at time is not top notch. I think this is due to the script being somewhat cliches at times and slightly over the top.

But what mentioned above is not so serious it makes it a bad show. Not at all!

It's entertaining and thrilling. And I like that it doesn't beat around the bush too much. Action and new things happen quite quickly so you don't get bored waiting for things to happen.

The special effects are good enough, but you see it's not top budget though.

Terra Nova would definitely have deserved a second series. Would have been interesting to see how it developed.

But hey; enjoy the 13 episodes there is. You could do a lot worse!

The main problem with Terra Nova is that it had so much potential that was never realized. The show, which was quite an expensive production for network TV, needed to have amazing ratings to keep the episodes coming and sadly it never achieved those ratings and was cancelled very early on in its initial run.

The show had other problems and was never able to arrive at a great high quality level, but it showed such promise towards the end of its season. When the last episode finally ends you wish there will be a second season to answer all of the new mysteries that are revealed in the final minutes of the Resistance, but sadly there is no more Terra Nova to be had.

Overall, the performances were adequate with Stephan Lang's portrayal of Colonel Taylor probably being the best of the bunch. The stories could have had some better writing, but the plot, setting, and universe that they create is compelling and intriguing. The special effects are high quality for television and their sets are magnificent.

Had the show continued, I would have been there to see how it all unfolded for at least another season, but as it stands here, Terra Nova is relegated to dwelling in its mediocrity and could-have-beens.

What a pity that the writers to this show got it so wrong they put in too many stories they would have been better just having two or three things going on, I was hoping that season two was going to follow but as with a lot of US shows they work on the points and if low then no follow on. Could have been good after all if you went back that far in time you would be hoping to see a lot more of the out side then we did, finish with the old ship being seen now that could have open a new chapter finding people who were on the ship and were living in the pasted it don't take a lot to work out what we the public want. But as always its suits sitting in a office looking at paper work and fingers that make the show on or off, may be the time has come from someone to say you got to think as the viewing public do and would you want to get home to watch this show has it got things that keep you watching and want to watch.

So with the hyped advertising and the 'Spielberg' name attached to it, I thought after a long time we are going to see an awesome story with Dinosaurs! Now I would agree that the concept was good, actors did a pretty good job, of course I enjoyed the whole season although got a bit disappointed may be because I had high expectations.

However the pretty obvious mistake seems to be anyone would notice is 'where the hell are the Dinosaurs?!'. I mean i am not a kid but where the hell is T-Rex? and not to forget the annoying Velociraptors? I mean is it logical that 90% of the time 'Sixers' are 'Terra Novas' problem in a world full of Dinosaurs?

I do understand graphics are very expensive, complicated and time consuming to implement to a TV show but still I like to mention the show hasn't used much CG as expected and the ones used are very average in quality.

So in conclusion,I would say, I like this show and I would recommend, although if the producers want to go for a second season, I would expect more creativity and depth of the story plus more Dinosaurs to balance the action. I mean there is a whole 'world' to be creative isn't it?

This wasn't a bad show. It could be a little corny but it was just getting started with some interesting story lines with the badlands and it ends. I wish Netflix would pick it up and and give it a few more seasons. I like dinosaur adventure mystery shows to get lost in after work. This had a lot of potential and I think it got cancelled to soon.

I really didn't think this series was that bad.... I think the major problem was that it didn't seem to know what it wanted to be. A family-friendly dinosaur adventure? A darker, more adult series sort of like a prehistoric Lost/Jurassic Park mashup? It seemed to be headed in a more serious direction by the end of the season finale....and that was it, just when things were getting interesting. Before that, it was OK-relied a little too heavily on angsty teen plots and cute saucer-eyed kids, but still entertaining and well worth a watch. Give it a try, even if it's only one season.

And did I mention the soundtrack? One of the most gorgeous leitmotifs I've ever heard, a lavish, lush symphony of a quality usually heard in film-Brian Tyler is one of the first names that comes to mind when people ask, "Who's going to step into John Williams' shoes someday?" Well, Bear McCreary will step into one, and Brian Tyler the other-I couldn't believe such a tremendous soundtrack was written for a TV series. It's out on CD, and I highly recommend picking up a copy.

Seven stars for a good, entertaining effort, and for the fantastic soundtrack.

I have really enjoyed watching Terra Nova. While the notion of time travel is far-fetched any way you slice it, who hasn't wished he or she could go back in time and do or say something different? So the basic premise of the show--humans going back to prehistoric times to "start over"--is not all that unreasonable. If you can't accept that fantasy, perhaps this show is not for you.

If you can accept the fantasy, then sit back and enjoy Terra Nova. The special effects are great, the dinosaurs realistic. The show is well-paced with enough twists and turns in the plot to keep it interesting. Episode 3, "Instinct," was particularly clever.

The characters have been fairly well-developed as the show has progressed and are complex enough to allow for some surprises along the way. The acting is good; the characters believable.

While Terra Nova is more family-friendly than many adventure/sci-fi programs, it is probably not appropriate for young kids. The final episode of the season (or is it the second-to-last?), in particular, has a scene between a father and son that is quite disturbing. As an adult, I find Terra Nova to have the right balance of suspense, action and relationship. There isn't too much gore, no nudity/sex, and it isn't dark. It has its share of thought-provoking moments, mixed in with dinosaurs romping around. Altogether, an enjoyable program.

I really love Terra Nova. I love, how this show actually have a political view, and not just try to stay "neutral", because that is the most political correct (Fox running a show with a left-wing message (or "liberal", as I think you says "in the states"), no wonder that it was cancelled...).

However, the show have some clichés, and some predictable events, because we have seen it a thousand times before. Furthermore, the main story progress very show, and only develops in the first and last 2 episodes. In the rest of the episodes, the main story progress only a little, or not at all. These two things pulls a otherwise great and someway innovative show down.

An other bad thing is, that the show was cancelled after just one season, leaving the audience with a lot of unanswered questions (some of them even raised in some of the last episodes). But that is maybe more Fox to blame, rather than the show-writers.

Extremely disappointed that this series has been cancelled after just 1 season when it had just got going. The producers say a season 2 may be possible on another network but no progress has been made for well over 6 months. What a shame! This series seemed to have a good story with some excellent actors, likable characters and a big budget. It's not the best series I've ever seen but it is definitely worth a watch and offers much in terms of entertainment. Who doesn't like the idea of a futuristic human civilization traveling time to live amongst the dinosaurs? It's every young dinosaur lovers dream! There is plenty to keep you glued to the screen with exciting sub-plots and unique events in most every episode. Great concept executed well! I hope the series is picked up by another network soon. One of those series' that had a lot to offer its viewers and should never have been cancelled. Recommend to everyone out there with a taste for action, sci-fi and adventure, that ever dared to dream of a world where dinosaurs and humans could live together, 7/10

TERRA NOVA is not bad...but it is not that good either. All that matters is the return on the current investment, before advertising, a TV pilot record of $10 million on FOX which means ratings count otherwise it will be cancelled or sold and vastly stripped down. Beyond that I was horrified at the sheer cost and waste of talent that was on display during the pilot. Also the number of plot holes had me screaming at my TV, not because I'm mental but due to the fact that like Falling Skies I wanted to love the show from day one but they made it practically impossible. Steven Spielberg's involvement is almost a guarantee of poor quality these days (which boggles my mind) as he like with Falling Skies has sold his credit to the show.

It is as if the creators (amazingly a good fringe director!!??) have never read a good book / watched a great film or viewed a super series which is not the case if you look at all involved resume which leads me to believe that there was allot of interference from on high and the disjointed editing, and patchy almost hasty writing would support this. The dinos effects (that's really the selling point folks) were below par (especially in daylight), the script was a mediocre to laughable, the science messy, confusing and offensive, the acting was weak (as if the characters except Taylor could not commit) and those characters were mostly horrible (though as always fairly attractive) but like the alien dung of falling skies it has potential due to a captivating story (or idea) as sometimes dino dung can be sweet smelling and hey it makes roses grow right!...right?

There is no denying that though the Hollywood moneymen wet dream checklist has been ticked, it is currently fundamentally flawed, lacking the 'oomph' other better but recently cancelled shows had. Terra Nova is not as good as SGU/SG1/V/ENTERPRISE or BSG and it's definitely no LOST or blue enough to be AVATAR.

The mixed genres clashed violently, too violently for many families and too stupid for clever teens. It was not JACK BAUHER hardcore enough for young men with only a few deaths (not the annoying kids sadly) and the politics was no west wing and it was not Califonia sexy though the plain girl stripped off) or Castle witty though it clearly tried for a slice of every pie to get those ratings and big bucks back though probably it will alienate and lose the very audience it's trying to win through such transparent tactics.

So what is TERRA NOVA? Possibly 'falling skies - lite' which is no good thing as I was disappointed with FS though I am trying so hard to stick with it. At least TERRA NOVA has yet to bring in religion though ironically they managed to drag back all of the reasons the future is messed up into the past plus the stereotypes.

A good pilot (like LOST) would make me wow, laugh out loud, shed a tear, turn on the light etc. But there were never any really impacting moments though I did enjoy allot of what was on offer it was all so cliché and passé, unoriginal and underwhelming to have any lasting impact except for the current misdirection which as previously mentioned had me rialed up.

It's so obvious what is wrong with TERRA NOVA and to a less extent it can all be fixed but no one will give us Starship Trooper for TV which I think would be one way to make this show compulsive viewing. The show runners have balls but they have been locked away by a greedy corporation (a film in itself!) and all involved are desperate (due to the investment) and confused (due to the interference) at what they are trying to sell as clearly too many people have had their say to raise the budget and spread the burden.

By stretching themselves in every direction but not far enough Terra Nova is very middle of the road made for TV syfy movie nonsense hoping to appeal to all groups, races, ages etc but it won't, can't work (not on this budget)...it never works no matter how many dinos or aliens or ??? you throw into the primordial melting pot, people are just too savvy these days to fall for it long term. For all the rubbish on TV we are still fat from Dexter, Breaking bad, Lost, The Mentalist, BSG, House 24, Spartacus, The Wire, SOA, WW, BN which all deliver more bang even on reruns so why give time to a new show which fails to succeed in any one direction and as a whole is a mess.

Outside of Falling Skies if I had to compare it to anything or the route the inevitable cancellation will take it would be that of THE CAPE. I liked the cape and was sorry to see it go as one thing it excelled in was being ridiculous camp cheddar but it whiffs of the same extra ripe cheese created by juvenile execs champing at the bit of a film success train and jump on for the ride failing to understand the core mechanics and so we get processed cheese, totally missing the point of what makes a good show great.

Maybe someone will take charge and like SGU or V the second series will be far superior. Already the second part of the pilot was as such but those good shows I mentioned that was too late for them as they were canned so really it will come down to money (so sad that so much relies on such a sad thing) or how much they want to lose in the hope of making a hit. It never worked out for Flash Forward; can it work for Terra Nova?