For Millennials. By Millennials.
It seems like HBO Max has hit the jackpot with The Last of Us, as the series has managed to generate a massive buzz and impressive viewership numbers from the very first episode. This is no small feat in a market that has been saturated by Netflix and plagued by box office failures. It’s clear that the video game TV genre has been waiting for the right combination of script and screen, and it looks like HBO Max has delivered just that with The Last of Us.
As fans eagerly await the next season, it’s worth noting that not everyone is on board with the series. Some critics have expressed skepticism about the show’s ability to live up to the high expectations set by the video game. However, with such a strong debut and a loyal fan base, it seems like The Last of Us is here to stay. Only time will tell if it can continue to deliver the same level of quality and keep viewers engaged, but for now, it’s safe to say that the series has hit the ground running.
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Tv shows adopted from video games
TV has been a winner at turning video games into binge-worthy shows, while movies are busy spending money on fancy sets instead of good storytelling. The Last of Us is breaking the mold by bringing a beloved game to a wider audience, making even non-gamers curious about its post-apocalyptic plot.
The Last of Us Video Games
The Last of Us video game hit screens in 2013, revealing a world where a fungus has turned people into mindless zombies and follows the grizzled Joel (now played by Pedro Pascal in the TV show) who’s tasked with guiding an immune teenage girl named Ellie (played by Bella Ramsey) through the dangerous post-apocalyptic wasteland of the US. But hold on to your hats, folks! The New Yorker recently interviewed creator Neil Druckmann, who spilled the tea on a failed movie adaptation back in 2014. Apparently, the bigwigs wanted to make it bigger and sexier, like Brad Pitt’s flick World War Z. Thank goodness for television, where the story can be told as it was meant to be.
The Last of Us video game, however, offers a more intimate story. It is a character study of astonishing depth, offering around 15 hours of gameplay. It burns dark, violent, slow & thick with an atmosphere of melancholy and dread; heavily influenced by the aesthetics of prestige television and cinema. Druckmann himself has referenced the Coen Brothers’ film No Country for Old Men as a touchstone.
The video game’s TV adaptation is an impressive and faithful rendition of the critically acclaimed video game. Druckmann and Mazin have managed to capture the essence of the game in every aspect of the show, including the visuals, music, and overall vibe. The first few episodes of the show closely follow the game’s storyline, introducing us to Joel, a loving father who is trying to protect his daughter Sarah during the initial outbreak of the Cordyceps brain infection.
The infected beings, which start out as fast and frenzied, have evolved over two decades into a terrifying and fungus-covered horror. The Clickers, with their super-sensitive hearing and screeching movements, create a truly frightening experience for viewers. Joel, now a hardened smuggler in a Boston Quarantine Zone, is portrayed intensely and hauntingly by Pedro Pascal. He encapsulates the character’s buried emotions and layers of violence and despair while also showing a sense of sensitivity as Joel slowly opens up throughout the show.
Related: The Last of Us Season 2: A Wild Ride of Emotions
We are not done yet!
Bella Ramsey‘s portrayal of Ellie is perfect, balancing her playful, foul-mouthed, and adorably irritating character traits while also displaying her charismatic and fearless nature. The contrast between Ellie‘s character and Joel’s toughness is one of the show’s highlights, with the writing adding to the charm by having Ellie chip away at Joel‘s exterior with her love of bad jokes.
Humor is a much-needed relief in the grim and savage world they journey through, and the TV adaptation also does an excellent job of transforming the video game’s sub-plots, revealed through letters and mementos discovered by the player, into complete and compelling stories. It’s during these moments where Druckmann and Mazin take the boldest creative risks, making This HBO special shine as a truly remarkable TV show that fans of the video game and newcomers alike can enjoy.
It looks like The Last of Us series is slaying the competition, with more monthly searches than Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Halo, Sonic Prime, and even Pokémon! It seems like people just can’t get enough of this post-apocalyptic world and its characters. Who can blame them? With intense action, heart-wrenching moments, and a touch of humor, This tv show has something for everyone. So, if you haven’t checked it out yet, what are you waiting for? Join the fandom and see what all the fuss is about!
Flaws of the show
While not perfect, the TV adaptation of the HBO special does have its flaws. Some scenes feel too game-like, and the pacing could use an extra episode to smooth it out. However, even with these imperfections, it’s widely agreed that this is the best video game adaptation ever made. For fans of the game, the show captures the essence of the story with skill and respect, while still surprising them along the way.
And for non-gamers, it’s a chance to experience the full-bodied characters, intricate plot, and mature themes of love and loss that the game is known for. It’s like Ellie said, this show is “outstanding in its field.” Sure, it may not be able to fully replicate the experience of being hunted down by a Clicker, but it still manages to capture the heart and soul of the game.
Related: A List Of The Best Post-Apocalyptic Movies Of All Time