Streaming on HBO Max
I have commented many times before on this blog about the state of video game adaptations, both good and bad. I've seen once-funny comedians fail miserably to pay homage to the glory days of gaming's past. I have seen filmmakers ignore a game's identity in favor of inappropriate "artistic license." I have only seen one decent film adaptation of a video game property merely because the director took the time to understand the material. Having watched and enjoyed the HBO Max adaptation of one of my favorite video games, I can add another to my list of adaptations to succeed in every possible way.
The series faithfully adapts the game's story to the screen and adds extra layers of texture that further enhance the characters and narrative themes. It's incredible for those who haven't played the game and more so for those who have. The times when it deviated from the source material turned out to be for the better and proved themselves to be more fantastic than I could have believed possible. I found no aspects of this glorious adaptation unnecessary, unfounded, or unworthy of my total and undivided investment.
Based on the video game title from developer Naughty Dog and writer/creator Neil Drukmann (who also co-developed and co-wrote the series), the story takes place in a post-apocalyptic future where an aggressive species of cordyceps (a brain-altering fungus that turns its hosts into mindless drones) has wiped out over 60% of the world's population. Our "hero" is an old man named Joel (Pedro Pascal), who lost his young daughter in the initial outbreak and has been surviving by any means necessary ever since. Things take an unusual turn when he encounters a young girl named Ellie (Bella Ramsey), who is mysteriously immune to the fungus. Suddenly, Joel is tasked with transporting Ellie to a research facility across the country where a group known as The Fireflies hopes to develop a cure using Ellie's biological information. With the fate of humanity's future riding on their shoulders and with a world as dangerous as this one, they might discover what survival really is.
The series follows the story of the original game nearly beat for beat, deviating in areas where it better serves the story in the adaptation. Much to my delight, I found these deviations incredibly welcoming, and even some of them better than their original counterparts. While I will not spoil any details as to what some of these deviations are (that is for another blog entry), I greatly appreciated the discipline in not insisting on remaining entirely faithful to the source material. Finding exciting new possibilities and expanding upon them is one of the many aspects of this show that make it incredible, and I could not have been happier with the outcome.
The performances from the entire cast, especially the two leads, are astonishing. Pedro Pascal's and Bella Ramsey's chemistry highlights most of the show. Further enhanced by their apparently positive on-set friendship. While some may find Ellie's character a bit overboard and "trying too hard," I can assure you that it is intentional and vital to her development and growth throughout the story. It may take a while to warm up to her antics, but it will be well worth it once you do.
The cinematography is breathtaking. Despite the occasional overly dark scenes here and there, the images maintain a sense of contrast. Action scenes are filmed with just enough handheld-style movement to create a sense of immersion without compromising comprehension. Two aspects of cinematography that need to be improved in the modern age of digital filmmaking.
While some may object to the violence depicted within the story, this is one of those cases where it is in service to the story and not for mere violence's sake. Yes, one or two moments may make keeping your eyes on the screen challenging, but just like the original game, they are strictly for narrative development and do not overstay their welcome.
I am pleased to report that this series has made me glad to renew my HBO Max subscription. Here's hoping more quality content like this continues to fill the services catalog. However you can, I highly encourage you to watch this series post haste. It is a remarkable adaptation and a stunning examination of the human condition in the face of devastation & survival. Also, a touching story about two people who might find solace in each other.
Unquestionably worth your time! Also, in case you're wondering, episode 3 (Long, Long Time) is my favorite.
Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading.
