Just take a short ride to notice the trend. The platforms of stream and some channels are populated by productions based on video games. They are movies and series, some live action and some animated. In recent history, no one has raised as many expectations or touched on a theme as vivid to everyone as The Last of Uswhich premieres this Sunday at 11 p.m., on HBO and HBO Max.
With a production budget of about one hundred million dollarsthe television network tank tells the story of Joel and Ellie, twenty years after them modern civilization was destroyed by a pandemic caused by a fungus in the United States.
While the stories may be related to Covid-19, the video game dates back to 2013, when no one dreamed of a post-coronavirus gift (not so post, by the way).
Joel (Peter Pascal) is a survivor who must smuggle teenage Ellie out (Bella Ramsey). Where is she? In the an area with strict quarantine. Thus they will begin a journey across the country, in which they will need each other to survive.
It’s never easy to predict the success or failure of a television production, but yes, some signs can be glimpsed before its premiere. power The Last of Us switch from cult video game to great television phenomenon? Here are some good reasons to give the first season at least a chance – it is assumed that there will be at least three – of this one ambitious proposal.
A luxury creative staff, with the HBO Seal of Quality
Good creative duos are key to building great products. And that’s the case with this one drama series, written and produced by Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin. The first is the one who designed and directed the video game on which the series is based; their presence perhaps assures – this is the fervent wish of the most fanatic – a certainty preservation of the spirit of the game.
While Mazin is not only a fan of the game, but also a great director and screenwriter. In 2019 he was the creator and co-producer of Chernobyl, the series about the nuclear disaster that swept the Emmyswith 19 nominations and various awards, including the best miniseries. The man knows how to tell stories and It has already done this with disaster scenarios.
In music, apart David Flemingthere is one known to all of us: Gustavo Santaolalla, twice an Oscar winner for Babel Y Secret in the mountains. The producer had already created the songs for the game, so he knows well the world that has to count on his music.
Two actors of proven effectiveness
There was a lot of speculation about the protagonists of the series, until the names were finally announced: Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. Fans and the media immediately made the connection: They get back together on a screen after Game of Thrones.
In that series, the Chilean nationalized American played Oberyn Martellwhile the 19-year-old British actress was a revelation in the role of Lyanna Mormont. And he certainly has a bright future in the world of film and television.
Perhaps there is a repetitive element – and a common factor – between this and this Pascal character. The two are indomitable men, who must accompany a minor on a survival mission.. The creators play it safe. And there is nothing wrong.
In addition to Pascal and Ramsey in the lead roles, the cast of actors is also notablewith names like Gabriel Luna, Anna Torv, Nico Parker, Murray Bartlett and Nick Offerman, among others.
A story as tough as human
It has been almost ten years since the franchise launched this horror and survival game. From the start, he’s built a legion of fans who have not only chosen his game and characters, but -mainly- the profoundly human nature of its history.
in the episodes there are zombie creatures, theater of havoc in a post-apocalyptic United States, violence and an atmosphere of fear. But these are not the central themes that drive the story, which never abandons its dose of humanity in the midst of horror.
Joel softens as the episodes go by and certain doses of humor are needed to deal with so much lonely wasteland. Sometimes they do it simply by having a conversation or by telling a joke. Small details that humanize everything.
Perhaps that spirit is encapsulated in the philosophical question the trailer begins with: “If you don’t believe there is hope in the world, why bother continuing?”.
The idea of making a leap in quality on the pitch
While there are numerous video game adaptations to series and films, theRecent history is full of failed cases in their plotsWhat Super Mario Brothers Street Fighter Y Destinyjust to name a few.
In this first video game adaptation produced by HBO, the filmmakers aim to build a series for those who played the game and loved it. But, above all, for those who would never grasp a command and Only in this way can they reach the story.
will score The Last of Us a before and after in game-based productions? The images suggest, at least, a prestigious drama and content that goes beyond what is included in the game.
Not for the anxious
If you don’t like dark drama or certain doses of melancholy, this is probably not a series for you. Nor if you want a quick story, which can be marathoned in a few hours and episodes. The opening chapter –the first season has nine– Of The Last of Us lasts an hour and twentythe same as a conventional film.
It is the longest first chapter of an HBO serieswhich far exceeds those of House of the Dragon Y game of Thrones. While the rest of the season has other shorter ones, there are a few that swing to that “extra large” length as well, a bit against current trends.
Source: Clarin
