The Last of Us series seems to have struck a blow and the first opinions from the press are unanimous, we have a real phenomenon here.
While in France we are still waiting for a date and a distribution platform, the series The Last of Us will arrive on HBO Max on January 15. As so often, a few days before its release, some of the press have already been able to see the first season and share their opinion with us. The returns are unanimous for the moment, the show of Craig Mazin (Chernobyl) and Neil Druckmann, the father of The Last of Us license, is a killer.
The series is hot!
If we are to believe the first reviews of the series The Last of Us offers a new reading of the original work, in particular by further developing its main characters, but also secondary ones. Most reviews say the series doesn’t skimp on detail and manages to weave a gripping story from start to finish. It is also said that several new characters are there and most of them are bursting the screen. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey are obviously doing a monstrous job in their role of Joel and Ellie and manage to take the guts.
Many opinions also salute the fidelity and attention to detail of the universe, perfectly transcribed on the screen, even its monsters. The 9 episodes are swallowed in one go despite their length and the first is also a real movie. However, it often comes back that not all environments are up to par, in particular because of some not very natural lighting.
In short, overall, the English-language press is conquered and the film starts with a score of 82 on Metacritic (for 18 reviews registered at the time of this writing). We will now wait for the release to see what fans and neophytes who will discover the license through the series think, but at first glance, it smells very good.
The first opinions on the series The Last of Us
Those who loved do not go with dead hands. We are told of “the best adaptation of all time”, of the performance of the simply incredible actors and of the narration with small onions. It sells dreams.
Discussingfilm
Series The Last of Us from HBO is one of the best examples of adaptation done right. The show takes on the story and finds many clever and powerful ways to elevate the source material. Additionally, the game’s original composer, Gustavo Santaolalla, once again delivers touching scores that heighten the performance, saturating every scene with emotion. It’s powerful, bold, and will no doubt leave new and old fans incredibly satisfied. Hopefully it works out well enough that Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin can return to adapt the sequel in a second season!
IGN
HBO’s The Last of Us is a jaw-dropping adaptation of one of the most impactful stories told in video games and brilliantly brings Joel and Ellie’s journey to a wide audience. Capturing the essence of what made the original game so enduring, it builds the world of the franchise while changing certain aspects for guaranteed surprise. Carried by the two remarkable interpretations of Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal, the series offers a rewarding spectacle for fans of the PlayStation hit, while remaining exciting for newcomers.
HollywoodReporter
The Last of Us from HBO is by far the best video game adaptation ever made for the big or small screen. That’s the description HBO wants for this post-apocalyptic tale of desperation, perseverance, and zombies, and it’s the description HBO is sure to get – because it’s almost unmistakably true. At the same time, it understates what a very good TV series The Last of Us is, although current fans will recognize that it is closely tied, sometimes shot for shot and line for line, to its Naughty source material. Dog.
Vanity Fair
The Last of Us is one of the best video game adaptations of all time. The Last of Us series doesn’t look anything like a revolution, it’s just a very well done show that rises above the competition.
RadioTimes
The Last of Us is the best video game adaptation of all time, and it’s also a fantastic soap opera in its own right. If you’re hesitant to watch it, do yourself a favor and jump in ASAP.
The Telegraph
With its nine episodes, it seems a little long, even if it is truncated compared to its source material. But in its scale, depiction of dread, and believable view of friendship in disaster, The Last of Us is a rare television work: an adaptation that makes you want to rush to play the game.
Empire
It’s arguably the best adaptation of a video game ever made: it deepens the game’s dystopian universe while staying true to its emotional core. Like the game, it is also a masterpiece.
All is not rosy though
However, some people liked it less and find on the contrary that the series The Last of Us never really manages to take off and survive by clinging to its original material: the game and the license from which it takes up the lines. If some critics once again salute the performances of the actors and certain elements of the universe, they also declare that there is nothing very remarkable about it.
Decide
Yet for all that is obviously wonderful about this series, it will never be able to escape its roots. The Last of Us is by far one of the biggest and most inspired video game adaptations brought to the screen. But that’s the problem, isn’t it? No matter the finesse of the writing, the inspiration of the visuals, the quality of the performances, it will always be an interactive story transposed on a passive medium.
slant
Ultimately, by stripping out the gameplay of a living genre game that’s fleshed out with film and TV tropes, the series ends up being just the latter: all flesh, not bones.
Entertainment Weekly
The field of action is vast, for the better (grand panoramas, extensive urban landscapes) and for the worse (one of the two prologues of the first episode is useless). There are plenty of characters, the action is good and works well. An episode completely changes the canon of the game, but some scenes are recreated identically. This may be best for first-timers, or fans who prefer barely-there adaptations. It helps make it feel like you’re watching someone else’s replay.
