2010 (USA)
Straight off I'm
going to tell you I love this series and it was a joy to have an excuse to go
back to the beginning and watch the first season again, especially now I've watched to the
end of season 2 and read the graphic novel. I'll add I also think I even enjoyed
it more this time too. My aim is to try and convey why I like this series
so much and keep it as spoiler free as possible.
The Walking Dead
started as successful graphic novel series by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and
Charlie Adlard back in 2004 and even if you're not a comic fan (tut tut) I'd
still recommend you pick this up especially now it's available in two nice fat
compendiums.
It was picked up for
a short 6 part season by AMC in 2010 and it was soon evident that Frank Darabont
(The Shawshank Redemption), a zombie genre fan, who wrote or co-wrote four of
the season's six episodes was onto something quite special. An extra 13 episode season later, with a Writers Guild of America Award
nomination, a Golden Globe Award nomination, and the record of being the
most-watched basic cable drama telecast in history; with videogames, books, fan
sites and merchandising and another bigger budget extra long 16 episode season in the
works, and I think it's safe to say the The Walking Dead snow ball is still only
gathering pace.
The narrative is
centred on sheriff's deputy Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) who wakes from a
gunshot-induced coma a la 28 Days Later, Resident Evil etc, and finds himself
in a devastated post apocalyptic world searching for his wife (Sarah Wayne
Callies) and son Carl. Lincoln is an inspired choice and with confidence
perfectly carries the role of a man striving to do his best in a hopeless
situation. The world Rick journeys through at all times feels expansive and
alive and you feel each character he encounters has a powerful story to tell.
The Walking Dead could really have fallen apart without the spread and depth of
these characters and the casting but fortunately for us this is not only an
area in which they excelled but it's why the series is such a success.
The Walking Dead is
traditional zombie survival story telling at its finest. Referring back to why
zombie films make me tick; it's the tension and drama of watching a wide range of
different personalities in the cinder-keg of zombie apocalypse. It's survival
101; not only being careful not be eaten, the survivors have to worry about the
mundane issues of food and water, laundry, shelter, kids, etc and to top it all
off their biggest threat: each other. As some find an inner reserve they never
knew they had and rise to the challenge others fall to despair or desperation.
There's nothing like a zombie apocalypse to bring out the best and worst in
people...
There's something
about the apocalyptic condition that allows for rebirth. That thought of being
able to start off again and leave any baggage of your past behind. I think this
is something that resonates throughout and it's somewhat inspiring watching people
re-write themselves even in such extreme conditions; alternatively it's like
watching a car crash in slow motion when things are not going so well.
Whilst keeping
faithful to the graphic novels Darabont isn't scared to mix it up for the
screen and whilst there are many things passed directly across he has not been
scared to change, add and ignore bits aplomb. It works.
The six episode
season 1 acts as an appetiser before the main course of season 2. Think of it
as a small nibble of flesh before getting your mitts on the meat and guts. It's
full of suspense, tension, intelligence and sensitivity. The special effects
are up there with any triple A big budget zombie film and horror fans will be
sated by what's on offer. But there's also plenty to attract the non zombie
aficionado with great characters and a well paced, cleverly written story.
Thing is, if you're
reading this you've probably already watched this and made up your own mind. A
must buy 9/10.
WTD.
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