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Fallout (2024)
Surprisingly Well-Executed Tone and Style, For a TV Show
Let's just get this out of the way: TV adaptations of beloved movie/anime/video game franchises often SUCK, and our expectations have been lowered so far that they're buried next to dinosaur dirt. Consequently, surpassing that bar is not a very tall order.
That said, Fallout (2024) is a breath of fresh air in the endless hell of streaming adaptations we're forced to endure year-after-year.
By far the greatest praise of this show is that it nails the TONE. The Fallout franchise is such a specific blend of Pax Americana, retro-futurism and post-apocalyptic dark comedy that this series seemed doomed to fail, as no one but Bethesda has been able to replicate that tone in such a specific way. Like many others, I believed this would just be another half-assed cash grab preying on the nostalgia of middle-aged gamers.
However, I was pleasantly surprised when I found myself eagerly jumping to the next episode! The tone is absolutely PERFECT. Although the "Mad Max-esque" future is grim and downright horrifying at times, its subtle blend with comedy and humanity is 100% spot-on.
Somehow (surely by black magic or otherworldly incantations) the show isn't a total mess! Heck, it's even downright enjoyable at times! The characters are properly developed and experience real narrative arcs throughout the season. Motivations make sense and there are real stakes for our (anti?)heroes. The sets and costumes are high quality, genuinely lived-in and believable. There is actual visual style and thought behind the cinematography. Clearly the creators held the games in high regard, and fans will certainly smile along seeing this homage play out on the screen.
Though there is much praise, it still manages to fall into some of the familiar trappings of generic streaming tripe (hence the 8/10). Some characters and motivations inevitably fall flat. While gore seems to unabashedly flourish in this post-apocalyptic hellscape, the ever looming prudish censorship of the FCC makes this story a largely loveless one. Chemistry between main characters is always played for laughs, with no intent to establish any kind of serious connection between our protagonists.
There is also what I considered to be some "filler episodes." While this ties in nicely to Fallout's theme of constantly getting distracted/sidetracked by random nonsense, the joke does wear a little thin when we only have 8 episodes to explore this specific story. If instead they would've spent this time further fleshing out the characters, I believe the narrative payoffs would have been much more significant.
All-in-all it was a very enjoyable evening spent watching this show (praise Amazon for releasing it all at once!). Fans of the game will surely find themselves engaged and get a few laughs. Even the uninitiated will likely bond with the main characters over their struggles and triumphs in this nightmarish vision of a post-nuclear American wasteland.
IMO worth watching at least the first episode or two for anyone curious; if you find yourself chuckling along with the dark humor - you may want to give the Fallout series a chance!
Dune: Part Two (2024)
Masterpiece of Science-Fiction, Epic in Scope and Vision
Denis Villeneuve has done what so many thought impossible and brought a fully realized retelling of Frank Herbert's "Dune" to the silver screen.
Following part one, "Dune: Part Two" excels in almost every way possible. It possibly even stands on its own as a singular film, which is always the mark of a well made sequel (i.e. Aliens, Terminator 2). It dexterously establishes much of the previous narrative, characters, and setting without overburdening the viewer with ham-fisted exposition.
Though departing (quite significantly in some ways) from the book, I did not see it as a negative. Where Lynch embraced the weird and obtuse elements in his 1984 adaptation; Villeneuve plays them straight and subdued, often times to great effect!
As a fan of his previous films (Enemy, Arrival, Blade Runner), he is clearly a filmmaker with a vision and Dune: Part Two is no exception. I found myself left with lasting impressions, even upon repeat viewings of this film. The classic structure of the hero's journey, Frank Herbert's allegorical warnings of false prophets, modern humor and cultural undertones; they are all so seamlessly interwoven that it will leave you stunned and contemplative for hours into the night.
The 9/10 is admittedly due to the accelerated pace, as I feel it may play just a beat too fast for some audiences (especially those not well-acquainted with the source material). However, at a near 3-hour runtime I feel that actually works a bit to its advantage. There was scarcely a dull moment and as the end credits I rolled I found myself asking "was that all?"
That said, I full-heartedly recommend this film and encourage anyone who has a passing interest in the sci-fi or action-adventure genres to give it a chance. A truly mesmerizing cinematic experience!
Scavengers Reign (2023)
Exploration of Themes: Life, Technology, Time, Relationships
To preface this review, I went in knowing absolutely nothing about this show. No wiki, no trailers, nothing. I'm emphasizing this because I think it was the perfect way to enjoy this work of art.
Scavengers Reign is an experience in and of itself. The visuals, sound design, the ideas presented are so fascinating and alien it screams "immediate classic" even after a first viewing.
I will not include spoilers because this show deserves it. However, it also deserves your undivided attention. I believe the best way to experience to this masterpiece is with no distractions. Shut off the lights, silence your phone and prepare to be fully transported into this bizarre and exhilarating sci-fi adventure.
The pacing is indeed slow at times, but it is deliberate and with intent. If you don't enjoy slow burns, this show is likely not for you. Action is dictated by plot instead of appeasing viewer stimulation. That said, if you can make it through the first two or three episodes, the payoff comes through exponentially.
The themes it explores are tackled in such interesting ways that it nearly guarantees repeat viewings, to wholly appreciate and marvel at all their intricate nuances. Humanity, life and death, intra/interpersonal relationships, tools and technology, environmental destruction and preservation, spirituality.
If any of the above resonates with you, I implore you to watch this show and do so in a setting that will let you focus. Possibly with high quality headphones to truly appreciate the genius sound design. It is in all regards a very stimulating experience: visually, aurally and emotionally. A sensational treat.
I gave it a 9/10 due to some (very minor) flaws in the animation and narrative pacing/plot contrivances. Even with these issues, I happily binged the entire show in one evening with complete disregard for having to wake up for work the next day. Definitely recommend.