The Last of Us: Season 1 - Review
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© HBO
Created by: Craig Mazin, Neil Druckmann
Directed by: Craig Mazin, Neil Druckmann, Peter Hoar, Jeremy Webb, Jasmila Zbanic, Liza Johnson, Ali Abassi
Written by: Craig Mazin, Neil Druckmann
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, Anna Torv, Nico Parker, Murray Bartlett, Nick Offerman, Melanie Lynskey, Storm Reid, Merle Dandridge, Jeffrey Pierce, Lamar Johnson, Keivonn Woodard, Graham Greene, Elaine Miles, Ashley Johnson, Troy Baker
Synopsis: Taking place twenty years after modern civilization has been destroyed, Joel (Pedro Pascal), a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie (Bella Ramsey), a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal, heartbreaking journey, as they both must traverse the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.
© HBO
Editor's Note: Original review was written for That Shelf. Full article can be found below.
REVIEW SUMMARY
The Last of Us is the first live-action videogame adaptation able to finally break the frustrating curse, reaching the so-desired unprecedented level of excellence. Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann construct a complex character study driven by fascinating protagonists, Joel and Ellie, exploring the grief, traumas, and tragedies of their lives through unimaginable moral dilemmas, emotionally heavy conversations, and devastating moments. Save for rare exceptions, the episodic narrative formula is remarkably efficient, offering a panoply of intriguing characters and outstanding performances - Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey clearly stand out from the rest. A more intimate, grounded version of a post-apocalyptic world that doesn't lack gory, violent action/horror sequences. Gustavo Santaolalla's score couldn't be a better fit. If I was already excited to venture into the video game, now I can't wait for that day to come.
