The Last of Us Doesn’t Take a Long, Long Time to Grow on its Viewers
Live-action adaptation of beloved video game wins over fans and new watchers alike with its stellar performances.
By Sharon Kim
Live-action adaptation of beloved video game wins over fans and new watchers alike with its stellar performances.
By Sharon Kim
The new HBO Max original, “The Last of Us,” that began airing on Jan. 15, is a live action adaptation from the 2013 video game originally created by Naughty Dog, made possible by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann. Though many game-to-show adaptations usually get a bad wrap, this adaptation has found favor in enjoyers of the games and casual show watchers, and it's easy to see why.
In the world of “The Last of Us,” cordyceps, a real-world fungus, adapts to global warming, jumps to humans and turns them into various types of zombies. The series is led by two main characters, Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie Williams (Bella Ramsey). Joel, a hardened smuggler just trying to survive, was given the job to take Ellie across the U.S. We follow their journey through a desolate yet zombie-ridden America while having to navigate through their past and current traumas.
The anticipation for the series started in March 2014, and English teacher and newspaper adviser Jason Goldman-Hall, who has played through both games in the series multiple times, was one of the eager fans who waited.
“Honestly, since they announced the show I was excited. Early on it was sort of cautious excitement because sometimes adaptations aren't that good, but once I learned that the Naughty Dog creative team was heavily involved and started to see who they were casting for it I think real excitement just took over,” said Goldman-Hall.
This series is more than a post-apocalyptic world. It’s a story on the human condition and how it reacts when it's met with an earth shattering pandemic that freezes time.
“Unlike most apocalyptic types of games or shows, the sole focus isn’t just on survival. Ellie and Joel, throughout the story, are always fighting to keep going, but they also try to live,” said Eleri Kane, 11.
An example of truly living in the apocalypse is perfectly represented in episode three, “Long, Long Time.” As another player and fan of the game, Schiera Ventura, 10, feels that it was one of their favorite episodes.
“The game implies Bill’s sexuality, but the show goes into detail with this endearing love story that was so comforting. Because the game portrayed their relationship in a tragic, negative light, watching them live an idyllic life where they die in each others’ hands in the adaptation was so beautiful,” said Ventura.
The causal portrayal of good queer romances in the show was a nice surprise with Ellie and Riley’s being another same sex relationship that I enjoyed. The creators spend the proper time and energy to establish each bond and dynamic with tender and endearing moments that make you forget that they’re living in a post-apocalyptic world.
Human connection is a big message in the show. It's the driving force behind many characters' motivations to carry on in the world. Whether it's for the family they have, had or made, those meaningful relationships can be the biggest strength or vulnerability since love is a powerful force that drives people to unimaginable lengths.
Each new episode features breathtaking sets, and compelling characters so if one episode was not your jam, then all the other episodes may have a different tune that might fit your tastes better. The pacing in the show was another thing done right in my book by the way they press hard on the gas when action is involved, but know when to cruise and step back to give the watchers a break.
The Last of Us is an action packed, emotionally charged, and strategically subtle show that takes the utmost care in replicating and improving a beloved game series, and when they divate, they do it in the best way possible.
“This is the best adaptation I’ve ever seen and I think that every episode makes me think that more,” said Goldman-Hall. “It just consistently leaves me stunned, and amazed and happy.”
All episodes of “The Last of Us” are currently streaming on HBO Max.
In the world of “The Last of Us,” cordyceps, a real-world fungus, adapts to global warming, jumps to humans and turns them into various types of zombies. The series is led by two main characters, Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie Williams (Bella Ramsey). Joel, a hardened smuggler just trying to survive, was given the job to take Ellie across the U.S. We follow their journey through a desolate yet zombie-ridden America while having to navigate through their past and current traumas.
The anticipation for the series started in March 2014, and English teacher and newspaper adviser Jason Goldman-Hall, who has played through both games in the series multiple times, was one of the eager fans who waited.
“Honestly, since they announced the show I was excited. Early on it was sort of cautious excitement because sometimes adaptations aren't that good, but once I learned that the Naughty Dog creative team was heavily involved and started to see who they were casting for it I think real excitement just took over,” said Goldman-Hall.
This series is more than a post-apocalyptic world. It’s a story on the human condition and how it reacts when it's met with an earth shattering pandemic that freezes time.
“Unlike most apocalyptic types of games or shows, the sole focus isn’t just on survival. Ellie and Joel, throughout the story, are always fighting to keep going, but they also try to live,” said Eleri Kane, 11.
An example of truly living in the apocalypse is perfectly represented in episode three, “Long, Long Time.” As another player and fan of the game, Schiera Ventura, 10, feels that it was one of their favorite episodes.
“The game implies Bill’s sexuality, but the show goes into detail with this endearing love story that was so comforting. Because the game portrayed their relationship in a tragic, negative light, watching them live an idyllic life where they die in each others’ hands in the adaptation was so beautiful,” said Ventura.
The causal portrayal of good queer romances in the show was a nice surprise with Ellie and Riley’s being another same sex relationship that I enjoyed. The creators spend the proper time and energy to establish each bond and dynamic with tender and endearing moments that make you forget that they’re living in a post-apocalyptic world.
Human connection is a big message in the show. It's the driving force behind many characters' motivations to carry on in the world. Whether it's for the family they have, had or made, those meaningful relationships can be the biggest strength or vulnerability since love is a powerful force that drives people to unimaginable lengths.
Each new episode features breathtaking sets, and compelling characters so if one episode was not your jam, then all the other episodes may have a different tune that might fit your tastes better. The pacing in the show was another thing done right in my book by the way they press hard on the gas when action is involved, but know when to cruise and step back to give the watchers a break.
The Last of Us is an action packed, emotionally charged, and strategically subtle show that takes the utmost care in replicating and improving a beloved game series, and when they divate, they do it in the best way possible.
“This is the best adaptation I’ve ever seen and I think that every episode makes me think that more,” said Goldman-Hall. “It just consistently leaves me stunned, and amazed and happy.”
All episodes of “The Last of Us” are currently streaming on HBO Max.