Fallout kicks off a grand epic series based on the beloved video game series that is full of outstanding world building, danger, excitement and shocking moments that makes for one wildly entertaining binge.

 

With the recent success of the Sonic the Hedgehog films, The Super Mario Bros. Movie and HBO’s The Last of Us, there has been a renewed interest in adapting popular video game franchises for the screen. And while it has been in development long before the success of these other properties, Amazon Prime Video’s latest tentpole series is another video game adaptation that is sure to be a hit amongst fans of the video game series and viewers looking for a new science fiction show to watch. It comes as no surprise with Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy behind the series, having created Westworld which is one of the best and most underseen television series of the past decade. Their intelligent and inventive style of storytelling perfectly blends with the bonkers, violent and offbeat craziness of the Fallout video game series, resulting in one riveting series that is sure to captivate viewers over its eight episode first season.

 

Immediately, it is evident that the highlight of Westworld is the world building that happens over the course of the world. This alternate version of America, itself a victim of atomic warfare, is brought to life by wonderful set design that truly brings to life the world of the show. It feels like a secondary character at times as the sets each have a unique feel to them, helping to inform the audience of each of the different settings and their associated dangers within this world. The visual effects and CGI used to bring to life the science fiction elements are outstanding, proving that Amazon spared no expense in this show’s production, while an emphasis on practical effects for many of the creatures and where possible is greatly appreciated. It all comes together to give a true sense of wonder and danger to everything that the audience and characters experience, only elevated by a great array of 1950s music from the pre atomic explosion timeline and an excellent musical score from Ramin Djwadai. In terms of scale, you will be hard pressed to find another new series as inventive and wonderful as Fallout.

 

Adaptations of video games work best when they aren’t married to the story of the games, but instead build a familiar yet distinct story set in that same world, and that is what Nolan and Joy have done here. The series depicts an atomic war savaged America and follows an eclectic group of individuals as a new threat emerges. While the story starts off slow, carefully laying the groundwork for individual character arcs and different plot threads, once the story hits the midpoint of the season, all of the plot threads begin to tie themselves together and the story takes off at lightning pace. Nolan and Joy, using a similar story telling structuring technique to what they did in Westworld, build the two timelines in the story towards an exciting, shocking season finale that will leave viewers stunned and eagerly awaiting the already confirmed second season. But what makes the show truly unique is its tone. While there is an underlying danger to the show that fits this epic science fiction tale that unfolds, it has a dark, offbeat comedic tone with outrageous and almost cartoonish gore throughout that connects with the inner teenager in viewers, making for one fun adventure to watch unfold.