For video games adapted to movies or shows, I usually have extensive knowledge as I am a fan of the game itself. Fallout is different as I have not ever played the games. This meant that this show was a unique experience for me as I was now coming in from a non-fan perspective. Does this show succeed in pulling in newcomers?
Firstly, the world itself is interesting. The post-apocalyptic world is visually stunning thanks to the phenomenal cinematography. They managed to capture a weirdly unfound beauty of the world but also contrast this with the ugly nature of human beings. We see how humans on the surface survive through these towns or the cruel activities they do. We also see factions such as the Brotherhood who try for some order on the surface and people who become ghouls after becoming mutated by the radiation. The monster designs are creepy and disgusting which is what makes them great. Some humans have also survived by going into vaults underground. The mystery behind the vaults is a big part of this show and kept me guessing about the meaning all the time. The lore in Fallout is captivating but never feels like information overload.
The story also does a great job of juggling multiple character plots. Our central character Lucy MacLean, who is played wonderfully by Ella Purnell, goes to the surface to rescue her dad after their Vault is attacked. The premise is simple but the execution is well done. The series starts as a fish out of water story for Lucy but gradually becomes something different as more mysteries are uncovered. We also have a story about Maximus who is sent on a quest from the Brotherhood to receive a man. There is also The Ghoul, played amazingly by Walton Goggins, who is now a gunslinger also on a quest for the same man. Additionally, Norm MacLean is discovering a dark secret about their vault. All these characters and different plotlines occur in the show but they managed to balance all of it out while keeping all of them engaging. The writing and the dark humour are all great. I love that none of the characters are one dimensional and they all have quite the depth to them. Lucy isn’t a badass and is an overly naive idiot. Her growing as she spends more time in the wasteland feels natural. The others also have great character arcs.
The production designs of the sets are amazing. It is clear that a lot of effort went into building them and being as practical as well. It is also very notable that they filmed a lot on location which makes the show feel more real. They could easily just use green screen or CGI for a lot of the show but they didn’t and I appreciate that. For example, the Brotherhood power armour is an actual practical suit and looks awesome. The rest of the costumes are also wonderfully designed from the Vault suit to the dirty look of those on the surface. Special praise should also come to the practical makeup of The Ghoul’s face which honestly should win awards because it looks amazing. The music score by Ramin Djawadi for the show is very good. He uses excellent 50s and 60s songs for the right moment. He also composes a nice score that doesn’t feel overly distracting. The score for whenever The Ghoul appears is honestly terrific! The violence in the show is grim and maybe a little gratuitous but it adds to the charm of the show.
I don’t have many flaws to say about this show apart from nitpicks. The second half of the show, except the finale, is a little weak compared to the first half. We don’t get any cool action sequences and the story goes on a slight side quest detour for some characters that doesn’t amount to much. The dialogue is also a little on the nose and a bit overly silly for the second half. I also kind of wish we got to see more monsters on the wasteland. We get two great monster encounters in the first half of the show but the second half just doesn’t have any.
Overall, Fallout is the next in amazing video game adaptations. When you have a show written by someone who seems to respect the games and the fans, you get Fallout. Not only did they write a show that pleases fans but also one that can bring in newcomers like me. I barely have any knowledge of the games, yet I was thoroughly entertained by this show. I can’t wait for season 2! Heck, maybe I should get into the games for once.
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