The Last of Us - Season 1

It's been a long time since I've been so fully engrossed in a series that I could finish it in two days. The opening 30 minutes set the bar very high not only for the entire series, but also for cinema as a whole, and it will hopefully never be lowered again. The start of the pandemic was so engaging, action-packed, aggressive and breathtaking that I literally sat with my mouth open and devoured every minute. Not counting the 6th episode, which I’d rather pretend doesn't exist, the whole series is actually perfect. It has action, it has gore, it has great make-up effects, the origin of the Cordyceps, the A-list main characters (strangely enough, Ellie didn't piss me off at all, as I expected and as everyone announced, on the contrary, I actually grew to like her), and most of all, the scenery, the visuals and the pace of the story are excellent. My only regret is perhaps that 9 episodes is just drastically short and the whole series would have deserved at least a few seasons where enough attention is paid not only to the characters and their backgrounds, but also to the colonies, the original parasitic fungus and the whole world around them. Likewise, the action could have been more epic, more spectacular, and some sort of carnage battle between an army of humans against the infected would have been a highlight of the whole brand. As it is, it feels terribly truncated in places and you are thrown characters and colonies that disappear from view 30 minutes in and never return, yet you can feel the potential for them to grab attention for themselves. The finale then feels like it doesn't have that typical "feel of a final episode" and is just a simple ending to a renowned series like this and takes away a bit from the overall impression. Is this the pinnacle of 21st century filmmaking? Yes. But could it have been better? Sadly, yes, too. In sum, the overwhelming feeling is one of satisfaction and "good, but it could have been better..." (03/13/2023)

The Mazin-Druckmann paradox. I don't know to what extent I would enjoy it as a viewer unfamiliar with the source material, but I wouldn't mind the "tabula rasa" position. Either way, it's a spectacle from an alternative universe where nothing essential is missing and everything extra is just a bonus. If we exclude the long minutes of sneaking and bloody battles, there remain about 8-9 hours of plot material, which is utilized absolutely perfectly. The minimum number of clickers is not the fault of the creators, but it contributes to Joel's experience, who leads the journey thoughtfully, and all encounters with them are moments when the well-thought-out plan falls apart. I discuss my minor objections in more detail in the reviews for the individual episodes. Otherwise, I am extremely satisfied. (03/21/2023)

Fantastic. Proof that HBO has the magic touch, turning everything it handles into a gem, unlike other VOD services. This series is a testament to the possibility of creating a successful adaptation of a video game — one that not only reminds you of the game but stands strong on its own. The story is already compelling, but the technical execution here is top-notch. I held back on the fifth star due to the intense LGBT focus, which was prominent in the game and continues in the series. (03/17/2023)