Anyone remember the video game adaptation curse? It was a bit of conventional wisdom that suggested, for one reason or another, that any attempt to bring our favorite virtual settings to a bigger screen was doomed for failure. Not long ago, disasters such as “Super Mario Bros.” (1993), “Hitman” or Uwe Boll’s many attempts at moviemaking were cited as prime examples. But with Amazon Prime’s “Fallout,” the latest in a longline of successful productions, the idea of a curse can finally be laid to rest.
One thing the $1 billion grossing “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (2023), HBO’s “The Last of Us”, and “Fallout” have in common is that they are based on video game IPs. For fans of vault dwellers and the struggle to survive in the wasteland of what was once the USA, any adaptation would either be built on or measured against titans. Games like 1997’s “Fallout: A Post Nuclear Role-Playing Game,” “Fallout New Vegas” and “Fallout: 4” are acclaimed for having some of the best story-telling the gaming medium has to offer.
First-time viewers of the series will notice just how distinct “Fallout”’s visual and auditory setting can be. That is no coincidence. Cleverly, the show builds on what came before, filling a ruined world with plenty of callbacks, easter-eggs, and music that fit the IP’s DNA. While not exactly the same, the Prime series does enough to pay homage to the past while striking out to do its own thing. While the former will keep fans smiling, the latter is where this show really stands out.
The story unfolds from multiple perspectives. Lucy, a member of Vault 33, is chasing the bandits that kidnapped her father. Maximus, an Aspirant of the Brotherhood of Steel, is dying for a chance to prove himself. Meanwhile the Ghoul, a ruthless gunfighter with a past of his own, is freed and chasing the bounty of a lifetime. Each protagonist, as well as the show’s many important side characters, is well-acted, driven, and cleverly reveals different aspects of life in a dystopian nightmare. These threads come together to form a mosaic that is equal parts thrilling, humorous, and action-packed.
“Fallout” proves that with the right team and budget, adaptations can be made that are both faithful to the source material even while striking out on their own. That’s not to say the show is flawless. It relies far too much on deus ex machina and other plot contrivances to get characters from place to place at times. A few of the effects, including the power armor, do occasionally disappoint. That said, the good far outweighs the bad. You don’t have to have ever played the games to appreciate the hit show. It’s just that good.
Written by Ismael David Mujahid, Executive Editor
(Featured Image from Amazon Prime)
Check out our latest posts:
- Tartan Threads: provides students with more than professional attire.
If there are things that carry college students through their time in college, it has to be the programs that are put in place to help them along the way, something like Tartan Threads. Felicia Wethington introduces Tartan Threads, a program that provides students with free dress clothes that are entirely free for students who… Read more: Tartan Threads: provides students with more than professional attire. - Clarion Recipes You can Make at Home: Chicken Eugene
There is no better time to be alive than in this era and generation, where people are not only creative when it comes to art but also in the kitchen. There are many ways to cook chicken, which is impressive. In this article, the Clarion will share a recipe for Chicken Eugene, a dish that… Read more: Clarion Recipes You can Make at Home: Chicken Eugene - SB 104: The Impact of Ohio’s New Bill on Transgender Rights in Educational Institutions
Following in the footsteps of 38 other states, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine recently passed SB 104, a bill that prohibits transgender and gender non-conforming people from using the bathroom best aligning with their gender identity in schools. The “Protect All Students Act” was signed into law on November 13 and will take effect on February… Read more: SB 104: The Impact of Ohio’s New Bill on Transgender Rights in Educational Institutions - The Clarion: The Top 5 Most-Read Stories of 2024
At the end of each year, most people sit down and make a new year resolution, and few sit down to reflect on what they have accomplished in the year ending. As a reflection of how many articles the Clarion wrote, here are the top five most-read stories of 2024. 1. “Brazilian Wave,” written by… Read more: The Clarion: The Top 5 Most-Read Stories of 2024 - Part 2: Career Advice To Students From Students
Emma Schenck, Addiction Services Major. Photo Credit: Emma Schenck Before choosing her current career path, Emma Schenck attended the University of Cincinnati as a criminal justice major. “For me, what got me into addiction services was the personal experience that I had throughout Cincinnati with addiction, and homelessness outreach. So that gave me a passion… Read more: Part 2: Career Advice To Students From Students