The Last of Us: Season 1 [2023]

A four disc dvd box set containing all nine episodes of season one of 'the Last of Us.' A tv adaptation of a very popular video game.The story: In 2003, a fungal infection breaks out and human civilisation is quickly destroyed as a result. Some people are turned into terrifying creatures by this. Twenty years later, what's left of humanity has to deal with them. And exist in a new world. Among the ruins of the old.We meet Joel. A man who lost many things when the infection hit. He's now a tough and hardened survivor doing jobs for hire. He is hired by a group of resistance fighters to escort a teenage girl called Ellie across country. Because she might just be the key to saving humanity.And Joel and Ellie might just save each other...This is a fifteen certificate. Strong language. Violence. And graphic horror. There's a lot of this, so I wouldn't let kids anywhere near it. The episodes vary in length. The first is eighty one minutes. One other one goes over an hour. But most of the others are fifty to fifty five. The season finale is only forty. This doesn't wrap things up at the end. More is to come. A second season is on the way.I've not played the video game, so can't compare it to that. But reviews are saying it's the best adaptation of any game ever.Added to which, for someone like myself who has no experience of that, this is an utterly amazing bit of post apocalyptic drama. It's also a brilliant character drama. It works because the latter is the heart of it.Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey are both utterly brilliant in the lead roles. They really get into their characters and both grab your attention and get your sympathy. The narrative follows how their relationship develops as their journey goes along. We also see the dangers they face along the way. It's all a very convincing world, superbly realised and brought to life.Since I didn't know the story of the game, this held me completely as I was left wanting to see what would happen next. And the two characters had me also.Moral dilemmas do come up. In particular a lot of the last episode. But it all happens thanks to character action rather than needs of the plot. Which is how it should be.The score is also great. There's music here that isn't bold or loud, but it clicks and will stick in your mkind.The extras do go into detail what has been done to make this work for tv. I would think fans should be happy, as it just expands on some things and makes minor changes to others. If you are a fan, give it a chance. If you're into post apocalyptic drama, or just good character stories, give it a go. This is a labour of love from all concerned. As you can tell from the extras. And they have created something superb. That can appeal to so many. And leave you desperate for season two. Can't wait.The dvds have the following language and subtitle options:Languages: English, Castilian Spanish, Italian, Parisian, French.Subtitles: English, Castilian Spanish, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Parisian French, Swedish.Extras;Every episode has an inside the episode feature on the same disc that it's on. These run four to five mins and are overviews of things from them. Lots of extras like this can be dull or just a bit hollow publicity. These are not. These are really interesting and great watching as they do say and show things that are worth hearing and seeing.Main batch of extras are on disc four:Controllers down: adapting the Last of Us. Twelve mins about the genesis of the adaptation and how they made it work. This is absorbing viewing. Although there is a little bit of duplication with the inside the episodes.From levels to live action. Ten mins on comparing the game to the show and how they made the latter work. Also really interesting viewing.The last of us: Stranger than Fiction. Twenty three mins about fungal infections and surviving the end of the world. Amazingly good. Fascinating and scary, and full of great survival tips.Ashley Johnson spotlight. Two mins with the actress giving an overview of one key scene. Short but sweet.Get to know me: four four min long features - which can only be viewed individually - with various cast members answering questions about their work on the show. This is a good format for these, and they are good viewing as a result.Is this a last of us line?: Two five min long features - both only viewable individually - with cast members playing a game of seeing if a line of dialogue is from the show or not. This is a good game which makes for a good watch, although the second one does slightly duplicate the first as some of the questions are the same and doing it individually isn't as fun as the paired dynamic of the first one.The last debrief with Troy Baker. Five five min long features - again only viewable individually - with actor Troy Baker, who was in the game and is in the show also - answering questions about the whole thing. Again the format really works, and his passion for the Last of Us comes over in the answers, so these are worth a watch.

Really Happy with DVD and Fast Delivery

Just 9 episodes and they vary in length from 45 minutes to over an hour. Multi languages and subtitles including English for hearing impaired. Hearing impaired will appreciate that every sound and background music are highlighted. Plus something new in recent series : 'inside the episode' feature on every episode. Disc 4 also has over 2 hours of extra bonus features.Astounding acting, which has to be, as our two main protagonists don't hog screen time continuously. Each episode gives us a compelling sub-plot with guest character actors who are the reason why this series is so special. They are just brilliant actors, certainly not famous as in G.O.T. or The Walking Dead, but nail their roles and that is as much to do with the script as the directors of the segments.The heart beating vibrantly are Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal. Anyone who has seen 'Narcos' will remember Pascal as the co-agent bringing down Escobar in that rough, tough series about the drugs cartel of Columbia.Ramsey becomes more comfortable as the series unravels, to the point where I thought she is perfect in her role. So cocky and rude early on, then the subtlest transformation into a traumatised survivor by the end.'The Last Of Us' is violent, has creative coarse language, has stunning graphic design of several large devastated cities.The creature effects are witheringly stunning and reminded me of the alien creatures in 'A Quiet Place' and it's sequel. But these are humans who have become fungus-heads, an appalling sight.Like TWD the desolation and helplessness of Mankind are captured so cleverly as the episodes progress. And there is huge sensitivity shown throughout of situations and relationships that we might see as mundane in our own lives.The episode with the two gay men was particularly poignant in my view. I'm just a grunt but I was moved by the sensitivity in the actors portrayals ---- how awful that some attacked the actors for doing their job so successfully revealed at an awards ceremony in 2024. There's no pleasing some.Though this series is plucked from a game and you might imagine it would be fast and furious, it has as co-writer Craig Mazin who meticulously wrote the frightening 'Chernobyl'.My only disappointment is that season 2 may not arrive until 2025 with prevailing winds.

Gripping tv show just as good as the computer game

Great series if you have played the games they keep very close to the game, I remembered playing parts as the series. It was great, great story great acting

Great dvd. I am glued to my tv watching this. Highly recommend for a gift or a treat for yourself 😃

It’s great can’t wait for season two

How many stars can you give to a serial that is - Intriuiong/Frustrating/Annoying/Violent/Enthralling/Gory/Scary/Sweary (very), and very very moreish. I think that sums up this surprisingly good show. Frustrating becaus so many "new " characters featured in almost every ep. who didn't seem relevant...but were. Intriguing because I genuinely cared about Joel and Ellie, and wanted to know what the next episode would hold. Violent - Very, and pretty gory too. I also found it scary...the "Infected" are really terrifying. The speed they attack and their horrifying makeup make "The Walking Dead a stroll in the park. One thing I didn't like and feel it should be made plain is the CONSTANT use of the "F" word. Every episode is jammed with it, and coming out of the potty mouth of a 14 year old Ellie may just offend. Which leads nicely into the star who holds it all together...Bella Ramsay. Perhaps a hard choice for such an important role, but she is excellent. Sulky, angry, childish, loyal, violent and in episode 9 she has a wonderful childish delight moment. She (sorry They) ust seemed so natural and her partnersip with Pascal is a brilliant casting coup. Hope we don't wait too long for season 2 because I can't imagine where it will take us (The ending here is satisfactory, and "no" I have never seen or ever played the computer game.)