HBOs adaptation of the acclaimed video game, The Last of Us, is a massive hit among its viewers. Will a movie based on the game be any good? Let’s compare the game and series and come to a conclusion. Spoilers ahead!
The Last of Us
The Last of Us TV series is an adaptation by HBO of the acclaimed video game series of the same name by Naughty Dog. The series is a little different from the game while still staying faithful to the game. The creators, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann (co-creator of the game), ensured that the series has some stand-alone takes. They made the series cater more to the emotional aspects of the characters, as seen more vividly in episode 3 of the series.
The changes in the series in comparison to the game
The timeline: The game begins in the year 2003 and the main character Joel is only 31yo, and when it skips to 20 years later in 2030 he is 51 years old. The series, however, began in 2013. Joel is 36yo and in the 20 years time jump, he is 56. They even changed his date of birth to fit the actor Pedro Pascal’s physic. Ellie remains the same age as in the game – a 14yo girl.
Time spent in the QZs: In the game, the time spent by Joel in the Quarantine Zone is explored less. In the series, they explored Joel’s time in the QZs, his relationship with Tess, and his life adjusting to the new world.
Spores: Spores are the main reason for the fungal infection spreading in the game. Which makes more sense and stays scientifically accurate. In the series, one has to be bitten for the infection to spread.
Relationships and Deaths
Joel and Tommy: In the game, Joel and his brother Tommy get separated because of Tommy’s decision to join the Terrorist group, Fireflies. Joel and Tess mainly leave the quarantine zone to acquire more weapons. In the series, the reason for the separation of the brothers is unknown so far. Joel and Tess leave the QZ to find Tommy.
Tess’s death: In the game, when Tess, Joel, and Ellie arrive at Capitol Building, they find the military Tess has killed the Fireflies, revealing that she has been infected, and stays back to distract the military while Joel and Ellie escape. Tess suggests Joel find Tommy, who might help them find the other fireflies. In the series, when the group reaches Capitol Building, they find that the Fireflies are infected and die as a result. One of the “clickers” attack the trio and Tess is bitten as a result. When Joel shoots the creature in the head, revealing their location, the other clickers make their way there. Tess stays back to burn the building while Joel and Ellie escape and try to find Bill and Franks’s place.
Tess’s Death Scene in the last of us was brilliantly done!! As she lit those flames it was like she was saying “I’m not turning into one of those things!!” Which is what she said in the game. Brilliant acting from #AnnaTorv Ngl I shed a tear at her death!! #TheLastOfUsHBO #TLOU
— ꧁🦋𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐚🦋꧂ (@xmara_gtax) January 23, 2023
Bills town: Bill is very much alive in the game. He even helps Joel and Ellie stock up on their artillery and gives them tips. While it’s obvious in the game that Bill and Frank had a romantic relationship before Frank left for an unknown reason, nothing else about them is explored. In the series, however, episode 3 deepens into Bill and Franks’s relationship. Bill’s life during the beginning of the pandemic, his initial contact with Frank, and how the latter changed Bill’s perspective of life. At the end of the episode, we see Bill and Frank die peacefully together in their little heaven.
Is a movie for The Last of Us a good idea?
While we wait for more series episodes to be released, would a movie do justice to the game? In the game, we are given different chapters exploring the world and fighting zombies. Part 1 of the game, released in 2013, has 12 chapters, while part 2 has 11. The TV series adaptation by HBO will have a total of 9 episodes.
The slow progression of episodes in the series and the game give us time to know the characters and the worldbuilding. The gradual introduction of characters in each episode and the slow progression of characters for our protagonists. All this is important for the audience to connect with the characters and the series.
When a script has so much potential with characters and plot devices, it is hard to crunch it. Movies are expected to finish in 3hrs at max. This is a concise time to crunch such prominent stories and many characters. Some plot lines are expected to be skipped to finish the movie on time. Taking away critical aspects of the story will make it messy and the characters flawed. This takes away from the main attraction of The Last of Us.
The opening sequences have done such a great job of adding anxiety and dread to The Last of Us, I’d go as far to say they’re my favorite part of the show so far. Bite-size scenes that turn your stomach. I hope each episode begins with these terrifyingly effective cold opens pic.twitter.com/dvvl8GEsLK
— Sam T. (@sam_traxel) January 23, 2023
To combat this problem, more than one movie has to be made. Then again, the budget would increase, and the huge gap in release dates would eventually make the audience lose interest. The Resident Evil Series (2002-2016) is an excellent example of a good video game-to-movie adaptation. The Lara Croft Tomb Raider series is a perfect example of a rushed adaptation that failed miserably.
Why a series is so much better
In recent years more comic book and video game adaptations are gaining more praise. Most of them, like The Boys, are recreating the stories while still staying true to the source materials. Making adaptations into a series seems to work better for the showrunners. It requires less budget and gives more time for the viewers to develop a relationship with the characters. A sequel would also give more time for the plot to be more detailed and keep the fans engaged. The storyline can be longer, making it more realistic than a movie.
A series will also mean the characters have more time to grow and room to adapt and change to the circumstances. It also creates opportunities to improve the subplots and give the side characters more value. A series will also involve the audience guessing what will happen in the next episode or season, giving more control to the creators. Nowadays, people prefer to relax after work while watching a short episode of a series rather than a 2.5hr movie.
at this point, I think I’d rather have a 10 episode disney plus series about ben and rey than a movie. 10 hours vs 2.5? not even a question.
— lia is rewatching tvd (@dxrklinasdyad) January 31, 2023
