'The Walking Dead' - Full of Life!

The Walking Dead TV promo

'The Walking Dead' is alive and surviving quite well, zombies and all. The majority of the reviewers have given this show high marks as you can see in the rating score below. Of course, as with all shows, movies and books, there will be a number of people who are neutral, have become tired of the show or simply hate it. But most love it...

Details:
TV Series: 2010 – current, airs Sundays on AMC, Rated TV-14, 45 min - Drama | Horror | Thriller.

8.7 out of a 10 rating from 94,280 voters at IMDB.com

Super brief synopsis:

Police officer Rick Grimes leads a group of survivors in a world overrun by zombies.

Stars: Andrew Lincoln, Jon Bernthal and Sarah Wayne Callies (she was on 'Prison Break').

'Walking Dead' Trailer
'Walking Dead' Official Site

Question: Is this based on a book?

Answer: Yes, it is based on the graphic novel of the same name, written by Robert Kirkman. However it is not an exact representation of the comic, there are characters in the comic that are not in the show, and vice-versa.

Question: So then, is it true to the graphic novels?

Answer: The first episode is a faithful interpretation of the first issue of the comic book. The main differences are 1) the opening with the little girl zombie 2) and extended scene before Rick gets shot 3) the show contains more background on Morgan and Duane and 4) the comic does not show us the fate of Lori until the next issue. The remaining episodes of the first season diverge fairly widely in terms of plot. The general idea of the camp outside of Atlanta is the same and most of the characters in the camp are in the comic. The Dixon brothers, the extended zombie siege of the department store, and the Vatos are all invented for the show. The TV show adds several characters. It also makes some changes to existing characters.

The following reviews REALLY caught my attention (at www.imdb.com) and sum up the opinion of the majority of viewers:

>Walking Dead is Amazing!!!!, 11 February 2012

Author:abkm47 from United States
This show is so entertaining. Starting out season one with a Sheriff waking up in a hospital to a world that has completely changed. The story gets better and better as the you get to know the characters. The show has terror and keeps you on the edge of your seat, you are yelling at the screen just like in a horror movie, the difference is the actors are amazing, especially, in my opinion Norman Reedus as Daryl. There is just enough gore and the make up artists are amazing.

The show takes you on an emotional roller coaster, you are scared, happy, sad, anxious, I love this show and can 't Wait for what is going to happen next. I loved how they are developing the characters and am hoping for a love interest for Daryl, but maybe that will ruin his manliness.

I am not a huge zombie fan but this show has me completely hooked!

>Walkin' The Walk, 20 February 2012

Author:ween-3
Full disclosure: I'm not a big fan of zombies (at least not since "Time Of The Season" and "She's Not There" were hits, anyway), I never read the graphic novels this show is based on, and I wouldn't have given you a plugged nickel for my chances of watching this show past the 15-minute mark of the pilot episode.

But here I am...glued to this puppy midway into the 2nd season. Why? Because good acting goes a long way, kids. (Particularly with the addition---however ultimately tenuous--of Scott Wilson to the cast.) Act as if ye have real drama, and real drama shall be given unto you.

Given the premise here (essentially "Night of the Living Dead" in series format) this show could have easily pegged the "Complete Drivel" meter right out of the gate. Instead, the producers and the cast treat the material as more than comic book fodder for tweens. This is the kind of show that could actually give "post-apocalyptic" a good name again.

Like "24", "Walking Dead" is an E-ticket ride once you're strapped in. Lots of fun. And this make-up department can really dial up the "ick" factor and scare the dookie outa yet when they want. So turn down the lights and enjoy one of the better genre exercises of this type that you're likely to see.