New series “Fallout” on Amazon: Unfortunately, more morals

Violence and crazy characters: The series “Fallout” is about a dark world after nuclear war. It rarely does justice to the game template.

Walton Goggins in Fallout Photo: Prime Video/ap

What remains after nuclear war? What remains if the nations of the world decide to press the red button? When diplomacy no longer brings dialogue and mushroom clouds form on the horizon?

In the series “Fallout,” the atomic clouds light up the horizon right at the beginning before darkening the world. People take refuge in “vaults”, underground shelters in which they build their own society. Lucy (Ella Purnell) knows nothing other than the blue and yellow overalls from her Vault 33 and everyday life with painted skies and artificial meadows.

She is part of a collective whose primary goal is self-preservation and the repopulation of the earth. This is also why everyone must have a benefit for society. Lucy is supposed to reproduce for the good of humanity. The facade of everyday life is maintained until her father is kidnapped from the Vault and she has to find him on her own. For the first time in her life and 219 years after the nuclear war, she sees the upper world. Or rather, the Wasteland that remains.

In addition to Lucy, “Fallout” also follows Black Maximus (Aaron Moten), who grew up on the surface and has a dream. He wants to join the Brotherhood of Steel, a cross between US Army and soldiers in oversized silver armor with enormous firepower.

Despite – or perhaps because of – the atomic bombs, militarism survived with the Brotherhood. For the people in armor it has become a religion. They believe in strength, toughness, weapons and hierarchy, brand new recruits and hold sacred rites.

Predictable characters

The Brotherhood of Steel will use any means necessary to save what is left of the world. Machiavellianism seems indelible even after the nuclear strike. But Maximus quickly realizes that the brotherhood does not meet his expectations and splits off. He also moves through the shattered Wasteland, meets crazy characters, and finally Lucy.

The series is based on the video game series of the same name, which has cult status. Since 1997, six main games and several spin-offs have been released. “Fallout 3” from 2008 and “Fallout: New Vegas” from 2010 are particularly considered milestones.

The Amazon series captures the atmosphere credibly. Despite her qualities, she cannot match the game. This is also because it has an advantage due to the interactive narrative. Players can explore the hostile world at their own pace. When you find a skeleton in the middle of nowhere with a gun and a suicide note, it tells a story of its own. In games, moral boundaries quickly disappear.

There you can join fascist or democratic groups and resolve conflicts diplomatically or with a shooting iron. The series cannot portray such tensions. Instead, the audience follows characters who often act predictably.

If you ignore the mediocre special effects, what remains is an entertaining series that is based on the game but does not offer its depth.