Leaner, meaner, & dramatically more electrifying than TWD, Fear-TWD paints the zombie apocalypse as it unfolds – with massive entertainment-value, CGI budget-fix, and wild TV riot-scenes, despite a weak cast/poor-characterization. 7.3/10.

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Plot Synopsis: A sign of the apocalypse has begun. Reports of a rapidly changing world for unknown reasons underscore this gritty drama, a prequel to AMC’s uber-popular “Walking Dead.” The story is told through the lens of high school guidance counsellor Madison Clark. The widowed mother is raising two children single-handedly and maintains a relationship with English teacher Travis Manawa, her apocalyptic partner. The challenge of blending their families is exacerbated by unforeseen chaos, & necessary survival-of-the-fittest takes hold.

*Possible Spoilers Ahead*

Review [In-Progress]

Leaner, meaner, & dramatically more electrifying than its predecessor from its opening church-set horror scene, Fear-TWD delves right into its predecessor’s only major exclusion by painting the zombie apocalypse as it unfolds in the suburbs of L.A. Entertainment-value is thus boosted by a 10x factor, along with a massive CGI budget-fix of the subpar walker appearance of TWD and visceral, pulse-rattling riot/action scenes amongst the best on TV today. The problem is.. the characterization, screenwriting, performances, and, most of all: casting – weak and uninspired efforts in all outside its young Johnny Depp-ish Frank Dillan-lead and water-down of the original’s intellectual-ambition. Despite these flaws keeping it below TWD, Fear is one of the rare spinoffs that adds a completely new flavor & even often challenges its original.

Pros: great opening scene with a phenomenal and idiosyncratic young Johnny Depp-reminiscent lead, horror is dialed up 10x worth from even opening second to the screech against an all-black theme /// zombies look 10x better than the original series – one of my biggest problems with it, they looked almost laughable or like you could easily tell someone put make-up on a normal person. here CGI-upped and more attention to detail in carnage, splatter, eye-whiteness, and anatomical distortion /// perfect backdrop in the seemingly-normal suburbs and public school system of the sunset-hazy L.A. area ////

some of the best action and most thrilling riot/apocalyptic scenes on television /// one of the themes it does tackle is alcoholism/drug-abuse – and it does at least somewhat evoke a look like it’s trying there /// some of the wildest riot scenes ever put to TV – impossible not to be on the edge of your seat entertained for most of the series ///

balances guerilla warfare and riots in the streets of downtown with neighborhood suburbia horror with empty schools – a masterclass of horror location scouting

Cons: Cast is absolutely AWFUL – characterization and scripting even worse in the antithesis of the original’s strongest point. mom and dad some of the weakest and most unconvincing actors I’ve ever witnessed and cannot imagine how they got such primetime roles they’re wildly undeserving of. nick and other family not much better, as well as WAY too many characters in this hackneyed and overcrowded (unnecessarily-contrived) dysfunctional family and step-father arc. kids the best of the bunch with a young johnny depp looking and fine acting lead and sister who is decently-acted but a mary sue thhat hs to be reminded every 5 minutes how perfect and superior she is! ////

not as intellectually-ambitious or sociologically-analytic as the original naturally by premise focusing more on horror/action. Original TWD analyzes society and sociology while balancing several philosophical ideas and group-fractures at the same time; here there’s a soul-fire missing

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Conclusion

Leaner, meaner, & dramatically more electrifying than its predecessor from its opening church-set horror scene, Fear-TWD delves right into its predecessor’s only major exclusion by painting the zombie apocalypse as it unfolds in the suburbs of L.A. Entertainment-value is thus boosted by a 10x factor, along with a massive CGI budget-fix of the subpar walker appearance of TWD and visceral, pulse-rattling riot/action scenes amongst the best on TV today. The problem is.. the characterization, screenwriting, performances, and, most of all: casting – weak and uninspired efforts in all outside its young Johnny Depp-ish Frank Dillan-lead and water-down of the original’s intellectual-ambition. Despite these flaws keeping it below TWD, Fear is one of the rare spinoffs that adds a completely new flavor & even often challenges its original.

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