OMG, I can't wait for this freaking show. It's the adaptation of the popular comic book.

It premiers tonight on AMC. If you don't know about it, here's a quick synopsis, and review. It sounds like the best production quality ever by a horror show:

"These days it seems that all the best stories have moved to television. Shows like "Breaking Bad", "Mad Men", "Lost" and "Battlestar Galactica" have kicked the sh*t out of everything at the multiplexes for several reasons: As Hollywood grows more bland and commercial, all the great filmmakers have run to the small screen, where they’re given more time and creative freedom to tell stories. Hell, even Martin Scorsese has a show now!

When it was announced that Frank Darabont and Gale Anne Hurd would tackle an adaptation of "The Walking Dead" for AMC, hopes couldn’t get any higher. Robert Kirkman’s graphic novels have joined the ranks of Romero and Max Brooks as the very best in zombie fiction, and a series on TV’s best and ballsiest network seemed like the perfect home. It was almost too good to be true. So how does the final product measure up? If the first two episodes are any indication, this series is already a home run! "The Walking Dead" isn’t just a killer show, it’s the best horror offering we’ve seen all year, period.

Both the graphic novels and the series belong to the George A. Romero school of thought and could easily take place in the same universe. It all starts in the middle of Georgia, where officer Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) takes a bullet during an intense police stand-off. But poor Rick faces something worse than death: He wakes up in the hospital after an unknown period to discover that the world around him has been destroyed by a zombie plague (and before another moron screams 28 Days Later, remember that Day of the Triffids did it first. Moving on...). The first act of this epic survival tale finds Rick on the road through the wastelands as he tries to find his family, while encountering fellow survivors and battling through the undead hordes that have claimed Atlanta.

As it stands, the extended first episode (written and directed by Darabont) is arguably the single greatest television pilot since "Twin Peaks", not to mention the best zombie "movie” in almost a decade. With sweeping and stylish direction, Darabont captures the oppressive atmosphere of an honest-to-God apocalypse and, for the first time in a long time, makes zombies scary again. Kirkman’s world explodes in breathtaking detail thanks to lavish cinematography, KNB’s make-up effects and a beautifully understated score by Bear McCreary. The scope feels as large as a big-budget Hollywood film, and if any expense was spared, it certainly doesn’t show it. And all you cynical horror fans who screamed about television censorship, fear not; this show has serious bite! In fact, the first two episodes alone are gorier than Romero’s last three Dead films combined.

AMC's The Walking Dead (click for larger image)But the show has soul, too. Amid the splatter there lurks the real emotion and tough moral decisions that define the very best of horror. This is in no small part due to the rock solid cast led by Andrew Lincoln, who perfectly embodies Rick Grimes. He’s edgy and intense, and series readers will be thrilled knowing what dark paths this character will eventually take. Particularly good are Rick’s early scenes with best friend and rival, Shane, played by the equally great Jon Bernthal, who fleshes out and elevates his character far beyond the comic pages. And while these first two episodes are very Rick-centric, first impressions of other series regulars (Lori, Dale, Carl, etc.) are generally strong.

The series takes several detours from the source material but stays true to the characters and overall arc of the book. Without diving into spoilers, Darabont throws in a lot of extra characters, plotlines and set pieces into the first two episodes, but nothing feels superfluous. These additions only serve to expand the universe and help pacing while giving die-hard fans something new to chew on. There are even several welcome moments of gruesome black humor, which is extremely welcome given the overall humorless nature of the books.

Hats off to Darabont, Hurd, Kirkman and AMC for creating another winner! "The Walking Dead" is a milestone in television and, in many ways, the first A-level horror series. It’s classy, epic and old school in the best ways and makes you realize why you originally fell in love with this genre.

Score: 5 out of 5 "
http://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/walking-dead-tv









And the Trailer:

You Tube

I saw the preair one. As a huge "walking dead" fanboy I don't feel slighted one bit... and it's gorey as fuck. It's a miracle you can send the level of nastiness they have on tv...

It will be interesting to see how they handle future incidents that were in the comic that was truly shocking. If you don't know what to expect. My god are you in for a ride! (and a little bit of you will die each time)

First ep was amazing. Not read the comic, not sure if I want too, as I want to leave myself spoiler free :P

This is my Trueblood.

Yeah, this is basically the only thing I've looked forward too the whole week! Don't know anything about it though, saw the commercials and thought it might be pretty sweet. Definitely tuning in tonight.

Can't wait for it, but I've got two issues, everywhere refers to it as being based on a graphic novel, they act like comic is a dirty word, and the fan opening beats the crap out of the official one

You Tube

that was a killer open. they should of went with that one.

I saw the pilot, but am planning on watching the first ep tonight! very excited. It's crazy what makes it to tv now..

Cant wait, cant wait, cant wait, such a fan of "The Walking Dead" and Kirmans other books.

Really can't wait for this one. Seems like it may be awesome. Only downside is that I don't get AMC here in HD. Oh well.

It seems it already leaked if anyone can't wait, and doesn't mind poor quality video.

Don't have AMC but will watch online tommorow. Thank god for streaming episodes. Down the road will definitely pick up a blu-ray season dvd (please do it.)

Freaking incredible.

Yeah it was pretty good. Roommate and I watched it while eating the leftover halloween candy.

I watched it. Pretty good but not totally accurate but does add more realism that the graphic novel had.

Not out here. AMC is blocked. Hello Bitorrent.

Haven't read the comics, but WOW!

Now THAT's a TV show!

Wow was that good.

That's horror done right! It had me squirming in my seat at times. I love how the characters are already being developer too. Looks like I'm going to have to read this series.

Very impressed with this first episode even though I think I kind of ruined the surprise by reading so many reviews. I kind of knew what was going to happen for the most part... but still, great acting, writing, and make up.

I really like how the zombies aren't just shambling, slow and stupid. They can try to open doors, crawl under things to get at you, run, seem to have vague memories compelling them to act (the little girl picking up the teddy, and the mother trying to get in the house), and even climb to an extent. Now that's terrifying.

This first season is only 6 episodes long, but they already confirmed that they green lit a second season before this first episode even aired. That's how good the reviews have been.

I have never actually heard of this series or the graphic novels.

Zombie animals?

Originally Posted by jimmypopali

I have never actually heard of this series or the graphic novels.

Zombie animals?

Don't know, but animal picknick, yes.

The Best!

I have never read the graphic novel or even heard about this show until I saw them advertising it at Comic-Con. I defiantly was not disappointed! Very awesome.

Yup, was definitely awesome! The only thing that sucks now is that I got to wait till next sunday to see the new episode =(

Yep, definitely my new favorite show. I was a little skeptical about Lincoln in the lead role at first, but I came around by the end of the episode.

Never read the comics (but I'm going to), and thought it was superbly done and will definitely be following this.

cant wait to watch this

Loved the comic. So I was excited for this. And it was awesome!