Update: Having now seen the whole series I have to say it just gets better and better. If you have an ironic and dark sense of humour and can watch an edge of your seat serious dystopian drama that doesn't take itself seriously at all the right moments then you'll love it (you may even join in with the dancing!)
--- original review 4 episodes in ---
C'mon! A zombie inducing pandemic that has its origins in an alt-London, covered up by a totalitarian murder inducing British government, where the only escape appears to be an illegal motor race across the country? Really?
Yep and now we've all agreed it's bonkers - sit back and enjoy the ride. I'm only up to the fourth episode and it's pretty obvious it's marmite - most are either going to love it or hate it. And I absolutely love it.
It's ace in a laugh out loud, gruesome, zombie killing, cameo splattering, human scumbag type of way. The real monsters are, as always, us. Greedy, empathetic, abusive, cowardly - throw in the clichés, they all fit. And put those clichés into several turbo charged machines (plus an old VW camper, an ambulance, a tow truck etc.) and it becomes a dystopian Wacky Races meets Mad Max (with some special effects that could fit into either) rated 18 (R) for a tinsy winsy bit of violence and afters, which made me laugh, wince, jump and become invested in some of the oddballs and the possible fate of humanunkind - and most definitely the dog!
I'm showing my age but the music and low-key effects just add to it for me. We're taking bets (forfeits really - who makes the next cup of tea etc.) on who survives each week. I don't think I can convince anybody who hates it to change their minds but for those with a certain 'joie de mort', who feel we're already hurtling towards the abyss... you might just enjoy the ride.
Go team Awesome!
