Black Summer

I just finished the fourth episode of a series which contains eight. The second half will definitely be without me. I have a strong appetite for zombie movies, with an apocalyptic atmosphere and a mandatory survival instinct, with or without a collaborative mindset. Therefore, I approached this series with an open mind and an ultra-positive a priori. I was probably excessively enthusiastic.

Pros: this series is relatively well filmed with an ominous music and a neat photography that helps to create a scary atmosphere.

Cons: I have the impression that only the worst humans survive in this series. Either they suddenly suffer from Alzheimer's disease (the most disturbing example is with Rose who is a mother who forgets very quickly her 10-year-old daughter, while finding her should be the top priority), either they are as perverse as sadistic (like the grotesque band of little brats, in the school), either they are deeply moronic (a few examples among so many: in the chapter Alone of the 4th episode, a congenital idiot arrives in a library, settles comfortably in a sofa and starts reading a book, whereas it is not really the priority; in the chapter Dog of the 4th episode, the same dumb guy leisurely wanders in a grocery where all the shelves are oddly tidy and stocked, with a closeup on him and the top of his caddy, ... and guess what!... we only see a pack of beer and some Shreddies; in all the episodes I saw, a sexy woman stubbornly persists to speak Korean to everyone as if she did not realize that she is not in Korea; ...). In a general way, because of a crap script, each scene rhymes with mediocrity, unless this series is actually a comedy, but allow me to have some doubts about it. Personally, I can't identify myself to any of these pathetic protagonists. If you succeed, ...well... let's say it's worrying.

Survival horror? Yes, yes and yes!!! This one? No. In the ultra-quantitative cinematographic world in which we live, we have the choice. Thus, there's a plethora of zombie movies: 28 días después (2002), Train to Busan (2016), The Walking Dead (2010), Guerra mundial Z (2013), Amanecer de los muertos (2004), Soy leyenda (2007), La noche de los muertos vivientes (1968), Bienvenidos a Zombieland (2009), Zombies Party (Una noche... de muerte) (2004), Re-Animator (1985), Braindead: tu madre se ha comido a mi perro (1992), [REC] (2007), Zombis nazis (2009), One cut of the dead (2017), ... So, you may avoid wasting time with this series: skip it without remorse.

It is completly different from ZNation, even if it is in the same universe and has the same creator and director, It is a horror thriller well made. It has the tension, suspense and almost no drama crap. Imagine you surviving a apocalyptic event, what would you do??? The show is told by the characters perspective, and it happens almost like real time, it is a little slow paced in the beggining but the action scenes are vey well filmed. The actors are not known to the general public, but do a terrific job, showing emotions like fear, anger and terror. The script is simple, you dont get to know a lot of the characters, but you are not supposed to. Peaple in a situation like this woldnt talk that much. I HAVE to say Fear the Walking dead first season, should have been more like this show. It is survivalism, selfishness what is shown here and it is the truth. The lead character is a little like Madison of FTWD... See this show, and forgive its low budget because there is good directing, and this season deserves at least 3 seasons, for us to know the surviving characters. I Give a 8 out 10 for the effort

I am not sure why this is rated lower than I would expect. For those who got sick of too much drama of Walking Dead and cannot bear Z Nation either. Right amount of suspense and action.

I was quite impressed with this show.

It's centered around the early days of a zombie apocalypse, and those who have to live through it. It adopts an almost documentary style that I found to be particularly effective.

I really enjoy the fact that the characters are always on the run and that no place is safe. The zombie menace is omnipresent and the zombies are actually, you know, deadly and aggressive. Even a lone zombie can be a real handful. It almost feels like a war movie. The characters are clearly shell shocked as the world they used to know collapses around them. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I enjoy the fact that the dialog is minimal, as it better represents the horror these people are living through. In other zombie shows, they'd be drinking lemonade at a farmhouse whilst spending 3/4 of the season endlessly talking about their feelings.

Now granted there is some "cheese", some questionable decision making by the characters, but you can't have a zombie show w/o some of it.

I sincerely hope this continues. It's better than Z-Nation, and miles better than TWD (which I used to love). I have no way of knowing, but appears there's some review "brigading" going on. I'm guessing it's the devoted fans of TWD.

Like many reviewers before stated - the production is good, the acting too, and it got some really suspenseful moments, but, and this is almost pretty standard these days, the behavior of the people is sometimes too stupid to believe (for example standing in the middle of a road and screaming for help in the middle of nowhere will not help your matter, I take any bet), and last but not least, to cite Lord of the Flies is an overused and boring approach these days, just saying. Anyway, Black Summer is solid and sometimes even good and beats easy everything TWD and FTWD delivered over the past few years/seasons. If you (still) like to watch zombies (like I do), Black Summer will be a really pleasant surprise and experience.