kiyana
This review may contain spoilers
Had a Promising Start
This series started in such an exciting, groundbreaking way. If you ever ask me about my favorite episodes in a drama ever, the first few episodes of this show would probably be a runner up. At the start, the concepts were promising, the characters were interesting, and the cinematography was amazing. The cafeteria scene was freaking epic. Now, THIS is a freaking zombie show! I thought to myself. I can't wait to see more thrilling scenes with zombies and action and tension! Well sadly. The show was exciting until it wasn't.
Characters: 3/5
As the series went on I could not bring myself to root for anyone, especially the main leads. They were just very stale. Even Su-hyeok, who I found very charming at the start, eventually became boring to watch too. I think Gwi-nam was the most memorable character. He may not have been one of the, 'good guys' but he was DEFINITELY interesting to watch. All these characters, who we know nothing about like their motivations or fears , a guy with seemingly no desire other than to kill WAS fun to watch. Dae-soo, the archery girl, and the delinquent were likeable, but also lack depth like the others. The detective showed some promise, but he eventually fades into the background. Characters are also introduced despite changing nothing about the story. Like why was the vlogger even there...
Story: 1/5
Now, my main complaint, the story. It was puzzling, that in a show centered around HIGHSCHOOLERS in a ZOMBIE virus the emotional intensity that was portrayed cannot be felt at all. Even if the characters cried, argued, or fought, I felt so detached as a viewer that I just didn't care. Deaths were also very anticlimactic and had no impact. Some were even stupid. Clearly the dad did NOT need to fire a second light for the zombies to go away!! They set up this whole epic rescue mission of the dad just for him to die by locking himself in a court with zombies. Like why!! Anyways, the big chunk of teenage melodrama should also be discussed. I'm not the type to hate those types of stories, but if you don't care about the people involved, it becomes tasking to watch. Arguably the most boring part of the show.
Like alot of things, it's not all bad. I did still enjoy some parts of the story. Nam-ra's arc was nice and I liked how she developed. The scene of their campfire at the rooftop with Dae-soo singing was heartwarming. There were fun parts but the excitement eventually dies down a lot, and any tension that might have been previously felt in the story was eventually gone and depleting in the last few episodes. I have no energy to talk about the ending.
Acting: 5/5
I don't have much to say about the acting. Everyone did great! I'm not familiar with the main cast, but I think that the actors did really well with the script they were given. The zombie extras did great in being zombies. Notably, I liked Yoo In Soo's performance. I'm looking out for his future roles soon!
Cinematography: 5/5
Again, nothing much to say. As I expected from Netflix, this show definitely looks amazing. I like how the camera angles were shot, especially in the cafeteria scene (yes, i really like that scene) and also the library scene. Generally I just think the cinematography is great. Sidenote, I love how they shot this in a 16:9 ratio too. It fits the theme well.
So, the cinematography is great, the cast did amazingly, but the biggest downside is the writing was not well done at all. Anyways, I don't despise this show, and deep inside I really wish it still succeeds. The actors and the crew clearly put a lot of hardwork into this series, and I'd hate for it to go to waste.
Overall, "All of Us Are Dead" is a show that could have been something much, much bigger. I feel more sad than disappointed, because this COULD have been a great show. I'm left pondering with a lot of what-ifs. What if this happened, what if they did this instead of that and a lot of other useless thoughts. I really wish this was a show I could have enjoyed.
Rewatch value is also probably a 2/5, because I'd definitely still watch the first 3 episodes again (only).
Characters: 3/5
As the series went on I could not bring myself to root for anyone, especially the main leads. They were just very stale. Even Su-hyeok, who I found very charming at the start, eventually became boring to watch too. I think Gwi-nam was the most memorable character. He may not have been one of the, 'good guys' but he was DEFINITELY interesting to watch. All these characters, who we know nothing about like their motivations or fears , a guy with seemingly no desire other than to kill WAS fun to watch. Dae-soo, the archery girl, and the delinquent were likeable, but also lack depth like the others. The detective showed some promise, but he eventually fades into the background. Characters are also introduced despite changing nothing about the story. Like why was the vlogger even there...
Story: 1/5
Now, my main complaint, the story. It was puzzling, that in a show centered around HIGHSCHOOLERS in a ZOMBIE virus the emotional intensity that was portrayed cannot be felt at all. Even if the characters cried, argued, or fought, I felt so detached as a viewer that I just didn't care. Deaths were also very anticlimactic and had no impact. Some were even stupid. Clearly the dad did NOT need to fire a second light for the zombies to go away!! They set up this whole epic rescue mission of the dad just for him to die by locking himself in a court with zombies. Like why!! Anyways, the big chunk of teenage melodrama should also be discussed. I'm not the type to hate those types of stories, but if you don't care about the people involved, it becomes tasking to watch. Arguably the most boring part of the show.
Like alot of things, it's not all bad. I did still enjoy some parts of the story. Nam-ra's arc was nice and I liked how she developed. The scene of their campfire at the rooftop with Dae-soo singing was heartwarming. There were fun parts but the excitement eventually dies down a lot, and any tension that might have been previously felt in the story was eventually gone and depleting in the last few episodes. I have no energy to talk about the ending.
Acting: 5/5
I don't have much to say about the acting. Everyone did great! I'm not familiar with the main cast, but I think that the actors did really well with the script they were given. The zombie extras did great in being zombies. Notably, I liked Yoo In Soo's performance. I'm looking out for his future roles soon!
Cinematography: 5/5
Again, nothing much to say. As I expected from Netflix, this show definitely looks amazing. I like how the camera angles were shot, especially in the cafeteria scene (yes, i really like that scene) and also the library scene. Generally I just think the cinematography is great. Sidenote, I love how they shot this in a 16:9 ratio too. It fits the theme well.
So, the cinematography is great, the cast did amazingly, but the biggest downside is the writing was not well done at all. Anyways, I don't despise this show, and deep inside I really wish it still succeeds. The actors and the crew clearly put a lot of hardwork into this series, and I'd hate for it to go to waste.
Overall, "All of Us Are Dead" is a show that could have been something much, much bigger. I feel more sad than disappointed, because this COULD have been a great show. I'm left pondering with a lot of what-ifs. What if this happened, what if they did this instead of that and a lot of other useless thoughts. I really wish this was a show I could have enjoyed.
Rewatch value is also probably a 2/5, because I'd definitely still watch the first 3 episodes again (only).
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