We’re halfway through April, and it’s been a busy month, media-wise. After starting with last weekend’s Monkey Man and The First Omen, this week’s graced us with Prime Video’s Fallout and A24’s Civil War, both of which are big for their own individual reasons.
Of the two, Civil War almost needs no introduction: directed by Men and Ex Machina’s Alex Garland, the film is set in an alternate (-ish?) future where a pair of seccessionist movements are fighting across the US ahead of a potential attack on the White House. That’s a pretty big deal, inciting a team of journalists—made up of Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, and Stephen McKinley Henderson—to travel cross-country to the three-term President before said attack happens. After high praise from SXSW in March, it’s gotten solid marks: most critics have found it to be engaging and full of great performances, while others think it’s all talk with not much to say.
And speaking of war, we’ve got Fallout, which is also set in an alternate future after the world’s nuked itself to hell. Based on Bethesda and Interplay’s post-apocalyptic RPG series, the show’s received similarly glowing praise of its own. Critics and Fallout players have deemed it largely faithful to the games and engaging in its own way that makes it a great adaptation. Moreover, it’s getting more eyes on the Fallout games, with some entries (like the MMO Fallout 76) being made free for Prime members. Considering it’ll be…a while before the actual Fallout 5 exists, it’s a good thing this show is here (and likely getting a second season) to tide you over.
Let us know what you thought of either that you’ve seen this weekend in the comments below.
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