‘Fallout: Season Two’ 4K review: Deathclaws, Elvis ghouls and New Vegas mayhem
by Joseph Szadkowski · The Washington TimesStreaming service Amazon Prime Video’s popular live-action homage to Bethesda Game Studios’ post-apocalyptic role-playing universe returned for a new season last year as amusing, violent and authentic as its debut.
All eight episodes are now available on a three 4K disc set in Fallout: Season Two (Alliance Entertainment, not rated, 2.39:1 aspect ratio, 422 minutes, $43.99).
The story reunites viewers with Vault escapee Lucy MacLean (Ella Purnell) and bounty hunting abomination The Ghoul (Walton Goggins) as they team up and travel across a scorched wasteland of the United States in search of family members.
Lucy’s former partner is also on an adventure with devotee Maximus (Aaron Moten), returning to the Brotherhood of Steel as it prepares for a revolution against the Commonwealth.
And, what has become of Lucy’s father, Hank (Kyle MacLachlan), former Vault-Tec employee and overseer of Vault 33?
Now back at a deserted headquarters in New Vegas and continuing experiments in mind control, he is hoping to impress robotics genius Robert Edwin House, if he can find him while avoiding the Enclave.
Fans will fall deeply in love with the second season partly due to the abundance of references and subplots tied to their favorite video-gaming universe.
Just a few include the introduction of the Legion (obsessed with the Roman empire) and Kings (zombified Elvis impersonators) factions; appearances by the monstrous reptilian Deathclaws and roadside attraction Dinky the T-Rex; and an avalanche of Easter eggs, such as the Whac-a-Commie arcade game and a visit to a Sunset Sarsaparilla factory.
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And, was that an homage to the game’s traditional supply create that Lucy was forging through at a New California Republic (NCR) camp? Pretty cool.
Also worth noting are some pop culture legend additions to the cast, including Macaulay Culkin (“Home Alone”) as a high-ranking member of Caesar’s Legion, Kumail Nanjiani (“Obi-Wan Kenobi”) and Ron Perlman (“Hellboy”) as a super mutant.
4K in action: All the retro-futuristic panoramas of the Wasteland and extreme action are gloriously viewed in the sharpest and most sugar-coated color afforded in the ultrahigh definition format that even makes the bloody firefights, fiery mass destruction and exploding of human heads look ripped from the gaming universe.
For nostalgic music fans, crank the Dolby Atmos sound mix, and enjoy the equally impressive soundtrack diving into 1940s and 1950s classics and rarities such as The Andrews Sisters’ “Rum and Coca-Cola,” Elton Britt’s “Uranium Fever” and Johnny Cash’s “Luther Played The Boogie.”
Best extras: Not exactly a bounty of goodies, but viewers will first appreciate an optional commentary track on the final episode, “The Strip,” with Mr. MacLachlan and Mr. Moten.
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The focused but slightly sporadic conversation has the actors touch on character motivations and growth, production effects, acting with mice and the Fallout universe while complimenting camera shots, costuming and dialogue.
Next, 22 minutes of interviews with key cast members, including Mr. Goggins and Ms. Purnell, can be enjoyed through a “Fake Talk Show,” hosted by the obnoxious but slightly amusing Snake Oil Salesman (Jon Daly) and set in the wasteland.
The next 8 minutes on LED screen quality RobCo Industries commercials include segments on Pipboy wrist computer software upgrades and introducing robots such as Mr. Handy, the Protectron (called FISTO) and Securitrons.
Finally, and by far the strangest and most addictive, is The Ghoul and his dog sitting down to stare at a fire (burning mainly a fat man’s arm) while listening to a 90-minute holiday radio program with Mr. New Vegas (Wayne Newton), presented like a fireplace screen saver.
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Joseph Szadkowski
jszadkowski@washingtontimes.com
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