‘Walking Dead’ well worth watching

After hearing some increasingly raving reviews of the new zombie drama, “The Walking Dead,” it seemed only fitting to get the Blu-ray of the first season. (As if I’d watch all that gore in anything less than glorious HD.) And, to my gleeful delight, those accolades were beyond deserved. AMC’s “The Walking Dead” is a sterling example of storytelling and zombies done right. By combining an intriguing plot and gallons upon gallons of blood and guts, “Walking Dead” leaves you hanging by the edge of your seat, waiting for the next thrilling situation to occur.

“The Walking Dead,” based on the comic book series of the same name by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Tony Moore, follows the story of a group of travelers struggling to survive in a world gone zombie. It’s the veritable apocalyptic nightmare: Zombies, flesh rotting and limbs moving in jerky motions, ran rampant, the reason why unknown at the moment. If you’re so much as scratch, you succumb to a life-ending fever, only to revive as a Walker. The series’ protagonist, Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), a sheriff’s deputy from a small Georgia town, finds himself in the middle of this mess after being hospitalized from a gun shot wound. With no idea of what’s going on, Rick sets out on a search for his family. Along the way, Rick runs into other survivors and groups with them. But safety does not equal numbers in this new world, and as their situation grows more dangerous, the group’s desperate attempt to survive pushes them to the brink of insanity. With everything against them, including other humans who are playing by a new set of rules, this ragtag group faces an uphill climb unlike any other.

Asides from the amazing plot, the look and feel of “Walking Dead” will have you feeling immersed in a world of rotting corpses running wild. The make-up and artistic direction are on cinematic par with Oscar-worthy films. The acting is detailed and places a heavy onus on drama and in-depth character relationships. The series premiered Oct. 31, 2010, on AMC. On Nov. 8, after broadcasting only two episodes, “Walking Dead” was renewed for a second season, to consist of 13 episodes, which is scheduled to begin airing Oct. 31, 2011.

Normally, zombie shows aren’t for everyone. But I’d recommend this series to just about anyone who had any interest in either zombies or a good story. You won’t be disappointed. I would suggest a light meal beforehand, though.

Five stars out of five, and a critic’s pick.

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