Among all the PlayStation franchises, I never thought that one of the first to be adapted for television by Hollywood would be Twisted Metal. Not that I don’t remember with some nostalgia the good times I spent on Sony’s original console with its destructive races, but this was not a saga that particularly stood out for its story, and it was not a IP that had sold tens of millions of copies in its day. However, the industry always has other plans for us and a year ago a post-apocalyptic action comedy premiered in the US, which has now landed in Spain.
Yes, we had to wait a long time to see it. Being a Peacock original, the show was in a bit of a rights limbo, but a week ago it started airing on the small screen through AXN, a cable TV channel, allowing us to discover why so many people bought into its proposal in the US to the point of earning a renewal for a second season. And honestly, after devouring three episodes, I can say that I understand why. Twisted Metal is a hilarious show that cleverly harnesses the spirit of Sony’s exclusive to create a very unserious story, where the heavily armed cars and deranged clowns take center stage.
Halfway between Mad Max and Zombieland
Watching the trailer that accompanies the news, or some of its images, you may initially think that this is a generic Mad Max. I can’t blame you, and in fact, there are dusty and thrilling moments on the road that could easily remind us of George Miller’s saga. And if we add the presence of grotesque and strange characters like Sweet Tooth, the comparison becomes even more apparent. The dynamic between some of its “inhabitants”, likewise, may even remind you of Fallout (Prime Video), but I think I would have to refer to another production to give you an idea of what to expect, that is Zombieland.
Twisted Metal is an irreverent story with plenty of explosive action on the road where its protagonist shines
Because yes, Twisted Metal is very cheeky in its action, but above all in the way its characters interact with each other, leading to situations as hilarious as they are violent, and much of this has to do with its lead actor. Anthony Mackie was never one of my favorite Avengers, but I think he shines here. He feels at home in a story rich in irreverent humor, with witty lines that he delivers naturally and at just the right moments. But what is the series about exactly? In Twisted Metal, we follow Anthony Mackie as John Doe, a loud-mouthed outlaw as we have already told you, who is presented with a great opportunity to leave the post-apocalyptic wasteland and live in the walled cities where the rich took refuge after a major collapse about which we don’t know much more. His journey will not be easy, having to cross the US almost from coast to coast, from San Francisco to Chicago, facing marauders, clowns driving ice cream trucks, cannibals, and some slightly frustrated and over-the-top supposed law enforcement agents.
Anthony Mackie shines, but he is also very well accompanied.
A leisurely watch of no more than 25 minutes per episode
Twisted Metal is a pleasant surprise, a fairly light series to have a laugh and enjoy a few wild and explosive action scenes that take advantage of a very simple premise, the world has gone to hell and a “milkman” (or deliveryman) must make his way to fulfill a dream. And that’s where the problem lies, in the background plot given to Mackie’s mission (known as John Doe in the series), perhaps overly cliché. You see the betrayal coming, how evil the rich folks in the cities are, but at the end of each episode I always want more. It also helps that each episode barely exceeds 25 minutes in length, a rarity in this type of production that allows the creators to better balance the moments of action, humor, and character development. Remember, you can currently watch it on AXN (every Tuesday starting at 10:00 PM).
In 3DJuegos | All movies and TV series based on video games with release dates or in production for 2024 and beyond
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