'Boring!' Fear The Walking Dead kicks off at a zombie pace as it fails to impress critics with plodding first episode

Published: 11:44 EST, 24 August 2015 | Updated: 12:41 EST, 24 August 2015

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Zombies are traditionally known for their slow plodding gait.

But the first episode of a show about the living dead should be a bit more swift footed when it comes to the plot.

The premiere of Fear The Walking Dead on Sunday night kicked off with a whimper instead of a bang as the 90 minute pilot episode veered away from the horror genre.

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Zombie pacing: The premiere of Fear The Walking Dead on Sunday night kicked off with a whimper instead of a bang as the 90 minute pilot episode veered away from the horror genre

Its predecessor The Walking Dead has scored high with fans (raking in over 16 million viewers for its premiere last season) and critics by mixing its carnage with a helping of drama.

The new spinoff AMC series, however, appears to be focusing on the drama and steering clear of the gore.

The change in direction is understandable, considering that Fear The Walking Dead takes place in the days before the zombie apocalypse truly takes hold of the world, wiping out humanity.

Different priorities: The new spinoff AMC series, however, appears to be focusing on the drama and steering clear of the gore

The first episode centres on the terror and suspense of its main characters witnessing the 'virus' spread, slowly taking over the world.

The Hollywood Reporter's Tim Goodman notes that 'while not actually boring' the series is 'certainly less magnetic than the original'.

While Margaret Lyons (Vulture) cites the power and effectiveness of the premiere for The Walking Dead in comparison to the melodrama of its spinoff.

Before the storm: The change in direction is understandable, considering that Fear The Walking Dead takes place in the days before the zombie apocalypse truly takes hold of the world, wiping out humanity

'[U]nfortunately, despite strong performances,' Lyons writes, 'it's hard to care what happens to anyone, or to listen to the dialogue and not pray for some kind of bear attack.'

The title of her review says it all, 'Fear the Banality of Fear the Walking Dead'.

And it was not just critics as one viewer, under the handle cimerians, wrote: 'The acting was atrocious for the most part but enjoyed some scenes from Curtis and Dillane. Way too many characters introduced and none of them are initially appealing. None you care about. Of course this is the beginning and one show does not determine the entire series but so far its at an almost tragic start. I'll leave it at that for now.'

Not to worry: Die hard fans will certainly keep the viewership ratings high and the show could even build its own following independent of the original

However, not all reviews were negative as The Denver Post's Joanne Ostrow believes that the new series may appeal to a larger audience than The Walking Dead as its focus is less on gore and more on relationships.

'Even if zombies aren’t your cup of TV,' she writes, 'there is plenty to appreciate about the construction of “Fear the Walking Dead.'

And Alan Sepinwall of HitFix claims that the new series explores territory that is 'a much richer vein to mine' as you are introduced to characters before the apocalypse and thereby get to see them 'transform right along with the world'.

The pace of the living dead: Zombies are not known for being sprinters

The Metacritic statistics show that for the pilot episode of Fear The Walking Dead the rating is at 65% compared to The Walking Dead ranking in among critics at 85%.

While Rotten Tomatoes scores Fear at 72% compared to the 92% rating of the first season of The Walking Dead - and an average over five seasons of 91% - it's a bit abysmal.

However, die hard fans will certainly keep the viewership ratings high and the show could even build its own following independent of the original.