Overall Thoughts: Over-the-top and slow-paced elements aside, spin-off is well-produced and fairly cinematic.
How do you revive a classic franchise? It seems like every studio is trying to find a brand to revive, especially since Disney somewhat successfully started the trend with The Mandalorian for Star Wars. For Amazon Prime, they were able to find a way to secure the rights to J.R.R. Tolkein's Lord of the Rings series. And their effort made headlines for spending nearly a half-billion on the first season.
Well, the effort certainly seems to have paid off. As Rings of Power does manage to succeed at feeling cinematic. It's visual presentation is nothing short of fantastic. Visual effects are just as impressive if not more advanced than the Peter Jackson films. The costumes, make-up and production design are all impressive. And there's a few inventive (I say that by also saying it takes creative liberties) moments here and there.
As for the actors, they are fine but most of them don't really elevate their performances to anything memorable. Out of all of them, Owain Arthur stands out as the dwarf prince Durin. He does a great job portraying a tough character with a tender heart. Sophia Nomvete is also a solid screen presence as Durin's wife Disa. Robert Aramayo and Morfydd Clark are serviceable but unspectacular as Elrond and Galadriel.
Well, the effort certainly seems to have paid off. As Rings of Power does manage to succeed at feeling cinematic. It's visual presentation is nothing short of fantastic. Visual effects are just as impressive if not more advanced than the Peter Jackson films. The costumes, make-up and production design are all impressive. And there's a few inventive (I say that by also saying it takes creative liberties) moments here and there.
As for the actors, they are fine but most of them don't really elevate their performances to anything memorable. Out of all of them, Owain Arthur stands out as the dwarf prince Durin. He does a great job portraying a tough character with a tender heart. Sophia Nomvete is also a solid screen presence as Durin's wife Disa. Robert Aramayo and Morfydd Clark are serviceable but unspectacular as Elrond and Galadriel.
There's definitely a lot of characters to keep up with here, and that leads to a pretty slow-paced series for most of the ride. Episodes 4-6 in particular feel a little like a slog to get through. There are four stories in play here. Out of all of them, a love story between Arondir and Bronwyn and their encounters with orcs turns out to be the least interesting. I found myself waiting for the next segment to come. The Harfoots and the giant storyline is charming and fun, while Durin and Elrond's sideplot is well-written and has strong character development.
Thankfully, the storyline becomes more coherent and less busy as we head into the final 2 episodes to go. This allows things to wrap in a more solidly-paced and engaging fashion. The last episode in particular succeeds in pulling off a "whodunit" storyline with a few successful twists. I was left excited for what was to come next (a second season is in the works).
Being Lord of the Rings, there's a lot of war here of course. And a few of these scenes go a little over the top, with a few gratuitous moments that weren't necessarily needed. That being said, the cinematography and stuntwork in these scenes are well-executed. Maybe less of the "shock factor" would have helped here. Meanwhile, the theme music (by returning composer Howard Shore) is memorable and nicely gives a wink to the movies.
In the end, Rings of Power gets off to a pretty solid start. It especially ends on an exciting note, with a few surprises. It's slow at times, and might not need so many characters to keep up with. However, as a streaming show, it might be the most cinematic and epic one I've seen yet. A cool spin-off that feels very much akin to Jackson's movies.
In the end, Rings of Power gets off to a pretty solid start. It especially ends on an exciting note, with a few surprises. It's slow at times, and might not need so many characters to keep up with. However, as a streaming show, it might be the most cinematic and epic one I've seen yet. A cool spin-off that feels very much akin to Jackson's movies.
Grade: B
