The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

:

Season 1
Season #: 3, 2, 1
User Score
3.0

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 2938 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 711 out of 2938
  2. Mixed: 141 out of 2938
  3. Negative: 2,086 out of 2938

Review this tv show

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling

User Reviews

view
per page
  1. Saladin1971
    Sep 4, 2022
    10
    Thoroughly enjoyed the first two episodes! Really looking forward to seeing the rest! A beautiful visual treat and fabulous to watch.
  2. JenInVA
    Sep 4, 2022
    10
    This isn't everyone's cup of tea, but the review bombing is ridiculous. If you want fidelity to Tolkien, read Tolkien. I am a LoTR fan, but not a Tolkien fanatic, and I loved the first two episodes. Not like I love the PJ movies, but that is a ridiculously high standard - they're some of my favorite movies. If you like the LoTR books, like the movies, and can handle character and plotThis isn't everyone's cup of tea, but the review bombing is ridiculous. If you want fidelity to Tolkien, read Tolkien. I am a LoTR fan, but not a Tolkien fanatic, and I loved the first two episodes. Not like I love the PJ movies, but that is a ridiculously high standard - they're some of my favorite movies. If you like the LoTR books, like the movies, and can handle character and plot changes from the original material, you'll likely enjoy the series.… Expand
  3. Therealcriticof
    Sep 4, 2022
    9
    I think this show has tremendous potential. I'd say there is so much uncalled-for criticism especially over politicised. This is a great adaptation of the works of Tolkien and I can't wait for it to continue.
  4. abhayjamwal
    Sep 4, 2022
    10
    Middle earth is back and beautifully done. It shows where the $$$ were spent. Listening to soundtrack on repeat. Specially the dwarves
  5. scottweberpdx
    Sep 5, 2022
    10
    I've only seen the first 2 episodes, obviously, but, so far, it's very good and has a lot of promise. The production values are as good, if not better, than most movies. The cinematography, score, costumes...all of it is top-notch and pretty stunning. The cast is solid, although it's too early to tell how much range anyone has yet. Same with the story...lots of threads, so too early toI've only seen the first 2 episodes, obviously, but, so far, it's very good and has a lot of promise. The production values are as good, if not better, than most movies. The cinematography, score, costumes...all of it is top-notch and pretty stunning. The cast is solid, although it's too early to tell how much range anyone has yet. Same with the story...lots of threads, so too early to judge. Overall, it pretty much nails the tone and atmosphere of Middle Earth...offering some beautiful moments...and laying the foundation for what is to come. The dedication of the cast and crew is pretty evident...I think a lot of them know this is the chance of a lifetime, and much like Peter Jackson & his crew, they are laying it all out there...with their hearts on their sleeves, so to speak.… Expand
  6. Joneslee
    Sep 5, 2022
    10
    The show is epic! The dwarfs are very impressive! After watching two episodes, I feel really happy that we got this Lord of the Rings series. I understand that some fans may hate this way of changing many things from the books. I have seen lotr movies and Hobbit trilogy, but I have never read books. But for me, the show is absolutely good, and put a simile on my face. Besides, this programThe show is epic! The dwarfs are very impressive! After watching two episodes, I feel really happy that we got this Lord of the Rings series. I understand that some fans may hate this way of changing many things from the books. I have seen lotr movies and Hobbit trilogy, but I have never read books. But for me, the show is absolutely good, and put a simile on my face. Besides, this program is family-friendly, and it does not contain too many cruel scenes, so I can enjoy it with my family!… Expand
  7. Leodafonseca
    Sep 5, 2022
    9
    Promising. First episodes had a lot of ground to cover, expect things to pick up as season goes.
  8. Benton-Rutherfo
    Sep 20, 2022
    8
    I read all the negative reviews and was a little disheartened, but I mustered up the courage and watched it anyway. I loved every bit of it. Been a Tolkien fan since i was 12 and I know the lore in my sleep. I know that there is no way you can adapt thousands of years into a show without changing timelines and adding characters. Needless to say, I am a big fan of what they did so far. II read all the negative reviews and was a little disheartened, but I mustered up the courage and watched it anyway. I loved every bit of it. Been a Tolkien fan since i was 12 and I know the lore in my sleep. I know that there is no way you can adapt thousands of years into a show without changing timelines and adding characters. Needless to say, I am a big fan of what they did so far. I look forward to the next 5 seasons.… Expand
  9. bettercallmaul
    Sep 20, 2022
    10
    Ok, I don't get the hate this show is getting. Watched the first episode with my family and everyone loved it. This included people who loved the LoTR movies. The cinematography and set pieces are beautiful and the cast was fine. If you're a fan of fantasy, just go in and enjoy the world building and the story development. It'll take time to introduce new characters. Americans just wantOk, I don't get the hate this show is getting. Watched the first episode with my family and everyone loved it. This included people who loved the LoTR movies. The cinematography and set pieces are beautiful and the cast was fine. If you're a fan of fantasy, just go in and enjoy the world building and the story development. It'll take time to introduce new characters. Americans just want every episode to have action or to end in some cliffhanger. For a fantasy series to explore as much as possible of its world, it needs time. You can't expect the action of a 3hr movie in a 8+ hr series (or possibly more, if there are more seasons to come). I've watched foreign series from Asia that are 40 hour+ long and it takes a while for the story to develop and there may be a lot of miscellaneous mini-adventures or non-essential story lines mixed in, but in the end, things feel epic. I have no worries about this series at its current rate. Looking forwards to more of it!… Expand
  10. Doylekatiekuhic
    Sep 20, 2022
    10
    Great production values, good performances, generally, good writing. Didn't really care for using the dwarves as comic relief, it jars with the tone of the rest of the story. this isn't The Hobbit and the worst of Jackson's work should be left behind.
  11. Savarunl
    Sep 12, 2022
    9
    Very enjoyable show so far. It looks amazing and some of the cast are really good (especially nori). Actually one of the best series in years.
  12. Pcrharpist959
    Sep 3, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Astounded at how all the negative reviewers critique the work based on their political leanings and hardly for the merit of the show itself. We all have our own interpretation of the Tolkien canon, and Peter Jackson's did not touch it, and neither will this show but I loved the first two episodes and I can't wait to carry on watching it.… Expand
  13. ptf19
    Sep 3, 2022
    10
    Amazing! I liked the character, the setting, the landscapes were great, the transition of the map to move from one area to another. Galadriel is cool, Elrond is incredible, Durin and Disa were too cool, the Harfoots, especially Nori was amazing. I can’t wait for more episodes and seasons
  14. NickGreen90125
    Sep 5, 2022
    10
    Imagine, for a moment, that you'd never heard of JRR Tolkien, or Peter Jackson, or The Lord of the Rings. You just heard there's a great new fantasy series coming out that you have to watch. You switch on - are you disappointed?

    From the opening shots, you can see that these creators mean business. The designs, effects and cinematography are the best you've ever seen in a TV show, in    Imagine, for a moment, that you'd never heard of JRR Tolkien, or Peter Jackson, or The Lord of the Rings. You just heard there's a great new fantasy series coming out that you have to watch. You switch on - are you disappointed?

    From the opening shots, you can see that these creators mean business. The designs, effects and cinematography are the best you've ever seen in a TV show, in fact, better than in many movies. You meet characters, many of them - there isn't much time to get to know them, but the scripts and actors do a great job at nailing them down very efficiently, so by the end of the first hour they are growing clear in your head: the driven, obsessive, implacable Galadriel, the shrewd politician Elrond, the world-weary King Gil-Galad, the stolid soldier Arondir and his forbidden mortal crush Bronwyn, and her truculent, secretive son Theo. You meet the ramshackle, chaotic Harfoots and the feisty Nori who is always pushing boundaries and getting into scrapes; it feels like more than an hour must have passed, because already these people are starting to feel like old friends.

    Is it Tolkien? Yes and no. Yes in a good way - it's a new story grown in the same soil as the original books, based on Tolkien's barely-sketched synopsis of the Second Age of Middle Earth. And also No - but again, in a good way. It recognises that a story whose genesis began nearly a hundred years ago can be raised, developed and adapted to modern storytelling styles and methods. It doesn't have to stagnate, and be merely a literary relic - something that was written once, long ago. The Rings of Power returns Middle Earth to how it should be: a living, breathing, ever-growing and evolving land of myth.

    If you're a fan, watch it. If you've never got into Middle Earth before, still watch it. This might finally be your way in.    … Expand
  15. Ultio
    Sep 5, 2022
    10
    Looks amazing, great story and really well cast. Is it 100% accurate to Tolkien, no. Do I care, no.
  16. Kingpuff
    Sep 6, 2022
    8
    I'm actually looking forward to the next episode of RoP. The dialogue could be better and the pacing needs to be tightened up. But otherwise is enjoyable.
  17. remedeeh
    Sep 10, 2022
    9
    Good entertainment, visually stunning. The cast is great - exactly the way I'd want it to be for an entertainment product in 2022.
  18. Kpl_
    Sep 12, 2022
    9
    Barely barely "woke". I wouldn't even have noticed if not for the review bombs. Production and effects are top notch. Acting and script is decent enough. Storyline is a bit slow thus far, but I expect good things based on the interesting foundation already set. I'm thoroughly engrossed.
  19. Hassan_77
    Sep 6, 2022
    9
    This is a great series i really enjoyed the first 2 episodes and cant wait for the rest of it.
  20. Ballamiki
    Sep 3, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Very cool series.
    Theoden said:
    "What can men do against such reckless hate?"    … Expand
  21. Heto
    Sep 3, 2022
    8
    It is a visually beautiful show, it is in process and you have to give time, to see how the story unfolds. But it is completely enjoyable. It should not be considered a literal adaptation of Tolkien's work, but rather, a work inspired by it. The error was marketing to clarify too late the restrictions on use of the material.
  22. Anthemik
    Sep 3, 2022
    9
    As a fan of the books, who poured over the appendices and Silmarillion to squeeze as much as possible from my favorite world, I’m not bothered by inconsistencies and changes made in service to the show. What the show runners have managed to do is capture the spirit of Tolkien. The careful world building and slow unfolding of each character’s thread shows how much respect this show has forAs a fan of the books, who poured over the appendices and Silmarillion to squeeze as much as possible from my favorite world, I’m not bothered by inconsistencies and changes made in service to the show. What the show runners have managed to do is capture the spirit of Tolkien. The careful world building and slow unfolding of each character’s thread shows how much respect this show has for its audience. It’s clear the show runners approached the material with the same devotion to beauty and love as their protagonists, who are charismatic and very well acted. The folks panning this show for straying from the source material clearly love the canon and want to defend it. But consider how miraculous this show appears in an environment of formulaic, adrenalized big budget shows that sacrifice moral imagination for intensity, or Amazon’s own Wheel of Time series, which has deconstructed its source material to the point of being almost unrecognizable. This is a rare show, precious! I hope the fandom eventually embraces this show; we need more fantasy like this.… Expand
  23. Eam0nc
    Sep 4, 2022
    10
    I've looked forward to this show for a long time. It is everything I wanted it to be. I can't wait to watch the rest of the season
  24. Mrburch
    Sep 4, 2022
    10
    I love it so far! The scenery is beautiful. Can't wait to see the story progress!
  25. loyis7
    Sep 4, 2022
    10
    An absolute masterpiece...!!!!!!
    I enjoyed every minute of those 2 first episodes.
    Those 1 billion $ they gave, are money well spend.
    Bravo !!!
  26. Frodo9Fingers
    Sep 4, 2022
    10
    Music and graphics are stunning! Love the diverse casting! It is reminiscent of the lore we know and love.
  27. luvtheweasleys
    Sep 4, 2022
    8
    Visually, this show is stunning! The story is interesting and the dwarves are fabulous! I understand this is a TV show and I am just thankful to be given another chance to visit Middle Earth.The acting isn't fabulous, but it is enjoyable. I am hoping there is a Season 2 with all the haters out there.
  28. danrlaine
    Sep 5, 2022
    10
    Amazing comeback to Middle-earth. The second era being shown for the first time is something to behold. Story already known, but more in-depth. Spectacular visuals, top-notch performances. And an incredible soundtrack mark the triumphant return to the world created by J.R.R. Tolkien.
  29. Camlambelot
    Sep 7, 2022
    8
    A Family-appropriate, visually impressive, fun TV show. They took a lot of creative liberties and used a diverse cast, but that doesn't make it a bad show. It has comedy, romance, drama and action, and for the most part has done a good job of world-building. I really don't understand all the hate and comments about it being "woke". There are so many more "woke" TV shows out there to pickA Family-appropriate, visually impressive, fun TV show. They took a lot of creative liberties and used a diverse cast, but that doesn't make it a bad show. It has comedy, romance, drama and action, and for the most part has done a good job of world-building. I really don't understand all the hate and comments about it being "woke". There are so many more "woke" TV shows out there to pick from. As for me and my house, we will continue to enjoy the ride.

    The visuals are beautiful, the prosthetics and detail on the armors and weapons are impressive and it's entertaining. I have read Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings books over 5 times and I have seen Jackson's trilogy over 40 times and I can honestly say that I am liking this show for what it is. What did you really expect? Nothing is perfect nor ever will be.    … Expand
  30. s33c33
    Sep 4, 2022
    7
    Regular viewer here. Not a Tolkien reader. It wasn't so bad but I guess if I were a reader I'd stick to the books if this was far from actual lore. I can also see the "woke" content but it's not as bad as other series. Maybe they should have branded this as something else if actual fans are this triggered.
Page:

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Most Discussed TV Season of 2022

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 40 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 40
  3. Negative: 0 out of 40
  1. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: Jo Livingstone
    Sep 16, 2022
    80
    Adar’s début drips with signifiers. ... When Adar informs Arondir in Episode 4 that he has been told many lies, some that “run so deep even the rocks and roads now believe them,” it is still a thrill. Tolkien succeeded in creating a mythic world, one that has now grown vast enough through acts of typological repetition and imitation to conquer television, too.
    Read full review
  2. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Chris Barsanti
    Sep 16, 2022
    63
    With war brewing and the forging of the rings seemingly still far off, the first half of The Rings of Power’s first season constitutes little more than stage-setting for the struggle to come. Given the lack of quests and central commanding figures, it often makes for less-than-gripping drama. However, given that there are four more seasons already planned, and potentially dozens of new characters to be introduced, the slow and throat-clearing build is possibly a good sign.
    Read full review
  3. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Sep 9, 2022
    90
    The Rings of Power is a reminder of what drew many of us to epic fantasy in the first place: wonder. ... This series set in an ancient realm displays one dazzling and painterly landscape after another. Power also doesn't skimp on action. [12 - 25 Sep 2022, p.10]
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »