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

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  1. Fatmandu
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    It's just another dull boring generic fantasy that may as well not have any association with Tolkien.
  2. Ayzen8
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Merda demais, simplesmente não tenho o que dizer além disso, é uma vergonha para Tolkien e seu legado!… Expand
  3. Klaudyah
    Sep 4, 2022
    1
    Sou admiradora da obra do Tolkien e infelizmente essa série não respeitou a obra e a essência. Não basta ter um visual atrativo sem envolvimento dos personagens e a origem da história.
  4. Mjando24
    Sep 4, 2022
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. No this isn’t racism, or bigotry or any other stuff being thrown at negative reviews. Putting Lore issues aside (it’s clear why they have taken this route with Galdrieeeeel) the CGI is very good in parts, musical score could be the best thing to come from this. Beyond that - the script…..dear god the script and dialogue. They literally had a child write this for them. Morfyyd Clark up to episode two - dull dull dull. Celeborn anyone?? Or the lining up some live interest for the warrior princess. Lastly what have they done to Elrond???… Expand
  5. Swalpo
    Sep 4, 2022
    2
    A very poor and invented script with a poor development of the characters, the visual production is the only good thing that can be seen
  6. leviathanarg
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    Watched ep. 1. Seeing the beautiful visuals I only think, they could have done a great Tolkien universe tv show.
    Instead they decided to go the racist, misandrist way.
    Shame on this. I cannot recommend it. Super woke
  7. goindpn
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    Sam: Do you remember mister Frodo, when entertainment designed as protohistories of Europe didn't have to have African and Asian ancestry peoples? Do you remember when stories designed to appeal to and inspire men men didn't have to have female leads doing all the fighting and being the only brave ones?

    Frodo: No, Sam. I don't remember when Hollywood wasn't dominated by far left    Sam: Do you remember mister Frodo, when entertainment designed as protohistories of Europe didn't have to have African and Asian ancestry peoples? Do you remember when stories designed to appeal to and inspire men men didn't have to have female leads doing all the fighting and being the only brave ones?

    Frodo: No, Sam. I don't remember when Hollywood wasn't dominated by far left activists using the story as a vehicle for them to push their liberal pieties on the rest of us. I don't remember a time when every plot point wasn't viewed as an opportunity for the writers and producers to virtue signal to one another, rather than tell an interesting story or transport us briefly from the pain of living.

    This show has good special effects and cinematography. Everything else is a disaster.

    A question for Hollywood: Why does Wakanda (a fantasy construct of an African country) get to represent a fully black culture, but Asgard (a fantasy construct of an ancient Nordic country) or LOTR (which Tolkien specifically stated was a protohistory of Europe) has to be racially diverse?

    Tell me, by what mechanism would a little village in an era before cars and planes have people with skin adapted to both the climates of Ireland and the African savannah? Dragons and trolls are more believable than asking us to accept this absurdity.    … Expand
  8. thesithempire
    Sep 4, 2022
    10
    this show is beautiful, gorgeously-crafted, lavishly produced, well-written, and faithful in the main to the themes and concepts of J.R.R. Tolkien and the overview he provided of the Second Age in the Appendices of The Lord of the Rings.

    As someone who has actually read The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, and the History of Middle-earth, I can state with unbiased clarity that there is    this show is beautiful, gorgeously-crafted, lavishly produced, well-written, and faithful in the main to the themes and concepts of J.R.R. Tolkien and the overview he provided of the Second Age in the Appendices of The Lord of the Rings.

    As someone who has actually read The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, and the History of Middle-earth, I can state with unbiased clarity that there is no perversion of Tolkien going on here, nor is there any political agenda.    … Expand
  9. Steyraus
    Sep 4, 2022
    1
    We are so lucky to have you got the Lord of the Rings trilogy when we did. Before woke politics right a time when CGI was pretty good. The Lord of the Rings trilogy is one of the best trilogies ever and this new TV show is one of the worst TV shows ever. To call it boring is understatement to call it stupid is an understatement this show is so dry and full of the dumb actions and dumbWe are so lucky to have you got the Lord of the Rings trilogy when we did. Before woke politics right a time when CGI was pretty good. The Lord of the Rings trilogy is one of the best trilogies ever and this new TV show is one of the worst TV shows ever. To call it boring is understatement to call it stupid is an understatement this show is so dry and full of the dumb actions and dumb writing it's hard to fathom they paid so much money for it.… Expand
  10. matunaga
    Sep 4, 2022
    3
    I might just be too deep into the lore to ignore how the showrunners butchered it. Apart from that, it‘s lazy storytelling, sub par acting, really weird dialogues trying hard to simulate depth and a good measure of boredom. Costumes/Armour are not impressive over all. At least the dwarfs got some cgi love, hence 3 out of 10.
    Why did they even think inventing lore that‘s totally against    I might just be too deep into the lore to ignore how the showrunners butchered it. Apart from that, it‘s lazy storytelling, sub par acting, really weird dialogues trying hard to simulate depth and a good measure of boredom. Costumes/Armour are not impressive over all. At least the dwarfs got some cgi love, hence 3 out of 10.
    Why did they even think inventing lore that‘s totally against what JRRT already wrote could ever be a good idea? Why even try to tell a story without the appropriate rights to about everything they would have needed to get it right? Did they really believe woke messaging would pull in enough normies to create a whole new fanbase? Fascinating.    … Expand
  11. Lm79
    Sep 4, 2022
    1
    "Stolen Valor" is a term applied to the phenomenon of people falsely claiming military awards or medals they did not earn, service they did not perform, Prisoner of War experiences that never happened, and other tales of military actions that exist only in their minds. To buy rights to a book for the sole purpose of adapting to screen, and then not including one thing from the book in the"Stolen Valor" is a term applied to the phenomenon of people falsely claiming military awards or medals they did not earn, service they did not perform, Prisoner of War experiences that never happened, and other tales of military actions that exist only in their minds. To buy rights to a book for the sole purpose of adapting to screen, and then not including one thing from the book in the screen adaption is not only Stolen Valor, but gaslighting.
    Not one thing from the appendix Rings of Power made it to the films. Not one. Ungoliant killing the trees, kinslaying, flight of the Noldor, Crossing of the ice death of Morgoth, Galadriel leading her kingdom with Celeborn, Elrond finally being born and marring her daughter... nothing. Literally nothing that is in the book made it to screen.    … Expand
  12. Asgalurch
    Sep 4, 2022
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Wanted to give it a 2/10 then I remembered the "rock don't float because looks down and ship focus on light" writing..

    If you came for an adaptation of the professors work you should look otherwise. Probably in the books the writers forgot to read.

    The show looks stunning... mostly. Some times even a billion dollars cannot hide CGI and actors looking like they are a PNG in front of another PNG. Overall though the visuals are okay. I liked Telperion and Laurelin for the 2 seconds they were in the show... followed by me nearly fainting because there was no mention of Ungoliant.... but hey what do I know... just a fan of another franchise that is about to be ruined by a billion dollar corp that thinks they could do better than someone with actual knowledge on worldbuilding, ethnics and philosophy....

    Nearly none of the characters Tolkien wrote about are where they are supposed to be/are who they are supposed to be. In contrast of being a wise eldar princess that wants a kingdom of her own to rule in middle earth, Galadriel is "ThE WaRrIoR oF ThE WaStes" and a commander => this is not lore accurate... the writers must have gone back to the wrong books... Also she should look way older than Elrond and not same or even younger than him... She is his mother in law ffs...
    Elrond is not a politician... He actually was a commander of Gil-Galads armies, unlike Galadriel. And yes he was a diplomat too but this is definetely not Elrond Half-Elven who has also eldar blood in his veins and is most definetely one of the lordiest elven lords out there... He is the son of Earendil ffs... The elves love and adore him... but nah he is not invited to the council cause he is a mudblood...

    Next time don't call it Lord of the Rings... in contrast to other fandoms we actually act as one because J.R.R Tolkiens work is bigger than just Peter Jacksons movies... It is awhole Mythos and not something that should be tampered with... The original writings will still be remembered in a hundred years from now .... This show.. not so much    … Expand
  13. 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.
  14. JayKayLetsGo
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    If you love Tolkien and LotR, you should stay away from Rings of Power. While the series clumsily cannibalizes elements from Tolkien's universe, it cannot hide the fact that large parts of the plot are fictitious and not only non-canon, but also have absolutely nothing to do with Tolkien's original intention. Die-hard fans know: Tolkien had built the universe of Middle-earth as aIf you love Tolkien and LotR, you should stay away from Rings of Power. While the series clumsily cannibalizes elements from Tolkien's universe, it cannot hide the fact that large parts of the plot are fictitious and not only non-canon, but also have absolutely nothing to do with Tolkien's original intention. Die-hard fans know: Tolkien had built the universe of Middle-earth as a consistent, purely Anglo-Saxon mythology (in contrast to the then established Greco-Roman mythology). Accordingly, one finds a large number of cross-references to Anglo-Saxon, Germanic and Norse mythology in LotR. The cultures and people of Middle-earth also represent members of a fantasy culture, but they unmistakably originate from the continental European community of legends and culture. That was also the secret of the success of LotR, a community that, analogous to the Germanic-Anglo-Saxon heroic epic (Beowulf, Siegfried), fights a seemingly invincible threat with credible cultures, myths and people. So let's take a quick look at the most prominent characters that were invented in this series and aggressively placed in marketing: Arondir - black Legolas Disa - black dwarf princess (without beard) Elanor Brandyfoot - halfling woman Poppy Proudfellow - halfling woman Marigold Brandyfoot - black halfling woman and matriarch Bronwyn - Iranian woman Sadoc Burrows - black hobbit Theo - Asian man The canon characters continue this trend, which of course leads to even greater conflicts with Tolkien's lore: Míriel, who is the mother of Feanor, who is described in the book as "bright-eyed", is - surprise - black, as well as Tar-Miriel, who is even explicitly described in the book as "fairer than silver" and "with bright eyes". You CAN do something like this. I have absolutely nothing against fair representation of minorities in contemporary or historical films. But only if it can also be reconciled with the plot and the logic of the respective universe - in a Transformers film, Avengers or anywhere else. But if a film based on Anglo-Saxon-Germanic culture suddenly presents a population structure like that of a modern US college, that leads to a break in immersion, to put it mildly. But then please don't pretend that this cast came about by chance and not the product of conscious, ideological-political motivation.… Expand
  15. VicFerrari
    Sep 4, 2022
    6
    Mega-budget eye candy that fails to connect intellectually or emotionally. Snoozeville.
  16. JonathanSidwell
    Sep 4, 2022
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I can't decide whether it's meant for kids or adults; the writing is childish, the action scenes are violent, the characters don't make sense and it all just seems to be a massive "f u" to Tolkien fans with its pervasive yet shallow "interpretation" of the books.… Expand
  17. Lt_Maverick
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    I will not cancel my Prime Account like some others have, and like I did after Netflix butchered “The Witcher.” However, I am gravely disappointed in how poorly this was done. Very sad. There’s nothing remotely Tolkien about this. It will be interesting to see how much viewership drops in the next few “episodes.”
  18. KnightPower
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    Sadoc Burrows, Arondir, and princess Disa,
    These characters were not created by Tolkien but by Amazon for the needs of wokes.
    These are characters that don't exist in the book and serve no purpose.
    Arondir's story is just lame and cheesy.
    Galadriel's story is wrong and inconsistent.
  19. Dluerssen
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Galadriel is over the top Karen in command of a company she needs not. She single handily took down a snow troll then her company abandoned her. So she returned with them? What ever she a super elf nothing can stop her. Such an over the top character poorly acted nothing but resting Karen face the whole time. What a disappointment.… Expand
  20. Everynameistakn
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    My previous score and review were deleted even tho there was no insults just my opinion on the show, so I'll just say f*ck you
  21. xareth
    Sep 4, 2022
    4
    I am not disappointed. After seeing trailers and actors saying what we should expect I was expecting the show to be below average. Also, I was expecting the same from House of the Dragon, however GoT sequel (after two episodes) was better than I anticipated. It is not the case of Amazon interpretation of Tolkien.

    I am a big fan of Tolkien's work and Peter's Jackson lotr movies. However,    I am not disappointed. After seeing trailers and actors saying what we should expect I was expecting the show to be below average. Also, I was expecting the same from House of the Dragon, however GoT sequel (after two episodes) was better than I anticipated. It is not the case of Amazon interpretation of Tolkien.

    I am a big fan of Tolkien's work and Peter's Jackson lotr movies. However, in case of Rings of power, it was a chore to see this world butchered. However, I decided to watch and rate first two episodes as regular fantasy..

    Positives:
    - actors are matched ok.
    - some views are nice looking
    - clothing is ok. Some armor look average, but it is not something really poor
    - music often is ok
    - race swap: i was worrying that it will be a problem with black elf but actor is fitting well there

    Negatives:
    - dialogues are awful. Each scene is a conflict between characters. They argue about anything..
    - Plot is not believable, however maybe in later episodes will be better.
    - Most of the scenes feel like fillers.
    - CGI.. everywhere CGI.
    - and when they want to make orc not cgi it looks not so great. It looks like human that is wearing orc makeup..
    - fight scenes.. Galadriel fighting troll.. it looks just stupid.. There is no impact when she attacks troll. Compare it to fight in Moria vs troll. You could feel that troll is dangerous enemy. That he has thick skin. You need spear to penetrate it, not slice and dice it with a knife..

    Probably I could write more.. But it is just bland below average show. It is not terrible. You can watch it and have some fun. However, if we take into consideration it costs $750, 000,000 and it was created based on Tolkien's work.. It is disappointing that they did not manage to give us great show.    … Expand
  22. RonnyPeterson
    Sep 4, 2022
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Like finding a 10-dollar bill in the lavatory.

    Dialogue, script, some casting- and costume choices, story lines and cutting makes it so. There is no story to hook the viewers interest on.. Why should I follow Galadriels vengeance, when she so keen on to leave stray fellow soldiers behind? And that she can defeat threats well enough on her own? Or argue with her friend Elrond? Or see her jump to her death in the middle of the ocean? The feminist message writing shines through (Too much on the nose), like an infested wound and I keep thinking: "Why is this in Tolkien-fantasy?".

    It is "Star Wars 8 Last Jedi" all over again. People saying stuff - it sounds cool, but makes no sense. People doing cool stuff and the visuals looks grand... but it makes no sense.

    And let me be first to point out that the Harfoot-Hobbits depiction seem to be a mix of Ewoks and European gypsies (Wide-waist skirts, moving- not wrong whit that, says Borat). I liked the scene when they ate berries and being a cheap copy of the Shire hobbits. A 2 minute glimmer of a much greater past... And I didn't hate the dwarf scenes ether. Disa is the only happy-go-charming character in this saga, 2ep. in, and the only one I can relate to, ether thou I'm white and she's black.

    The relationship of Bronwyn and Arondil does not make me intrigued. Their mix race/ethnicity story is also on the nose and the obvious modern-racism still makes me wonder: "why is this in my Tolkien-fantasy??". And Theo (not Theon) looks quite like a young Anakin Skywalker: half curious, half orphan, half disappointed... Like me.. is he gonna turn EVIL?.. But (again) the scary bits and the orc looks grand.

    So watching this show as a fan, was like diving into a outhouse finding a 10-dollar bill: "I discover at least something that I didn't expected". The rest is constipated confused figures pissing dark blood. I've got a greater understanding now why some Muslims get angry when infidels desecrates their religion and try to portray Mohamed.To compare Lord of the Ring with this series is to compare Taj Mahal to a Neanderthals dung house.

    But it's not a complete Serbian Film in the Willow Room, Your Highness... so while the dumpster fire burns, I'll keep watching.    … Expand
  23. KeirAndo
    Sep 4, 2022
    5
    Two episodes in and it's really not as "woke" as I was worried, but it's just badly written and acted.
    It looks beautiful,but the writing is just really over-egged and some of the acting is just totally overplayed. Poor Galadriel has been done a total disservice.

    And dwarf women are supposed to have beards and look like men!
  24. desmondvdkruk
    Sep 4, 2022
    9
    Great visuals, interesting start. I dont care if it follows lore or not, or that there are like five non white characters. I want to enjoy a serie and its story for an evening. And so far i do.
  25. lisamimc
    Sep 4, 2022
    10
    Entertaining and engrossing!!! Intriguing characters and breathtaking visuals.
  26. 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
  27. Natanloewen
    Sep 4, 2022
    5
    It's a slow burning, epic montage of
    majestic middle earth scenery. We are lucky to have this as fans. Though it's best to expect "fanfic" with lore references, it’s still thoroughly enjoyable thus far.
    Personally I want to see way more time showing life in elven Lindon and Eregion, and much less about the invented mortal Tir-Harad and Harfoot stories at this point - and less arbitrary    It's a slow burning, epic montage of
    majestic middle earth scenery. We are lucky to have this as fans. Though it's best to expect "fanfic" with lore references, it’s still thoroughly enjoyable thus far.
    Personally I want to see way more time showing life in elven Lindon and Eregion, and much less about the invented mortal Tir-Harad and Harfoot stories at this point - and less arbitrary jumping back and forth (like the Lindon ceremony scene, don't cut to Harfoots to see what they're up to while Elrond and the High King are preparing the most exquisite honors for an elf's lifetime for Varda's sake!). I'm excited to see how this unfolds and speculate based on the lore what is going to happen with regards to the mystery meteor-man character, and who's ending up as a Nazgûl, and what manner of skills the dwarves and elf-smiths can conjure up.    … Expand
  28. Frodo9Fingers
    Sep 4, 2022
    10
    Music and graphics are stunning! Love the diverse casting! It is reminiscent of the lore we know and love.
  29. kwisi91
    Sep 4, 2022
    2
    Be woke - get broke.
    well, that's one factor lol but to be more serious... much CGI, boring story and has nothing to do with Tolkien. Another franchise which got destroyed by AMAZON like they did with Star Trek and other things.
  30. Godfryd
    Sep 4, 2022
    6
    I'll premise this by saying that I love LotR (books and movies), but I have never read Silmarilion or other Tolkien books than LotR and Hobbit.

    For me, the first two episodes were 6/10, it's a little above mediocre fantasy. Galadriel was better than I expected, Elrond is pretty good, but elves overall feel too human - there's nothing magical about them which is a little disappointing.    I'll premise this by saying that I love LotR (books and movies), but I have never read Silmarilion or other Tolkien books than LotR and Hobbit.

    For me, the first two episodes were 6/10, it's a little above mediocre fantasy. Galadriel was better than I expected, Elrond is pretty good, but elves overall feel too human - there's nothing magical about them which is a little disappointing.
    Dwarves are fantastic, and honestly, if the whole series was about dwarves, it would be 10/10 for me. The only story part I am excited to see further. However, on the other end of the stick are harfoots, which almost put me to sleep, I wouldn't be watching at all if it was about them.

    There are many stupid scenes that don't make logical sense, but there are also some really pretty shots. Sometimes things go super fast, and people teleport all over the world, and sometimes things slow down to boredom.

    If you just want to relax and shut your brain, watching this costly fan fiction might provide some fun, but don't overthink what you're seeing.    … Expand
  31. DodgyBiden
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    Far left anti-White trash. I hope Amazon loses billions and goes out of business.
  32. DannyChryst
    Sep 4, 2022
    10
    Some pretty obvious review bombing going on here. This isn't even close to being that bad. Plus we're only two episodes in and everyone is rushing to tear this down? Seems like these people wanted to hate the show no matter how it turned out. I understand that many liberties were taken with this series and they only had rights to so much of the source material, but Rings of Power stillSome pretty obvious review bombing going on here. This isn't even close to being that bad. Plus we're only two episodes in and everyone is rushing to tear this down? Seems like these people wanted to hate the show no matter how it turned out. I understand that many liberties were taken with this series and they only had rights to so much of the source material, but Rings of Power still does a great job of telling a backstory for the franchise. Visually spectacular and it captures the same epic feeling as the Peter Jackson trilogy. Maybe some of the dialogue and pacing could've been improved. It doesn't detract from the viewing experience enough to make me lose interest though. I would've only given a 7 or8, this is just to combat the absurdly low and unjustified user score.… Expand
  33. HughMBehavior
    Sep 4, 2022
    1
    In lieu of slagging this abomination, here's HOW TO PUT BLACK CHARACTERS IN A TOLKIEN SHOW:

    1. One does not simply tokenize Tolkien. 2. Instead, GO FOR IT and make The Wire: Tolkien Edition (greatest television show of all time. >50% black cast.) 3. Set the show in the Tolkien South. Harad I believe. 4. Thus most of the characters will be black/Semetic/Arabic. 5. Since the    In lieu of slagging this abomination, here's HOW TO PUT BLACK CHARACTERS IN A TOLKIEN SHOW:

    1. One does not simply tokenize Tolkien.

    2. Instead, GO FOR IT and make The Wire: Tolkien Edition (greatest television show of all time. >50% black cast.)

    3. Set the show in the Tolkien South. Harad I believe.

    4. Thus most of the characters will be black/Semetic/Arabic.

    5. Since the Haradrim are allies of Sauron in The Red Book, I suggest a tragic story of how the good Haradrim were eventually overcome by Sauron's entreaties & Game of Thrones style evil vizier types... yet the good Haradrim score a victory in defeat & escape to form a better society elsewhere. Or die tragic hero-style. Whichever et cetera

    6. You'll need a better Tolkien scholar than I (and I am a better Tolkien scholar than any of these DESPICABLE hacks.)

    7. Hey, who's a great Tolkien scholar one might employ? TOM SHIPPEY? Too bad the hacks fired him eh?

    Final thoughts: a. Make it more Wire by writing the villains somewhat sympathetic & the heroes occasionally villainous.

    b. Say the damn dialogue out loud & make it sound like something... what do you call those thingies?... oh, HUMANS. Make it sound like PEOPLE talking.

    c. Bring in Red Book Tolkien with characters evocative of the original & guest stars: human traders, dwarven emissaries, Legolas on walkabout, maybe even Aragorn makes it down. He's OLD AF & probably ranged that way eh? Aragorn could help for half a season & suggest where the good Haradrim flee, then take his leave 'cause the Dunedain will need him. Etc.

    I'm just spitballing here, and already I've HALF-WRITTEN A BETTER SHOW that's WAY MORE DIVERSE but not TOKENIZED. That's how bad Amazon F'd the pooch. Wow. You SUCK Amazon. You SUCK Bad Reboot.

    It might fail... but at least it would not be an ABOMINATION in failing. Amazon is gonna lose a LOT of money here. GOOD. They've lost $5,000 in spend from me already. I was a HEAVY Prime buyer. Now I'm not a Prime buyer. F OFF Amazon. You are being gatekept. F OFF "new religion" fake Tolkien fans. You are being GATEKEPT. We protect what we love from evil cultists like yourselves.

    We welcome new fans. We GATEKEEP subverters in a new fan skinsuit. It confounds you that I am literally asking for a MOSTLY BLACK TOLKIEN SHOW, does it not? I'd explain, but I do not bandy words with witless fools.    … Expand
  34. Prime16
    Sep 4, 2022
    2
    This is honestly just so sad. I really had high hopes for this…the lore is all over the show, the characters act nothing like how they were written…the visual’s are good, i guess thats why it costed so much…but that can’t save it…Hollywood producers/show runner’s need too be stopped.
  35. Veska
    Sep 4, 2022
    5
    When you order LOTR from Wish...And elves with short hair look like humans with fake ears...
  36. ocean10
    Sep 4, 2022
    10
    Outstanding first two episodes. Pure spectacle! Watch it on biggest screen possible.. Music, cinematography, attention to details, I love the tone, atmosphere and motifs they are focused on... They respected Tolkien's mythology and gave us something familiar but fresh at the same time. Really looking forward to it
  37. ThoughtfulScore
    Sep 4, 2022
    6
    This shouldn't be shocking, but the writers at Amazon don't possess the authorial talents of Tolkien. The story isn't as well crafted as the books, or previous movies. Elves are less relatable than hobbits or humans and, since we know they're going to survive, focusing on Elrond & Galadriel maybe isn't the best choice, but clearly a lot of love went into making the show.

    The CGI is    This shouldn't be shocking, but the writers at Amazon don't possess the authorial talents of Tolkien. The story isn't as well crafted as the books, or previous movies. Elves are less relatable than hobbits or humans and, since we know they're going to survive, focusing on Elrond & Galadriel maybe isn't the best choice, but clearly a lot of love went into making the show.

    The CGI is incredible, yet the difference in technology between 2001 and 2022 doesn't completely make up for the drop off in storytelling between JRR & Amazon. The stakes don't feel well-balanced when characters get into sticky situations, resulting in diminished tension. There is still a great opportunity to tell a cool story about the forging of the rings here, and the show is extremely well executed from a technical perspective, so there is still hope.    … Expand
  38. erolsabadosh
    Sep 4, 2022
    2
    Mostly visually stunning and a feast for the eyes, the story and characters on the other hand didn't really grab me so I found myself losing interest between the first act of the first episode and the final scene of the second. The sweeping arial shots, beautiful backdrops and generally solid CGI had me hooked for the first twenty minutes of episode one but after that there's too much ofMostly visually stunning and a feast for the eyes, the story and characters on the other hand didn't really grab me so I found myself losing interest between the first act of the first episode and the final scene of the second. The sweeping arial shots, beautiful backdrops and generally solid CGI had me hooked for the first twenty minutes of episode one but after that there's too much of characters standing still talking to each other in over-lit static scenes for too long (the stylized modern hair cuts are an odd distracting choice). The music is really good, the acting is fine and the dialogue is serviceable but not great, it's really the visuals that kept me watching. I'm not a dedicated Lord of the Rings fan; I've only read part of the book and seen the first trilogy of films when they originally came out so I can't comment on changes for adaptation at this point, but as a casual viewer I think this show has potential and if it can achieve more character/story focus as it goes on it could become essential viewing but it's off to a bit of a slow and rambling start.… Expand
  39. wboy8807
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    Almost fell asleep. Typical Mary Sue story done with repeated and played out concepts. Stay far away. Over rated.
  40. 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 !!!
  41. True-Gaming1
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    Just another poorly written, woke garbage show. Amazon are even trying to hide its failures by deleting reviews.
  42. kidcassidy14
    Sep 4, 2022
    4
    Many reviews written already and many of them might be a bit harsh. But its mostly because of the arrogance of Amazon and their political agenda. Anyway, now the show itself. Is it any good? The looks and design are not bad, neither is the music. They've done a pretty good job there. Those aspects are important, but more important is the level of writing and acting. If those aren't good,Many reviews written already and many of them might be a bit harsh. But its mostly because of the arrogance of Amazon and their political agenda. Anyway, now the show itself. Is it any good? The looks and design are not bad, neither is the music. They've done a pretty good job there. Those aspects are important, but more important is the level of writing and acting. If those aren't good, then a good looking show will fail. Unfortunately it looks like this will be the case here. The writing is pretty awful at times and so is the acting. Some of the actors need to look tough, but instead of looking touch, it makes me cringe how terrible it is at times. Of course, Amazon has an agenda and want diversity. That's fine, but at least make it work and believable. Lord of the Rings isn't Lord of the Rings anymore, if you don't respect the original book. That's the case here, they've done what they wanted to do, didn't care about quality, just released a statement and that's it. Too bad people look away now and don't care about the product you've released. So next time work on that and don't foll your customers!… Expand
  43. Rash3solis
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    Cuando se le pone el nombre de una saga conocida y amada a una serie se espera y es un deber de la productora respetar dicha obra pues se quieren alimentar de sus base de fans. No se puede irrepetse la obra y esperar q los fans la aplaudan.
  44. Hallblithe
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    I set out to give this show a fair shake of the stick because I love LotR, Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales and Tolkien's other works. His Beowulf is even my favourite prose translation, and although I'm not a big fan of self-proclaimed 'Tolkien Scholars' I have read the two works about Middle-earth by Tom Shippey - the only Tolkien 'scholar' who is actually worthy of the name. I'm currentlyI set out to give this show a fair shake of the stick because I love LotR, Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales and Tolkien's other works. His Beowulf is even my favourite prose translation, and although I'm not a big fan of self-proclaimed 'Tolkien Scholars' I have read the two works about Middle-earth by Tom Shippey - the only Tolkien 'scholar' who is actually worthy of the name. I'm currently working my way through th History of Middle-earth (the Cottage of Lost Play!) and it is fascinating - especially with Christopher's commentary.

    This is why this show was such a slap in the face. The casting, actors and writing were awful. If you're going to race-swap characters for the sake of your diversity-at-any-cost agenda then at least get some that are competent and likeable. I turned the show off halfway through Lenny Henry gurning his way through his lines - yes, the same Lenny Henry who is always complaining that television is too white - and I doubt I'll bother with the rest of the series at all.

    As for Galadriel, you'd have thought they could get a natural blonde to play her instead of someone with distractingly dark caterpillar eyebrows and swarthy skin. I love female protagonists and prefer them to men, but this Welsh actor is completely unsuited to the role.

    I'm sure this show will make Bezos billions. A glance at the rabid 10/10 scores makes that crystal clear. I guess many Bezos supporters just want more generic D&D style fantasy. And it's a shame his didn't just spend his money making something else fantasy related - like an Elder Scrolls show - instead of ruining forever something that was beautiful and bright.    … Expand
  45. Uriels
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    Dear Amazon,

    Drop the names from JRRT's works and this dumpster fire will be a solid 2/10, suffering only from crappy story, terrible dialogue ("do you know why ships float and stones don't?") and shallow characters (Guy-Lad-Riel only failed to become the new Rey Palpatine of Mary Sues because the creators didn't notice they're making her a major Karen). Sadly, you insisted that your    Dear Amazon,

    Drop the names from JRRT's works and this dumpster fire will be a solid 2/10, suffering only from crappy story, terrible dialogue ("do you know why ships float and stones don't?") and shallow characters (Guy-Lad-Riel only failed to become the new Rey Palpatine of Mary Sues because the creators didn't notice they're making her a major Karen).

    Sadly, you insisted that your Xena Bezos needs to be named "Galadriel", your Dragonstone from Wish needs to be named Numenor and your Maester Tywin needs to be named Celebrimbor. These names are dear to me and if your show has to mock them, it cannot deserve more than a hard-worked-for 0.    … Expand
  46. RandomWyrd
    Sep 4, 2022
    10
    Remarkably well done, delighted to experience Middle Earth as a TV show. Decades ago I never would’ve dreamed of seeing this day. They captured the feel and scale of the previous movies wonderfully, and several of the characters are delightful.
  47. Necrophagia
    Sep 4, 2022
    1
    they killed Tolkien. it was impossible to write such a bad script, but they wrote it. everything is bad except for the visual effects. disgustingly ugly elves, dialogues for morons. not interesting to watch for a minute.
  48. vonan
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    It is horrible everything except graphics.
    I never wrote something bad about serials but this "art" pushed me up to leave a comment.
    I had never expected something extraordinary form this genre, but this piece left me really surprised of low quality of storytelling considering that the universe of setting was well developed before.
  49. Unicron666
    Sep 4, 2022
    1
    An absolute travesty. The only mark I gave it is for the effects which are middling at best. This has nothing to do with Tolkien, it is like a modern American take on what they think Tolkien is suoppsed to be. Needless to say they missed the mark by a massive degree
  50. Arkane7
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    This is not the Lord of the Rings. It is very very loosely based on Tokiens fantastic works. Imdb has actually deleted hundreds of review below 6 out of 10. The visuals are decent but the script, characters and action are terrible to behold. You should watch this just to see how bad it is. Its also super woke and cares more about social politics than entertainment. Everything theThis is not the Lord of the Rings. It is very very loosely based on Tokiens fantastic works. Imdb has actually deleted hundreds of review below 6 out of 10. The visuals are decent but the script, characters and action are terrible to behold. You should watch this just to see how bad it is. Its also super woke and cares more about social politics than entertainment. Everything the characters do does not make any logical sense. The main female lead is also a Mary Sue who is always angry at everyone. Rather than watch this, go back and re-watch the actual Lord of the Rings movies and the Hobbit, check out the extended versions which have many hours of added integrated footage and scenes.… Expand
  51. Seattleite
    Sep 4, 2022
    9
    Don't believe the review bombers, Rings of Power has the look, and the feel of the film trilogy, while carving out its own lane in episodic fashion. It feels great to be back in middle-earth, and there are a Lot of moving parts, but by the second episode it really starts to come alive. I can't wait to see what's in store for the following 6 episodes.
  52. Prometheus_ts
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    A total woke race swapping disaster . Boring , uninspired , lore breaking and has nothing to do with Tolkien.
  53. FatzJim
    Sep 4, 2022
    1
    I really wanted this to be good: its not. Its awful. The good: some of the cinematography is visually good and some great, but others are cheap CGI. The bad: the writing is terrible. The character dialogue is weird and clunky. Lots of lines are written by Captain Obvious. Lots of scenes don't make sense as to why they are even there, I am so sad and disappointed, why Amazon?
  54. GotHeeeem
    Sep 4, 2022
    6
    Sad to see a show with so much funding to make a good product, instead go their own self righteous way and ruin it. Example: The strongest Mage (Gandalf), Warrior (Aragorn), Tank (Boromir), Archer (Legolas) in all of Middle Earth, struggle in one of the most epic fight scenes in the Franchise to defeat a cave troll. But here in the Rings of Power, one small elf whos not supposed to use aSad to see a show with so much funding to make a good product, instead go their own self righteous way and ruin it. Example: The strongest Mage (Gandalf), Warrior (Aragorn), Tank (Boromir), Archer (Legolas) in all of Middle Earth, struggle in one of the most epic fight scenes in the Franchise to defeat a cave troll. But here in the Rings of Power, one small elf whos not supposed to use a sword but magic, happens to all on her own with a sword and not magic, three shot an ice troll in 5 seconds as if it were a helpless baby. Well, that fight scene told me I don't need to watch any more episodes cause that girls got Middle Earth covered.… Expand
  55. Skipper81Ger
    Sep 4, 2022
    10
    grandios, ein meisterwerk, ich liebe diese serie sie ist wunderfoll in bild und ton
  56. 5435248748
    Sep 4, 2022
    10
    Fantastic setting, great characters and story. Really enjoyed the first season so far.
  57. Thepredator91
    Sep 4, 2022
    10
    I was genuinly surprised by the first episode of RoP. They set the overall mood right and the cast/ acting is very good i.m.o. The music also feel very LotR like. Im very excited to see the rest of this series.
  58. Mrburch
    Sep 4, 2022
    10
    I love it so far! The scenery is beautiful. Can't wait to see the story progress!
  59. rumax
    Sep 4, 2022
    1
    Peter Jackson is on the side of good, and Amazon is a fascist villain from the underworld, deleting objectionable comments and manipulating the ratings of the **** that they have created.
  60. Puato
    Sep 4, 2022
    2
    I am tempted to suggest that this series could have been a lot better, but I don't know if that is even true. I believe that if someone had tried to make it more in the mold of Boorman's Excalibur rather than a Harry Potter dramatic mystery then the obvious lack of ready-made source material would be easier to forgive. Manny have pointed out that the screenplay writers do not have anyI am tempted to suggest that this series could have been a lot better, but I don't know if that is even true. I believe that if someone had tried to make it more in the mold of Boorman's Excalibur rather than a Harry Potter dramatic mystery then the obvious lack of ready-made source material would be easier to forgive. Manny have pointed out that the screenplay writers do not have any successes to their name; that really shows. It would also behoove Amazon to hire a lead actor who had the ability to present a likeable heroine the next time they attempt something with a scale anywhere close to this enormous.… Expand
  61. c3pu
    Sep 4, 2022
    3
    Seelenlos. Ich werde nach den ersten beiden Folgen nicht weitergucken. Eine klare Handlung ist nicht erkennbar. Alles will groß und episch sein, aber man fragt sich, warum eigentlich?
  62. DigitalHegemon
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    I have been a huge fan of J.R.R. Tolkien's works since the 1970s. I have read all the books many times over the past fifty years. As a child, I taught myself to read and write the tengwar. Even now, I play the online video game almost daily, I had very high hopes for "Rings of Power". They were cruelly dashed. Here are just a few reasons why:

    The show-runners' complete disdain for    I have been a huge fan of J.R.R. Tolkien's works since the 1970s. I have read all the books many times over the past fifty years. As a child, I taught myself to read and write the tengwar. Even now, I play the online video game almost daily, I had very high hopes for "Rings of Power". They were cruelly dashed. Here are just a few reasons why:

    The show-runners' complete disdain for anything resembling good writing is sad.

    The characterization is so bad, you almost wish that the bad guys win at least one fight.

    Nay, I shall not talk to my beautiful second cousin as if she were there. I shall exposit plot points and review history that she lived through as if she were a kindergarten-aged human.

    Even in a fantasy world, there is such a thing as physics (warm breath + cold = fog [duh]).

    You chase your enemy across the world over centuries...on foot? Really? No budget for horses?

    Elves using sharp tools to desecrate and wound living trees for any purpose at all? Inconceivable!

    The costumes look like they were bought at a consignment shop after all the prom dresses were donated. The tacky ones, mostly.

    Derivative scenes and call backs (climbing ice walls, salted pork, etc.) are worthless and weak.

    When people in completely different parts of the world see a meteor, it does not seem to be going in the exact same direction at the exact same height. See: physics.

    No matter how unnaturally hale and hardy they are, no elf, no matter how high-born, can swim across 2,000 plus miles of ocean. Any elf who would try must be insane or mad with grief (see: Amroth, future king of Lothlórien).

    Look at this magic dagger I found. It can disappear into my body cavities without a sheath and reappear when needed by the plot! It's invisible only when it needs to be! So precious...

    Ten out of ten wargs surveyed will not choose blackberries over miniature hominin lunch.

    Accents = Class. Irish = Poor. Lower Class English = Middle Class. Upper Class English = Rich. Scottish = Rich but vertically-challenged with lots of burping.

    In the end, do yourself a favour and just re-watch Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" extended edition movies for the seventh time.

    Maybe, just maybe, if the public tuned out and ignored this abomination, it, unlike Sauron, might just be redeemed. That would require Amazon firing all the writers, directors, and show-runners and starting over...but this humble rock of a Tolkien fan is looking up, not down, just to see if that really works.

    PS So far, the water is quite deep...and getting colder by the moment...so dark...

    Afterword: Note that nothing in my review makes any comments about the skin color or ethnicity
    of the actors. Although arguments can be made that the ancient Norse and Saxon sagas and histories that Tolkien based his writing on involved 100% melanin-challenged protagonists (reflecting the population of the eras), times change. At one point in the not-so-distant past, according to current biology, the inhabitants of what we now call Britain looked much more like modern day sub-Saharan Africans.

    In the end, I don't care what your skin color is, as long as your acting, based on an excellent script and deft directing, makes me BELIEVE that I am once again in the Middle Earth I dreamed of as a child while reading the original texts. On the other hand, if the writing, acting, directing, and costumes are garbage to the point that middle school fan fiction and theater production values would IMPROVE on the quality of this execrable final product, well, it doesn't matter if the actor is pinkish-beige, green or purple, now does it?    … Expand
  63. Sir_Blyatman
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    Gratest fantasy universe. Gratest budget. And gratest FAILURE. thats really sad.
  64. foxtyke
    Sep 4, 2022
    2
    When I watched the Rings of Power, I could not find the immersion I found in the literary works of Tolkien nor the Jackson movie adaptations of the property.

    I understand there's a lot of review bombing going on but really, this does not evoke the feelings of Tolkien level of storytelling and work but more or less, it feels like a Netflix treatment of a property. Think of the Netflix    When I watched the Rings of Power, I could not find the immersion I found in the literary works of Tolkien nor the Jackson movie adaptations of the property.

    I understand there's a lot of review bombing going on but really, this does not evoke the feelings of Tolkien level of storytelling and work but more or less, it feels like a Netflix treatment of a property. Think of the Netflix adaptation of Resident Evil and you have a better idea of how Amazon treated Rings of Power in terms of handling the property.

    I encourage you to watch at least the first few episodes to form your own opinion, perhaps your experience will be different and more positive but for me, it was just not very good even with creative license for the age in which the Rings of Power is set. I'd gone into it with higher hopes than most I believe for the series but as time has progressed during production and more information was released through trailers and interviews, I felt the focus was less on the work itself and more on pushing a social message through the production.

    Nonetheless I did give it a fair shot but found it sorely lacking in canonical detail and with droll and contrived writing, even for major moments in the series. Again however, you may see it differently and that is okay but the purpose of this review is to simply share my experience with Rings of Power so, do not hold my opinion as end-all-be-all and watch it yourself.

    What bothers me is that given the reception of this series by the large existing fanbase, whether they've actually watched or not, it will likely result in future adaptations of Lord of the Rings being far more harder to greenlight for production regardless of their quality. I was hoping that it would bring the world and works of Tolkien to new generations but, it is what it is and I really can't say more than my personal thoughts and experience.    … Expand
  65. El_Misterioso
    Sep 4, 2022
    1
    boring, it lasts a long time, almost every minute I see this thing I would rather play Human Fall Flat (one of the worst games I've ever played)
  66. YakuzaOyabun81
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    I would give it around 5 stars if it wasnt advertised with Tolkien name.This isnt anywhere near Tolkien.Its utter stinking t u r d
  67. CemenOne
    Sep 4, 2022
    1
    Terrible cast, dialogue and storytelling. A typical strong and independent woman, stupid men and coals in Tolkien's adaptation. On imdb, they generally removed any negative ratings, somehow it's not nice. People are unhappy and very fair!
  68. GiovaniMenezes
    Sep 4, 2022
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I couldn't watch more than 20 minutes of the first episode so I fell asleep. I don't even dare to finish. The second forgets. The series is bland, boring and boring and with very poor characterization, plot and interpretations. Characters without charisma, shallow dialogue, confusing context and chronology. Abominable how far these people involved in this production have reached in an attempt to destroy one of the greatest cultural legacies of humanity left by a genius of world literature with absurd questions. And these expert analyzes do not match reality.… Expand
  69. Cromsblood
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    Well, I gave it a go just to see how bad it could get, but I was surprised at how trashy this show is. Especially the casting. I skipped the scenes with Lenny Henry and the black elf in them. I didn't like the sneering activist who played Galadriel either. This wasn't, as some Twitter leftists like to say, because I'm against female leads - I'd love to see more - but because the actorWell, I gave it a go just to see how bad it could get, but I was surprised at how trashy this show is. Especially the casting. I skipped the scenes with Lenny Henry and the black elf in them. I didn't like the sneering activist who played Galadriel either. This wasn't, as some Twitter leftists like to say, because I'm against female leads - I'd love to see more - but because the actor herself attacked fans and I loathe her. Disliking an actor =/= disliking female leads.… Expand
  70. Reed618
    Sep 4, 2022
    8
    So far it seems pretty good. Excellent effects and cinematography with some great performances. It can be a little slow at points but overall i'm enjoying it.
  71. TomMonday
    Sep 4, 2022
    8
    If you’re upset by a humourless white lady warrior and sexy black elf, I don’t know how to help you. Personally thought it was pretty good. Tight fight scenes. Steely fantasy characters. Amazing imaginary landscapes. So far, I’m sucked into the world and lore and dynamics between these totally fictional people in a silly made-up world.
  72. Orlando_Borges
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    Infelizmente a série é uma decepção. Roteiro fraco. Forçando a barra sobre os personagens. Péssimas atuações. Elfos descaracterizados. Enfim, uma pena ver a tentativa de destruir a obra do Tolkien.
  73. yassir5505
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    This show is a disaster, the worst part is they tried deleting people's reviews on other sites n hide the bad ones. I can't believe they ruined lotr. Don't waste ur time with this. Go watch Game of Thrones and/or House of the Dragon. This show is a disaster, the worst part is they tried deleting people's reviews on other sites n hide the bad ones. I can't believe they ruined lotr. Don'tThis show is a disaster, the worst part is they tried deleting people's reviews on other sites n hide the bad ones. I can't believe they ruined lotr. Don't waste ur time with this. Go watch Game of Thrones and/or House of the Dragon. This show is a disaster, the worst part is they tried deleting people's reviews on other sites n hide the bad ones. I can't believe they ruined lotr. Don't waste ur time with this. Go watch Game of Thrones and/or House of the Dragon.… Expand
  74. Inductionist
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    Besides extremely high production value, there is almost nothing positive to say about this series. Tolkien fans will feel lost. The average fantasy fan will find nothing new or original. The cast seems misplaced. What a disaster.
  75. Hobbitluvr
    Sep 4, 2022
    10
    The most expensive show ever made and every penny was well spent. Tolkien would be proud. If you like lord of the rings you’ll LOVE rings of power. Not only are the scenes beautifully designed but the story line is rich and complex. If this is the kind of quality amazon is capable of we can only hope for more.
  76. RubyMouse
    Sep 4, 2022
    4
    I'm disappointed at the use of old fashioned stereotypes of Irish people in this show and the US centric assumption that because several are POC that makes it less offensive. I'm also disappointed at the clunky dialogue and exposition and at the depiction of all who fail to be impressed as toxic review bombing bots. It simply is not that good although I really hope that it improves.
  77. Sondergaard
    Sep 4, 2022
    3
    Dull. Can't believe I'm saying that about a series set in Middle Earth. I could go on about the lore inaccuracies, writing, dialogue, acting etc but that has already been exhaustively covered elsewhere. Hugely disappointed. Looks pretty though.
  78. JCHouse
    Sep 4, 2022
    10
    Most of all, those who shout the film is not according to the lore see something of their own in the lore and never tried to understand what exactly the author was saying. I liked it very much and recommend watching it.
  79. Gallandro1
    Sep 4, 2022
    4
    RoP struggles to find a rhythm over its two introductory episodes. Unfortunately the cast is largely forgettable outside of Elrond and the dwarves. Even more problematic, Galadriel is so one-note over these two episodes that she’s extremely unlikeable as a character.

    Gorgeous visual, but uninspiring story and script make for a very mixed bag.
  80. Karenej
    Sep 2, 2022
    1
    Apparently Bezos is a Tolkien fan so he must be aware how truly awful this is. So why did he allow those Hollywood genius writers (sarcasm)McKay and J Payne to trash Tolkien? This pair clearly have no understanding of Tolkiens world. Their dialogue is so excruitiatingly bad I can only surmise they have never read anything. Ever. Not even a comic. And the director Wayne Yip clearly thinksApparently Bezos is a Tolkien fan so he must be aware how truly awful this is. So why did he allow those Hollywood genius writers (sarcasm)McKay and J Payne to trash Tolkien? This pair clearly have no understanding of Tolkiens world. Their dialogue is so excruitiatingly bad I can only surmise they have never read anything. Ever. Not even a comic. And the director Wayne Yip clearly thinks he is still directing an episode of Dr Who. Good old Wayne with his further education qualification in knitting and design. My god, why did Amazon let this rag bag bunch anywhere near Tolkien? The grim music score. The lack of plot. The carribean hobbits with Irish accents in 18c wigs. Totally bizarre. The lack of humour.… Expand
  81. EpicAdde
    Sep 4, 2022
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Two episodes in and I want my two hours of time back. It's a CW show, with a bigger budget but directed by someone who thinks "bitter" and "salty" can be a characters entire personality.

    Music: neither good nor bad, it doesn't stick with you but it's not badly performed.
    CGI: decent, except the birds when the Elves were sailing.
    Acting: is more wooden than an Ent, save Markella Kavenagh (Nori) who at least delivers some character, even though her introduction was like watching Disney's the Little Mermaid: her friend, Flounder/Poppy even gets stuck and has to be pulled out. Elrond (Amayo) leaves a greasy feeling on the tongue after he speaks, but at least he can make more expressions than Morfydd Clarke who only has one: eyes wide open, or lips pursed.
    The story: VERY loosely based on Tolkien's works, but if you removed/changed the names like Valinor, Galadriel, Elrond etc, to something else, I'd never have thought it was Tolkien-inspired.

    I can understand with them wanting to do their own thing, but the casual racism thrown about with Elves acting like watchers over Men as far East as the Southlands, the slang "knife-ears" (very modern slang for Elves btw), the very weird pronounciation of Morgoth and Galadriel (Morrrrgoth and Galadrrrriel), the weird fakeness of the sea, the scene where handmaidens start to strip the Elves headed to Valinor... it's just so off. Like they wanted to create a deep pool of culture and tradition, but we get a puddle instead.

    Two episodes in and we're already getting a sense of Women Are Right, Men Are Dumb, but some decisions seem dumber than others: Galadriel leading her team, all wearing mail and plate in temperatures cold enough to cause frostbite, or Galadriel jumping ship in the middle of nowhere...

    I did like the orcs we've seen so far though.

    I have refrained from making too many, of any, lore comparisons: this review would never finish if I did, but suffice to say is that this is merely standing on the shoulders of giants to even be noticed. You think anyone would even tune in if it didn't have "the Lord of the Rings" in the title?    … Expand
  82. GrinWey
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    It's a shame to make a movie with so disrespect to original story. I don't understand, for whom this show make for.
  83. shoulderoforion
    Sep 4, 2022
    8
    The first two episodes of this show were freaking EPIC! This is defo on my schedule, and I hope the children go concentrate on other things, and leave the fun fantasy alone. (someone, who is not me has edited my review, deleting entire swaths of it, lol, I didn't know that happened on this website)
  84. agsoccer9
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    I advise that you stay away. Writing is very poor for the caliber of budget. Its actually that bad. CGI and scenery were good at points but the way the lore is twisted and disrespected is abhorrent. They managed to take a powerful and complex character in Galadriel and turn her into a shallow, angry Mary Sue with a warrior princess complex. She has a default setting of being pissed off andI advise that you stay away. Writing is very poor for the caliber of budget. Its actually that bad. CGI and scenery were good at points but the way the lore is twisted and disrespected is abhorrent. They managed to take a powerful and complex character in Galadriel and turn her into a shallow, angry Mary Sue with a warrior princess complex. She has a default setting of being pissed off and it was annoying to the point that I was rooting against her character. That is NOT Galadriel. This show is an expensive fan fiction that is LoTR in name only. To say this is an epic failure and disappointment is an understatement. Don’t even get me started with Elrond’s character, what they did to him is laughable. Barely made it through the first two episodes and I will not be watching further, instead I will be reading the books and doing an extended edition Lord of The Rings marathon where they actually attempted to honor the spirit of the source material. Just yikes.… Expand
  85. ReasonedReview
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    I didn't like this at all. It was obviously made by people with political agendas who don't much care for Tolkien. The acting was very bad. Lenny Henry stank in every scene he was in. Woeful.
  86. Lonso
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    Muito desinteressante, falhas de roteiro, interpretações fracas, ritmo muito lento, erros de continuidade. Todos esses fatores são nitidamente notados e nos tira de toda fraca tentativa de imersão que o show tenta criar. Não assistirei mais, esses dois episódios é o suficiente para ditar todo resto da série.
  87. 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.
  88. LordoftheDance
    Sep 2, 2022
    10
    So many edgelords that were going to hate this show no matter what.... and I mean that as someone who is very critical. Show is fantastic. Silmarillion is one of my favorite books, and I knew going in this wasn't the Silmarillion, but it pairs up with it and LOTR perfectly. Really sad reflection of this day and age that something this amazing can be made and because its not theirSo many edgelords that were going to hate this show no matter what.... and I mean that as someone who is very critical. Show is fantastic. Silmarillion is one of my favorite books, and I knew going in this wasn't the Silmarillion, but it pairs up with it and LOTR perfectly. Really sad reflection of this day and age that something this amazing can be made and because its not their version of perfect people will still whine and complain.… Expand
  89. galarchik
    Sep 4, 2022
    3
    Локации, графика, в целом картинка 8/10. Было занятно посмотреть, глаз порадовался.
    Саундтреки 7/10.
    Приятно слушать, но почему их так много? У меня в памяти не осталось ни одна мелодия. Актеры 4/10 Галадриль, цветной эльф прямо таки дно. Почему она себя ведет как сильная независимая женщина? Посмотрите в трилогии джексона. С эльфом, закрывая глаза что он не белый и не длиноволосый, его    Локации, графика, в целом картинка 8/10. Было занятно посмотреть, глаз порадовался.
    Саундтреки 7/10.
    Приятно слушать, но почему их так много? У меня в памяти не осталось ни одна мелодия.
    Актеры 4/10
    Галадриль, цветной эльф прямо таки дно. Почему она себя ведет как сильная независимая женщина? Посмотрите в трилогии джексона. С эльфом, закрывая глаза что он не белый и не длиноволосый, его мимика практически одна и таже. Повествование 2/10.
    Я понял что Саурон зло, мне не нужно 2 часа это объяснять.
    Отдельно:
    Зачем Галадриэль прыгает с корабля в надежде проплыть все море?
    Почему эльф не побежал к стражникам доложить об увиденном, а полез в нору, если очевидно что нечисть пробралась?    … Expand
  90. Damson_Rhee
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    I was looking forward to this, despite the questionable acting, but it's just sooo bad. Thanks to Amazon Tolkien's works have been ruined for the sake of 'The Message'. Honestly, if you love Bezos or hate white people then this is likely going to be a 10/10 for you, but otherwise you're best steering clear.
  91. 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
  92. Hyperbole86
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    It's rises to the level of Tolkien fanfic. It fails to capture the standard of Tolkien. His otherworldly setting, character designs and mythic storytelling or nowhere to be found.
  93. JoelWasRight
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    This made me appreciate th PJ movies a lot more than I used to. I tried giving it a chance but couldn't even finish it. It's just Bolshevik trash. The woke casting was really jarring - like seeing White tribe members in Wakanda would be - and it felt like the non-Whites were cosplaying as fantasy Europeans and doing a poor job at it. Other than that, this show has a very flashy, overlyThis made me appreciate th PJ movies a lot more than I used to. I tried giving it a chance but couldn't even finish it. It's just Bolshevik trash. The woke casting was really jarring - like seeing White tribe members in Wakanda would be - and it felt like the non-Whites were cosplaying as fantasy Europeans and doing a poor job at it. Other than that, this show has a very flashy, overly clean presentation - nothing at all like the 'lived in' feel of the movies. Many of the performances were poor, especially from the sneering SJW activist who plays Galadriel. I don't recommend this. 0/10… Expand
  94. Jamelitt
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    Literally the worst writing I've ever had to listen to in a show. Maybe it just feels worse because the characters are supposed to be intelligent and thoughtful and what they're given to say is so dumb and shallow. It starts stupid from the first 5 minutes, "why does a boat float?" Who wrote this nonsense metaphor?? Like something a 14 year old writes in their creative writing class thatLiterally the worst writing I've ever had to listen to in a show. Maybe it just feels worse because the characters are supposed to be intelligent and thoughtful and what they're given to say is so dumb and shallow. It starts stupid from the first 5 minutes, "why does a boat float?" Who wrote this nonsense metaphor?? Like something a 14 year old writes in their creative writing class that the teachers laugh about in the lounge. I feel bad for the actors who have to say these lines with a straight face... speaking of which straight faces is all you get from the actors. Maybe that's the inexperienced directors fault but I find myself questioning if all the characters are secretly dead since they can't emote. Remove all the social experiments that once side hates and one side loves and you're left with a bad fan fiction written on a YA forum by a middle school student.… Expand
  95. Iconoclast13
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    It's horrible fan fiction at best. They've completely changed characters such as Galadriel, she doesn't have her husband or child, not a sorcerer but a warrior which she never was, left out several of her brothers to make her a strong independent woman on a revenge quest which never happened, have her leading an army which never happened, made the men around her ignorant to highlight howIt's horrible fan fiction at best. They've completely changed characters such as Galadriel, she doesn't have her husband or child, not a sorcerer but a warrior which she never was, left out several of her brothers to make her a strong independent woman on a revenge quest which never happened, have her leading an army which never happened, made the men around her ignorant to highlight how strong and independent this woman is compared to men. She's unlikable, the horrible writing doesn't help.

    There's more, such as harfoots not being in the second age, dwarven women missing their beards, casting to fit identity politics, Gandalf being in the show when he wasn't alive during this time, etc. They should have just made their own universe instead of tainting lotr.    … Expand
  96. Nejenatik
    Sep 4, 2022
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Отвратительно! Как так можно не соблюдают каноны!… Expand
  97. Cuka34
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The horrible dialogue that tries so hard to be Tolkienish but is just generic pomp and mixes styles seemingly at random.
    Celebrimbor: "you are here to achieve the 'how'"
    Finrod: "I won't be around forever" (no Elves ever used contractions like that in all of Tolkien's writings, do I even need to explain?) So casual, so bad.
    None of the Elves look Elvish to me, square jaws and all. What a waste of the talent of some good actors? Galadriel swimming in the damn ocean like the Brecca from Beowulf!
    Everything looked so cheap and without background and real reason!
    Too much cringe to mention all but watch the elf woman extra half-arsedly stab the thin hot CGI air before the troll gets her. Aule is Mahal to the dwarves but they naming him by elven name!
    The whole Elrond the Dwarf friend is so cringeworthy.
    Everything seems so wrong!    … Expand
  98. burakcem
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    This show has nothing to do with Tolkien's work. Only some of the characters names are from Tolkien, and the name of geography where the events are happening are from Tolkien's work. Everything else is completely different. Dialogues are very bad, casting is very bad, storyline is very bad, acting is very bad. The only good thing about the show is the scenery. This is not middle earth.
  99. Negreirosff2
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    An abomination . A total direspect to the Tolkiens legacy. Seems the writters never cared reading the work they are suppposed to be based upon.
  100. Firiel_Awakens
    Sep 4, 2022
    0
    I didn't like the Caribbean hobbit or the elf 'from da hood'. I tried to give it a fair chance but I won't be watching further.
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Most Discussed TV Season of 2022

Critic Reviews

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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.
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  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.
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  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
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