The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Prime Video | Release Date: September 2, 2022
2.6
USER SCORE
Generally unfavorable reviews based on 2859 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
587
Mixed:
123
Negative:
2,149
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
0
Enricoflp02Sep 3, 2022
The only site that didn't remove bad ratings LOL

Amazon is so cringe... They don't know what to do about this series
20 of 176 users found this helpful20156
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1
shavas1Sep 3, 2022
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is such a dissapointing two wasted hours of my life. A truly terrible adaptation from TOLR appendixes. Bad script, terrible acting, completely boring, story jumps from group to group in a completely disjointed manner. Obvious tolkenizaiton and gender, race, LGBTQ quota checkboxes that they ticked off which completely takes me out any kind of immersion into LOTR world. Elves has short hair, the males seem feminist, Galadriel is supposed to be some kind of war lord but seems more like a Karen. The Hobbits or whatever are mostly all little girls and what's the point of them in this age? This show is utter garbage and a billion dollar waste.… Expand
20 of 176 users found this helpful20156
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0
OnkelmorraSep 4, 2022
Instead of adapting Tolkien honestly and true to his world, they fill this series with contemporary woke politics. That's not what LOTR is about.
15 of 132 users found this helpful15117
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0
HjatliSep 3, 2022
I love the part where she says "It's morbing time" then all the males arrange their swords like a ramp and she runs up them and jumps into sauron's mouth, truly epic
20 of 177 users found this helpful20157
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3
CptainTaskmastrSep 3, 2022
the special effects and shots are beautiful but I'm afraid the show lacks alot of things
20 of 177 users found this helpful20157
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3
El_BeardoSep 3, 2022
Watched the first two episodes as I was willing to give this show a chance.

The show disappoints for numerous reasons and falls short in pretty much everyway. The exception is the visuals of the environments which are all spectacular. TheWatched the first two episodes as I was willing to give this show a chance.

The show disappoints for numerous reasons and falls short in pretty much everyway. The exception is the visuals of the environments which are all spectacular. The visual effects artists have done exceptional work.

I don’t believe the show has been graded effectively as the Lord of the Rings films were. This lack of final polish, unfortunately leaves the characters like the elves just looking like humans with pointy ears in good cosplay. The shows visual style lacks the ethereal effect the the team working on Lord of the Rings achieved so well.

Unfortunately all other areas of the show are mediocre at best. Wooden stilted acting from pretty much the entire cast does not lend to believability or bring impact to the story… if feels as if I’m watching actors walking around in costumes rather than characters living in a real (fantasy) world. The actors are probably doing their best with mediocre writing and a nonsensical narrative; it is fairly obvious none of them actually believe in or are living the role, they are simply reading lines from a script.

The writing is nonsensical with a plot that jumps around with out any rhyme or reason. Even though I am fairly well versed in Tolkien, I was confused by the motivations and desires of the characters… but then it dawned on me, these characters are NOT the characters from Tolkiens Legendarium, they have the same names but are not the same characters. They are merely corporate creations, doppelgängers if you will, that have replaced the characters Tolkien invented.

I do have sympathy for the writers, however inept the job they have done is. As Amazon only had the rights to the appendecies of the Lord of the Rings, and could not use material from the Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, History of Middle Earth and so on there was not much to work with. I understand a lot of the narrative and plot had to be written from scratch with only a vague outline to go on.

This brings me to my main point. This show should never have been made in the first place as the creative team never had the rights to the material that would allow a show like this to succeed.

It screams of Amazon wanting their own high fantasy ‘Games of Thrones’ and merely using the recognition of ‘The Lord of Rings’ as a marketing tool to sell their mediocre product. A well know quote from Ian Malcolm comes to mind.… Expand
20 of 177 users found this helpful20157
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0
SmuhamadSep 3, 2022
This is not lies of the rings it's just some cringe TV show that want to please everyone on earth
20 of 177 users found this helpful20157
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0
PaxxuSep 3, 2022
There isn't a real story... Only girl power, black power without logic and sense.
20 of 177 users found this helpful20157
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0
NahhmanSep 3, 2022
It’s sticky **** spray painted with gold paint.
Nuff said
(God, I can’t even believe that there are people who enjoy this. Sure, It’s pretty. Sure, It looks great! It is a pile of hot garbage that is putting a pretty film over your eye. IfIt’s sticky **** spray painted with gold paint.
Nuff said

(God, I can’t even believe that there are people who enjoy this. Sure, It’s pretty. Sure, It looks great! It is a pile of hot garbage that is putting a pretty film over your eye. If you enjoy this then good for you. However, you need to read the books in order to at LEAST honor Tolkien because this show is throwing his name in the mud. I’m not mad at the actors, I’m not even angry at the writers, but I’m angry at amazon for their agenda. This is a blessing in disguise and maybe companies can use amazon as an example to not do woke **** anymore. NO ONE LIKES IT.… Expand
20 of 177 users found this helpful20157
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0
FahhqSep 3, 2022
This was a joke right? Please PLEASE tell me this was a joke. I couldn't finish the 2nd episode, I tried... I tried
20 of 177 users found this helpful20157
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1
RognsterSep 4, 2022
Scenography: 9/10
Evereything else: meh

The screenwriting is ok at best. It doesn’t feel like Tolkien or Peter Jackson. Doesn’t feel like middle earth.
15 of 133 users found this helpful15118
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1
ReneeRoughtSep 5, 2022
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Episode 1 and 2 review. Long time fan here. I know my Tolkien. This is not Tolkien. The casting is terrible. The acting was poor, the costume were bad. Armor looked cheap and everyone is dressed in sacks. That's what it looks like. They destroyed the lore in the first 7 minutes of this dumpster fire. Feanor was not a hero. They made it look like the elves went to Middle earth because Morogoth destroyed the trees. This is not what happened. Ungoliant who they never mention destroyed the trees while Morgoth watched. He then went and killed Finwe and stole the silmarils. Feanor and his followers went and Killed their own kin the Teleri elves and stole the ships. All the elves that participated in this including those that never killed but followed Feanor were exiled and never allowed to return. This is includes Galadriel who is now Galadiel Warrior princess. That is just some of the canon crushing stuff. If they would take Tolkiens name off it. Didn't us any Tolkien names. Tweaked the story a bit you would probably have a watchable series but as it is trying to call this Tolkien is a bad idea. The Tolkien estate should be ashamed they ever let this happen.… Expand
15 of 133 users found this helpful15118
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0
augustomonteiroSep 6, 2022
Simplesmente horrível... A existência dessa série é uma ofensa as obras de Tolkien
17 of 151 users found this helpful17134
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0
timo788Sep 3, 2022
Generic fantasy trash using an expensive title to have a built in fan base which has back fired.
20 of 178 users found this helpful20158
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0
FalasSep 9, 2022
You cant buy everything with money. Being a rich person doesnt make you the best producer.
17 of 152 users found this helpful17135
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0
NEPHALEM89Sep 9, 2022
So far from tolkiens work, they should change the name of the series and all the characters
21 of 188 users found this helpful21167
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0
GauerSep 3, 2022
Not Lord of the Rings, they are just using the name but it has nothing to do with what Tolkien has written. Even if it were it´s own thing, it would still be a very bad generic copycat fantasy. Avoid this woke garbage.
20 of 179 users found this helpful20159
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0
Give_em_hellSep 9, 2022
What a joke! No respect to Tolkien's world. Bad writing, bad acting, bad plot.
21 of 189 users found this helpful21168
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0
Vux74Sep 3, 2022
No lore, bad writing, boring, Ray Palpatine Galadriel...we expected this, just w8ing to see the LGBT angle
21 of 189 users found this helpful21168
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0
alisondeneverSep 3, 2022
A serie é fraca,banal e a personagem principal é arrogante,cinica e completaente odiosa. ISSO N É SENHOR DOS ANEIS, É UMA SERIE SOBRE UMA MARY SUE
15 of 135 users found this helpful15120
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1
NormalUtahnSep 8, 2022
Bezos has proven a few things over the course of his life. 1. He can't pull off a cowboy hat. 2. He can't get to orbit. 3. He blew a billion dollars on a garbage LOTR series. He should have stopped at selling stuff online. He is good atBezos has proven a few things over the course of his life. 1. He can't pull off a cowboy hat. 2. He can't get to orbit. 3. He blew a billion dollars on a garbage LOTR series. He should have stopped at selling stuff online. He is good at that.

Where to start with this abomination? The worst writing I have ever encountered this side of the WB. "A stone sees only downward." Ya, that is why stones sink. How deep and profound. It is filled with junior high level, YA writing. They try so hard to be deep, but have no understanding of philosophy or metaphor. Again, junior high writing.

How about that troll fight? Wow. Apparently the show runners are big fans of anime or video games. She mashed x at exactly the right time in that fight for the dodge and finishing move. No sweat, just wanted to sit there for a little while watching her troops get chucked around to humble them a little, I suppose. She certainly is one tough bird. I mean, hell, she basically swam the equivalent of the Atlantic Ocean. What is a troll compared to that? And her motivation for the centuries of suffering, looking for the hidden enemy? She's upset. She wants revenge. Such a one note character.

How about the visit to the dwarves? Just a few minutes walk away, no need for gear or a wardrobe change. Challenging someone to the sacred right of rock smashing will always get you in the door. How idiotic. This show is a death by a thousand cuts. Hair styles, wardrobe, acting, directing. Everywhere it sucks, but the writing is the biggest downfall. 2 hours in and I care not one bit about any of the characters. I'm starting to root for Sauron. Hopefully he can kill all the characters and put this show out of it's misery.

You know that Amazon knows it sucks when they have to take away the ability to rate the show, and has their company, IMDB, not allow reviews under 6 stars. Sycophantic "professional" reviewers trying to kiss Amazon ass and saying all the legitimate criticism are just a bunch of racist trolls will only deflect attention from this actual failure for so long. Your empire is crumbling, Bezos. Pull the plug on this mess while you still can. Admit it was a mistake, you will be more respected for it.… Expand
17 of 154 users found this helpful17137
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0
WoudanSep 9, 2022
This show is an unholy union of soulless corporate greed, backwards tribal activism and absolute incompetence. It somehow seems very fitting, that those people think that buoyancy is things "looking up".
As a history enthusiast and hemaist IThis show is an unholy union of soulless corporate greed, backwards tribal activism and absolute incompetence. It somehow seems very fitting, that those people think that buoyancy is things "looking up".
As a history enthusiast and hemaist I also found the weapons and costumes appalling. The elves are wearing their ceremonial armor backwards!
I can't even talk about pace, narrative, dialogues, acting and so on, because all these things are simply non-existent. If you still for some reason want to know what happens in this abomination - just watch Disparu or some other reviewer summarizing it. Fair warning - get your over mittens and push the monitor out of punching range.… Expand
29 of 265 users found this helpful29236
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1
xaotixSep 10, 2022
This production can only be some money laundering scheme for some criminal group.
Because there is no other explanation for something so silly, poorly written and full of clichés.
Or the target audience is children up to 9 years old. It's aThis production can only be some money laundering scheme for some criminal group.
Because there is no other explanation for something so silly, poorly written and full of clichés.
Or the target audience is children up to 9 years old.
It's a shame to see Tolkien's legacy being used so sadly.

I would like to point out that for me I don't see any problems with the "woke" agenda. The best character so far is Durin's wife, Disa.

I tried to get my family to watch it, to maybe hear opinions from people who aren't fans of Tolkien's works and Peter Jackson's adaptations. My wife lost interest in the first thirty minutes and found the series too childish.… Expand
21 of 192 users found this helpful21171
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1
ThranduilselkSep 3, 2022
When they first announced this show I was puzzled because the Second Age is easily the least interesting period of Middle Earth's history. It is indeed the "middle child" of the Legendarium. But they promised big budgets and claimed loveWhen they first announced this show I was puzzled because the Second Age is easily the least interesting period of Middle Earth's history. It is indeed the "middle child" of the Legendarium. But they promised big budgets and claimed love for the lore. All that was pretty much exposed over the past few months witch clip after clip revealing a glaring ignorance of the themes of the original, not to mention the basic lore. It became obvious that even the characters from Tolkien were going to be radically altered. It also became obvious that much of the "story" would follow original characters, which makes no sense given that there are ample characters in the stories themselves. So the fact that the show is this bad is not really suprising. Beyond the obvious rejection of the lore and messages of Tolkien himself, it's undermined by awful writing, bad acting, and a convoluted, non-sensical "plot." Hard to see how something this disjointed could attract even non-Tolkien fans. None of the characters are likeable. The action scenes are about as fake as can be. Many of them look like something from the Sci-Fi Channel. They even contradict themselves. At one point we're told that orcs are multiplying everywhere. Soon thereafter, "no one has seen an orc for decades." So which is it?

Then there are the blatant SJW messages inserted throughout it. Why? If that's the story you want to tell, make up your own. There's no need to desecrate the work of a better writer that you so clearly don't understand. One can only hope people will want to read the books (beyond LOTR & Hobbit) and discover the real wonder of Middle Earth rather than settling for this bloated trash that is essentially the "tale of idiots, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."… Expand
19 of 174 users found this helpful19155
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1
SpyzorSep 3, 2022
Utterly boring ... wannabe Game of Thrones. Jumping & changing the actual story, irrelevant actors.
19 of 174 users found this helpful19155
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0
TheeDannyBSep 26, 2022
Bad writing, bad acting, bad directing.

Good CGI world Terrible interpretation of Tolkien's original story I imagine the writers only actually saw the film's not actually read any books.
20 of 184 users found this helpful20164
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0
CrowIrkSep 3, 2022
Tolkien's description of the elves is clear and accurate. "The elves were blonde, tall, slim and pale..." Similarly, dwarfs. Tolkien's universe is a clearly planned world, it does not tolerate changes and edits, but you can show something inTolkien's description of the elves is clear and accurate. "The elves were blonde, tall, slim and pale..." Similarly, dwarfs. Tolkien's universe is a clearly planned world, it does not tolerate changes and edits, but you can show something in the film in a slightly different way, but by changing the fundamental things they destroy this universe, elves, these are creatures like God's angels, they are perfect in everything, and they have no differences, neither bodily nor color. By making the elf black, they break the concept of an ideal unified society that personifies the elf society.… Expand
19 of 175 users found this helpful19156
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1
MrMukSep 8, 2022
Why do this, then to hide the rating and make excuses to everyone? So funny.
16 of 148 users found this helpful16132
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2
Gibbo5885Sep 5, 2022
It slow boring and no direction. Look at lord of the rings for quality writing not this garbage.
16 of 148 users found this helpful16132
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1
Invertex1Sep 3, 2022
Extremely bland and generic plot. Characters are uninteresting and the few that are established characters don't behave as expected. The audio design is absolutely abysmal. I know Hollywood is famous for its questionable decisions regardingExtremely bland and generic plot. Characters are uninteresting and the few that are established characters don't behave as expected. The audio design is absolutely abysmal. I know Hollywood is famous for its questionable decisions regarding audio design these days, but this is just rediculous . The difference between the action scenes and talking scenes is so extreme that even with me constantly adjusting the remote, I still couldn't really hear the talking scenes and the action scenes were blasting my ears to the point of pain. I ended up enabling subtitles just to try and get a comfortable viewing experience. Definitely the worst audio design I have seen in modern film. Some of the visuals are nice, but others seem out of play or sparse. I'm giving this 1 point above 0 for the visuals, but they are far from a saving grace. I don't know how much money was spent making this, but it was far too much.… Expand
19 of 176 users found this helpful19157
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0
Eng24Sep 3, 2022
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Dialogues, characters, actors, story, and somehow the graphics are really bad. Everythings looks like a disney fantasy adventure, where you see a lot of action and kinda super power ability. Everythings have to be spectacular. There is no emphasis on an interesting story background.… Expand
19 of 176 users found this helpful19157
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3
MikiDuSep 6, 2022
3 just for graphic.
It looks close to unreal engine 5 demos and I like UE5. So just with love to graphic.
Regarding music... I don't know. Was there some music? I didn't recall after 2 series. Regrading dialogues. First of its hard to3 just for graphic.
It looks close to unreal engine 5 demos and I like UE5. So just with love to graphic.
Regarding music... I don't know. Was there some music? I didn't recall after 2 series.
Regrading dialogues. First of its hard to understand who is parents and who is child. Amazon please add labels.
Then story. Well, I'd like to know more about hobbit story, but I absolutely don't like elves story. Could

So over all. There was no action (except 1 episode with galadriel). Was no atmosphere. It looks like "Friends" in Tolkien world)… Expand
16 of 149 users found this helpful16133
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1
reviewfrommewheSep 3, 2022
Oddly paced and boring. Visuals, which some say make it "worth it", were to me nothing special. Acting bad, writing bad. **** unattractive elves, emo Dwarves (you missed my wedding so break rocks Elrond!), dopey and filthy not-Hobbits eatingOddly paced and boring. Visuals, which some say make it "worth it", were to me nothing special. Acting bad, writing bad. **** unattractive elves, emo Dwarves (you missed my wedding so break rocks Elrond!), dopey and filthy not-Hobbits eating slugs. I am not sure what it is other than a waste of a billion dollars. It's certainly not Tolkien, or even good generic fantasy fiction.… Expand
19 of 177 users found this helpful19158
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0
sternoneSep 4, 2022
What a dissapointment. I feel so sad for myself of waiting so long for something this badly acted.
19 of 177 users found this helpful19158
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1
ReaVitaSep 3, 2022
It has been sad so far. The first episode has been superficial overall. You can easily predict what is going to happen and what the characters are supposed to do. The choice of actors was done for the sake of "diversity" and not for actualIt has been sad so far. The first episode has been superficial overall. You can easily predict what is going to happen and what the characters are supposed to do. The choice of actors was done for the sake of "diversity" and not for actual diversity. This show could have been so much more.… Expand
20 of 187 users found this helpful20167
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0
levywhySep 8, 2022
Tolkien does not like these kind of lore destruction in the series. Galadriel is like a fanfiction character that lacks proper development. Like swoosh damn she waited to kill that troll when the whole elven men gets destroyed first. “EvilTolkien does not like these kind of lore destruction in the series. Galadriel is like a fanfiction character that lacks proper development. Like swoosh damn she waited to kill that troll when the whole elven men gets destroyed first. “Evil cannot create anything new, they can only corrupt and ruin good forces have invented or made” - JRR Tolkien… Expand
17 of 159 users found this helpful17142
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0
JK666Sep 4, 2022
This show is clearly trying to destroy a masterpiece. Do not waste your time with this, go for the books or the lord of the rings trilogy.
19 of 178 users found this helpful19159
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3
LeJeanJeanSep 3, 2022
J'vais essayer de faire une récap' du nombre d'emmerdes que cette série ce tape et qu'elle va continuer de ce taper.
1. Non respect du travail de Tolkien et cela non sans un mépris uniquement égalé par l'ignorance de ceux derrière cetteJ'vais essayer de faire une récap' du nombre d'emmerdes que cette série ce tape et qu'elle va continuer de ce taper.
1. Non respect du travail de Tolkien et cela non sans un mépris uniquement égalé par l'ignorance de ceux derrière cette série.
2. Amazon N'A PAS les droits du SDA/Hobbit/Silmarillon, juste les droits d'une collection de notes de Tolkien. Ils n'ont donc pas le droit de cité des choses ce passant dans ces bouquin, ce qui va détériorer la clarté du récit et des évènements.
3. Elf africain/d'Harad lointaine. Ridicule et forcé car tous les elfes sont décrit comme ceux présenté dans les films de Peter Jackson, c'est à dire avec des visages assez fin, européens et avec les cheveux longs. De plus ils viennent tous d'une population assez limité en nombre et du même endroit géographique à la base. Il n'y a jamais d'autres elfes que ces derniers, c'est pas Donjon&Dragon/Pathfinder avec des demi-elfes du sud ou des elfes africains comme dans Shadowrun et c'est pas parce qu'il y en dans ces univers-là qu'il peut ou doit y en avoir ici. 4. Pareil pour les hobbit. C'est pas parce que Tolkien n'a pas précisé "Il n'y pas de hobbit africain" qu'il faut ce sentir obligé d'en rajouté. La consistance ethniques chez des population dans un univers fictif a de l'importance et si vous vous en foutez tant mieux pour vous mais vos standards claqués ne regarde que vous(à bon entendeur).
4.5. Apparemment Elrond est gay maintenant. Allez demander à l'acrtice de Galadrielle, vous allez pas êtré déçu du choix de langage. 5. Ce n'est pas une "adaptation". Ici la régle de "Do not repair what is not broken/Ne répare pas ce qui n'est pas cassé" ou simple "Ne touche à des choses qui n'ont pas besoin de l'être" n'est absolument pas respecté. C'est même PIRE vu qu'ils font volontairement apparaitre des peuples à des moments ou ils ne devraient pas, condensent des évènements qu'ils ne devraient pas alors qu'il y amplement la place de créer quelques chose d'original à d'autre endroit au même moment. Il y a des limites en toutes choses et ces dernières ont été largement dépassés.
5. Les films de Jackson était très peu fidèle sur certains aspect(Gimlie, The scouring of the Shire, etc) mais avaient la qualité d'être de bon divertissement et bien réalisés. De plus Jackson et son équipe n'avait pas ce genre de mépris envers Tolkien et son travail. Pas de tokenism, les grandes lignes étaient suivie en grande majorité, pas d'insultes envers le publique et le dévoiement des personnages n'étaient pas aussi horrible ou abusé.
6. Nombre de sortie des acteurs et d'une partie de l'équipe marketing de cette série laisse assez peu de doute sur leurs intentions racistes, belliqueuses et méprisantes à l'égard du travail de Tolkien et des gens qui apprécient son travail. Oui nan mais désolé, généralement prendre de la fierté à remplacé des populations d'un univers fictives parce que tu trouve qu'ils sont trop blanc/noir/jaune/uniforme c'est pas sensé être positif.
7. Cette volonté raciste de vouloir caser des "gens de couleurs" comme des pions ne plaira pas à tout le monde(désolé les gens, certains d'entre nous n'aimons pas trop les manipulateurs racistes, le tokenism et la propagande raciale), surtout quand cela dévoie le travail de Tolkien. Comment certains appellent ca déjà ? De l'appropriation culturel ou du colonialisme culturel ? Bref.
8. D'après une partie des retours c'est surtout assez ennuyeux et l'écriture est assez grossière voir même de hors-de-propos à certains moments. 9. L'effort de chorégraphie des combats est... pas très bonne. Rien que la scène du troll ont dirait une scène de baston de Scary Movie, ca en fait des tonnes pour rien et c'est encore pire que le Legolas du Hobbit, un véritable exploit. 10. Belles images et bon son, cependant, au même titre que l'outrage qu'Amazon cherche à provoqué, cela ne portera la série qu'un certain temps. 11. Les costumes, y'a un certaine effort pour qu'ils aient une apparence "ancienne" ou "antique", cependant est-ce que quelqu'un sait ou est passé le budget pour du coup ? 12. L'acting c'est en dent-de-scie. Que ce soit une mauvaise direction ou les acteurs eux-même j'entend. Galadrielle à certain moment a la même énergie que Gretta Tumberg, nan mais vraiment il fallait le faire. La naine africaine est correcte mais encore une fois elle est aussi bien choisie que Jet Li pour jouer Shaka Zulu. Y'a quand même un certain gachi.

Ce machin n'est ni le Silmarillon, ni le SDA, ni le Hobbit ni quoi que ce soit de Tolkien. Si une adaptation a très peu en commun avec la travail originel alors c'est qu'elle n'est en rien ce qu'elle prêtent être. Les mots ont un sens, une définition et il y a des limites en toutes choses. Ces dernières ont été largement dépassés pour pouvoir qualifier ce travail comme prenant place dans l'univers de Tolkien.… Expand
19 of 178 users found this helpful19159
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1
RagnosSep 3, 2022
Garbage series that hates Tolkien and loves Twitter mob psychos. Say goodbye to that 1B dollars.
20 of 188 users found this helpful20168
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0
marcuskorsoSep 9, 2022
I really had high hopes for this show. Bringing to tv a new aspect of middle earth history.
The show is beautiful, expensive. The characters and their dialogues are blend and empty. This is not a story of the Second age of middle earth. TheyI really had high hopes for this show. Bringing to tv a new aspect of middle earth history.
The show is beautiful, expensive. The characters and their dialogues are blend and empty. This is not a story of the Second age of middle earth. They do not even respect the chronology written in the appendices of the Lord of the Rings. I wanted to witness the forging of the rings as Tolkien envisioned it. This is a bad fan fiction mixing timelines and events, rewriting characters' stories. I am sad.… Expand
20 of 188 users found this helpful20168
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3
LeftTwixWandSep 3, 2022
WTF is going on here? I put 2 for amazing graphics, and one for interesting plot, but the atmosphere worth nothing. Seriously, black elves? What a shame!! Dwarf queen without a beard?! Sir John Tolkien would cry for such stupidity. If youWTF is going on here? I put 2 for amazing graphics, and one for interesting plot, but the atmosphere worth nothing. Seriously, black elves? What a shame!! Dwarf queen without a beard?! Sir John Tolkien would cry for such stupidity. If you want to add more black persons - just create your own Wakanda, which will be logical to have a black nation in the tropic climate, but don't destroy the atmosphere for **** tolerance. This is the shame!!!!!! Don't even know, would I like see the next episodes, or I'm enough with this circus...… Expand
19 of 179 users found this helpful19160
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0
DarkKnight9Sep 10, 2022
Sad to see anyone who doesn't think this is the best show on TV called a bot or racist. No actually, most people just want to enjoy a quality production like the LOTR movies were. And this is just flashy, poorly written fan fiction. It evenSad to see anyone who doesn't think this is the best show on TV called a bot or racist. No actually, most people just want to enjoy a quality production like the LOTR movies were. And this is just flashy, poorly written fan fiction. It even makes the disappointing Hobbit Trilogy appear incredible by comparison. Amazon have just embarrassed themselves.… Expand
19 of 179 users found this helpful19160
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3
BuggiesdaddySep 7, 2022
This my first time ever leaving a review for a show but I felt compelled to say something. If you are a fan of the books then don't watch this show! It will only make you angry of all the changes and this is not Tolkien.
20 of 189 users found this helpful20169
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0
MetalcamperSep 5, 2022
Elves look like they should wrap gifts for santa, actors are awful, their dresses look horrible, cities are just shown from 40km away, shots are horrible, cgi is bad, music is completely without feeling and horrible in all aspects, monstersElves look like they should wrap gifts for santa, actors are awful, their dresses look horrible, cities are just shown from 40km away, shots are horrible, cgi is bad, music is completely without feeling and horrible in all aspects, monsters look like they put all stuff they could remember on them, little not-hobits are id****c and pointless. There are like 17483 stories evolving at the same time with no point what so ever... Horrible horrible horrible, not that i expected anything else but still... They should just make their own series something like turds of amazon and everything would be okay, but to disrespect Tolkiens work like this... Sad, disrespectfull and overall horrible...… Expand
32 of 304 users found this helpful32272
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2
Shrik3Sep 10, 2022
OK rating this 0 stars is ridiculous and politically motivated in my opinion. The reality is that fantasy stories are based on the distant past so generally you wouldn't have different races in a small isolated village. So essentially it isOK rating this 0 stars is ridiculous and politically motivated in my opinion. The reality is that fantasy stories are based on the distant past so generally you wouldn't have different races in a small isolated village. So essentially it is something that is forced into the plot as opposed to making sense within a plot. Game of thrones dealt with race in a different way, a way that made sense.. Anyway I'm no closet racist, like I suspect a lot of these reviews have been written by or obsessed with Tolkien lore purity my rating is about the 2 episodes I have seen so far. I didn't like the first episode, especially the scene where a troll is killed by Galadriel, instead of showing her being a good leader and working to fight to face the threat there is a ridiculous scene where the 2 main protagonists do some circus trick to kill the beast while essentially Elven Special Forces are killed because they are not the main characters?! It's lazy and bad writing. The second episode improves more so because it takes advantage of the enormous budget to show some very impressive Hollywood quality scenes but again it's let down by bad writing, and odd design decisions, the Dwarves are just ridiculous, the ridiculous fake Irish accents of the proto Hobbits are pathetic, I literally heard one actress slip from RP (posh English) to a terrible Irish accent in one sentence, the directors are clearly all American and have no ears for authentic accents. LENNY Henry, the Iranian actress as well as the man who plays the Sylvan Elf are standouts in that their acting seems authentic even if they don't have much to go on in terms of dialogue however I can honestly say that I did not like the acting of any of the other characters especially the main protagonist and don't start me on the Dwarves,I hope this improves, I would recommend that people who enjoy flashy special effects, children or people who just want a bit of mindless escapism to watch this, but considering the source material and the budget this is a major disappointment which pales into significance in comparison to the Game of Thrones prequel which is well acted and character driven as well as actually making you think and remember scenes.. My problems are mainly with the acting and the dare I say ridiculous stereotypes used in the film which make a lot of scenes ridiculous to watch.… Expand
21 of 201 users found this helpful21180
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1
namelessSep 8, 2022
I would have to agree with the consensus. My review is based on the first two, and that is all the time I can waste on this. For me it is a giant talk-fest, the lighting looks theatrical, not natural at all (breaks the 4th wall), and theI would have to agree with the consensus. My review is based on the first two, and that is all the time I can waste on this. For me it is a giant talk-fest, the lighting looks theatrical, not natural at all (breaks the 4th wall), and the makeup just looks stuck on. Ridiculous. I had to give it a 1 because they spent so much money on it. I can't imagine anyone who worked on this, putting it on their resume.… Expand
16 of 155 users found this helpful16139
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0
popopoooSep 6, 2022
Just woke leftie garbage, really disrespected everything there is to like about LOTR
19 of 185 users found this helpful19166
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0
kizior3kSep 4, 2022
Zero Tolkiena, strata czasu. Po tym co widziałem, nie mam ochoty na dalsze oglądanie serialu.
Amazon tylko zmarnował pieniądze.
19 of 185 users found this helpful19166
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1
rob919191Sep 3, 2022
Visually it looks fantastic but at the heart and soul of it it is empty and swallow and doesn’t feel like Tolkien at all.
18 of 176 users found this helpful18158
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3
LionaeronSep 10, 2022
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Do yourself a favor and watch the witcher instead. I didn't mind the first 2 episodes of ring of power because i understand world building and introducing characters, but nothing is happening even after 3 episodes, contrast that to the witcher after 3 episodes and holy **** - Geralt is already the butcher of blaviken, taken on a princess striga, saved by Triss Merigold and spared by the elf king Filavandrel. Ciri arrives at brokilon forest after fleeing Cintra and Yennefer has already gone from a pig feeding hermit to the beautiful, powerful strong willed sorceress that we know and love.

Like i didn't expect it to be on the level of the witcher or to be on it's level for pacing but geez you need to have me invest in something, teasing me with celebrimbor for 10 seconds isn't enough.… Expand
19 of 186 users found this helpful19167
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0
GurthugSep 7, 2022
0 because the pacing is awful! 2 hours in and nothing has happened! That's a whole lotr movie! Also the Elves are shockingly bad. House of the Dragon has beaten it hands down (it's LOTR! It should be the best show ever made and it utterly fails!).
19 of 186 users found this helpful19167
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0
Cavalry414Sep 10, 2022
This is the first time I have ever felt compelled to write a review for a TV show. This show is an abomination. Terrible acting. Terrible story. Terrible SFX. Terrible characters. Terrible adaptation through and through.
19 of 186 users found this helpful19167
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0
GoodlibationsSep 10, 2022
It began with the forging of the Great Films. Three hours were given to the Fellowship, captivating, intriguing and finest of all trilogy beginnings. Three hours to the Two Towers, a film with action, love, and hope. And three, three moreIt began with the forging of the Great Films. Three hours were given to the Fellowship, captivating, intriguing and finest of all trilogy beginnings. Three hours to the Two Towers, a film with action, love, and hope. And three, three more hours were gifted to the Return, which above all else delivered a satisfying conclusion. For within these films were bound the true spirit of Tolkien and a celebration of humanity's compassion. But they were all of them deceived, for another film was made. Deep in the land of Amazon, in the Fires of Prime, the Dark Lord Jeff Bezos forged a show, and into this show he poured his cruelty, his malice and his will to dominate all media.

One show to rule them all.

One by one, the free lands of the internet fell to the power of the show, but there were some who resisted. A last alliance of non-bots and Tolkien fans marched against the armies of Amazon, and on the very slopes of Prime, they fought for the freedom of the internet. Victory was near, but the power of the show could not be undone. It was in this moment, when all hope had faded, that House of the Dragon, son of HBO, took up his father's sword.

Jeff Bezos, enemy of the free peoples of the internet, was defeated. The show passed to House of the Dragon, who had this one chance to destroy evil forever, but the hearts of showrunners are easily corrupted. And the show has a will of its own. It betrayed House of the Dragon, to his death.

And some ratings that should not have been forgotten were lost. History became legend. Legend became myth. And for two and a half thousand years, the show passed out of all knowledge. Until, when chance came, it ensnared another watcher.

It came to the creature Elon, who took it deep into the tunnels of Twitter. And there it consumed him. The show gave to Elon unnatural long life. For five hundred years it poisoned his mind, and in the gloom of Elon's cave, it waited. Darkness crept back into the forests of the world. Rumor grew of a shadow on IMDB, whispers of brigading, and the show perceived its time had come. It abandoned Elon, but then something happened that the show did not intend. It was picked up by the most unlikely creature imaginable: a supposed troll, Critical Drinker, of Youtube.

For the time will soon come when trolls will shape the fortunes of all.… Expand
19 of 186 users found this helpful19167
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0
MustafasharifiSep 4, 2022
I am a middle eastern, I dont belive in racism not I am sexist and I write what I feel is wrong with Rings of Power. first of all, races of middle earth are completely changed in this serie. Elves are not wise and without glory and are mostlyI am a middle eastern, I dont belive in racism not I am sexist and I write what I feel is wrong with Rings of Power. first of all, races of middle earth are completely changed in this serie. Elves are not wise and without glory and are mostly human than elves. orcs are completely different. single fighters who come from undergrounds! and hobbits are some few scared creatures that hide weirdly. and about this two episodes: Galadriel, seeking reveng for handred years and cant fight Sauron. she goes to a cave with an Elite groups of elves soldiers that all smashed by a troll and suddenly Galadriel comes and kills troll with some sophisticated attacks! Elrond is a fool politican. Elves haircuts are like Humans in 21th century. actors have no feeling in their acts. you cant say: ok I like this actor or his/her role. dilogues are so bad and you cant see any wittness in them. why would a little hobbit should think she has a responsibilty for a fallen man from sky? the dilogue in that scene is so awfull when 2 hobbit girls talking about that giant. a kid and a healer woman, kill a orc wich an Elite Elf worrior is scaping from. why a fallen man from sky with lots of skills and knoledge can speaks any language and acts like a fool from stone age. I think it s the worst adaptation that anyone can build from a book. I wish a day comes back when Studios stop making movies for their political agandas. instead of that much money on visuals, they should waste some for writers and cast.… Expand
19 of 186 users found this helpful19167
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1
zyzololSep 7, 2022
Don't waste your time.

Slow and Boring.
Mediocre Writing.
Unremarkable Acting.

AMAZON do what they do best --- destroy things people love.
19 of 187 users found this helpful19168
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0
zerobaneSep 7, 2022
"You cannot pass! Soulless adaptation that destroyed a legacy. Episodes drag on forever with zero storyline or plots points; the character intros spans about an hour and is done so poorly done you end up just feeling lost. The lore changes"You cannot pass! Soulless adaptation that destroyed a legacy. Episodes drag on forever with zero storyline or plots points; the character intros spans about an hour and is done so poorly done you end up just feeling lost. The lore changes are forced in to fit a certain agenda; even my wife who is not a Tolkien fan was screaming at the TV. Spoiler for the woke-loons; sci-fi fantasy was woke way before your time, you don't need to destroy the genre.

Welp; good way to burn 465 million dollars; I see imdb is deleting negative reviews as fast as possible, imagine someone must be held accountable for wasting a 1/2 billion dollars on their personal politics. The response is basically its our fault for being Tolkien fans. Shame on you J.A. Bayona.… Expand
19 of 187 users found this helpful19168
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0
StachSep 5, 2022
Blatant disrespect for the source material, poor incompetent storytelling, completely uninteresting characters, constant attempts to parasitize on the film trilogy with an inept attempts to add something of their own – so a rather beautifulBlatant disrespect for the source material, poor incompetent storytelling, completely uninteresting characters, constant attempts to parasitize on the film trilogy with an inept attempts to add something of their own – so a rather beautiful image leaves indifferent. Simply, this is not Tolkien, as well as not worthwhile cinema.… Expand
19 of 187 users found this helpful19168
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0
6d7770Sep 4, 2022
Takes a hatchet to the history and characters of Middle Earth. Amazingly disrespectful of Tolkein. Why pay so much money for rights to material you are going to treat this way?

No matter how much Amazon spends to drown out critical reviews,Takes a hatchet to the history and characters of Middle Earth. Amazingly disrespectful of Tolkein. Why pay so much money for rights to material you are going to treat this way?

No matter how much Amazon spends to drown out critical reviews, this series will ultimately be judged on its lack of merit.… Expand
19 of 187 users found this helpful19168
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0
DaisyDukeSep 4, 2022
Terribly boring, non-canonical fan fiction. Visuals and music are passable. Costumes, writing, dialogue, pacing, lore-keeping, and virtue signaling at its worst. Acting is vapid and passionless. It's a steaming pile of garbage with Tolkien'sTerribly boring, non-canonical fan fiction. Visuals and music are passable. Costumes, writing, dialogue, pacing, lore-keeping, and virtue signaling at its worst. Acting is vapid and passionless. It's a steaming pile of garbage with Tolkien's name slapped on top. A Soulless cash grab. A stain on Tolkiens name. This should have been aborted at conception. These show runners couldn’t write their way out of a high school critical thinking class. How dare they claim it’s their time to write this beloved ip. Amazon sucks.

Also, it’s not review bombing to voice criticisms and displeasure with a show. In contrast, all you people positively reviewing this dumpster fire to counteract this supposed negative review bombing are taking part in your own review bombing. Bunch of hypocritical bootlickers. Get your tongues out of Bezos’ chocolate starfish.… Expand
38 of 377 users found this helpful38339
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0
heloheSep 7, 2022
Not really sure why this should be called "Lord of the Rings" at all. Just call it something else. As a LotR series it deserves 0 points. And what's up with the grading of the video? The colors look washed out and the contrast is all wrong.Not really sure why this should be called "Lord of the Rings" at all. Just call it something else. As a LotR series it deserves 0 points. And what's up with the grading of the video? The colors look washed out and the contrast is all wrong. The CGI looks like from some cheap computer game form 2000. Everyone in the series seems to be a jerk. Very much in contrast to anything Tolkien.… Expand
15 of 150 users found this helpful15135
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0
Adam1972Sep 10, 2022
Indecent! Characters with zero charisma, offended by Tolkien's writings, incredibly boring. Failed
18 of 182 users found this helpful18164
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0
kytosanSep 10, 2022
Utterly disappointed. I thought the Hobbit movies were bad but this takes the cake. Tolkien was known for his detail for world building. Gen Z haircuts and female dwarves who act like 90s sitcom wives and plastic looking armor just flies inUtterly disappointed. I thought the Hobbit movies were bad but this takes the cake. Tolkien was known for his detail for world building. Gen Z haircuts and female dwarves who act like 90s sitcom wives and plastic looking armor just flies in the face of that.… Expand
18 of 186 users found this helpful18168
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0
Jazzi287Sep 11, 2022
This isn't Tolkien. I just wanted a good story from this wonderful fantasy world. Unfortunately this is full of fanfiction characters and bad dialogue. Galadriel is a typical girl boss which means she's a witch to everyone and everything.This isn't Tolkien. I just wanted a good story from this wonderful fantasy world. Unfortunately this is full of fanfiction characters and bad dialogue. Galadriel is a typical girl boss which means she's a witch to everyone and everything. It's just so tiring that they've ruined this amazing source material...… Expand
18 of 186 users found this helpful18168
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0
JammeySep 3, 2022
Its soo horrible what they make from Tolkien book. Big disappointing, that legacy of Tolkien is become today.
I don't see a reason to even comment he details of the series, because its gonna took AGES..
29 of 300 users found this helpful29271
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1
k3nw74Sep 8, 2022
Watched ep1 and half of ep2...couldn't finish. Poorly written and completely off lore. Poor acting outside of a few, and seems the men are cowards or idiots.
23 of 238 users found this helpful23215
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0
AnnaKennedySep 11, 2022
The Rings of Power is a terrible representation of Tolkien's Legendarium. It is filled with horrible writing, lackluster dialogue, dislikable characters, and forced plot. Amazon was not faithful to Tolkien's world. They rewrote the charactersThe Rings of Power is a terrible representation of Tolkien's Legendarium. It is filled with horrible writing, lackluster dialogue, dislikable characters, and forced plot. Amazon was not faithful to Tolkien's world. They rewrote the characters they used and removed others that are essential to the story. For example, Celeborn, Galadriel's husband, is nowhere to be found. Not only did they destroy Tolkien's characters, they disrespected him enough to insert their own. They even went so far as to create entirely new races that so not exist in the Legendarium. In addition to annihilating his characters, they abolished the lore and history. As if it wasn't bad enough to destroy and twist the source material, they ignore one of the most basic fundamentals of story SHOW DON'T TELL. At every turn they deliver exposition and description where they should trust the audience to deduce from what they SEE.

In short, an absolute disaster. Not only is it unfaithful to Tolkien it is a terrible show in general. Amazon is not trying to tell a fantastical story but to impose its ideologies into one of the greatest stories in history.… Expand
18 of 187 users found this helpful18169
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1
Monax308Sep 4, 2022
Disrespect for lore, excessive dominance of LGBT, slow narration, the plot is about nothing, the clumsy play of the actors, parasitizing on a franchise, disregard for the opinion of the community, inflated timing. Special effects plus point.Disrespect for lore, excessive dominance of LGBT, slow narration, the plot is about nothing, the clumsy play of the actors, parasitizing on a franchise, disregard for the opinion of the community, inflated timing. Special effects plus point. The work of artists - plus point. My result: 2 out of 10. (By the way, Peter Jackson was also sent to hell, here, too, in fairness, it’s worth removing the point)
Justice.… Expand
36 of 376 users found this helpful36340
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0
Mcgreen_21Sep 23, 2022
A total disaster of a movie, poor writing teams up with the woke crusade to make a billion dollar dumpster fire.
21 of 220 users found this helpful21199
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0
vladb8Sep 9, 2022
Very poorly written storyline. Just boring. I don't mind that the story is not compatible with the books, but it is not interesting to watch.
17 of 178 users found this helpful17161
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1
Reineman5194Sep 9, 2022
I really wanted to like this show. As someone who has studied and written about the interplay between different mediums, and as a lifelong Tolkien fan, I was excited to see what Amazon Studios would offer.

That said, I am extremelyI really wanted to like this show. As someone who has studied and written about the interplay between different mediums, and as a lifelong Tolkien fan, I was excited to see what Amazon Studios would offer.

That said, I am extremely disappointed. One would not think this is the ‘most expensive TV series of all time’. Where did all the money go? It doesn’t take half a billion dollars to pump out some impressive CGI. For writing, wardrobe and props, story development, and casting, it looks like they spent the bare minimum.

At first viewing, the impressive visuals serve to obscure the bad writing, but after you’ve had time to let it sink in, you realize how poor it is. You have little parables, like the already infamous ‘floating boat’ scene, that are stretching for profound meaning but fall far short and end up confusing. It’s the equivalent of a poorly written comic book or school play. Then there is writing that is lazy or out of place in an ancient/mythic setting. Think use of the word, ‘ok’, or Elrond’s cutesy, “why didn’t you say so.” Or, “you smell like an orc” (do ethereal being like elves stink?). I thought some of the best writing came in the Harfoot scenes (‘The Sky is Strange!’), but they are all speaking those lines with an odd southern Irish accent.

The wardrobe, sets, and props are of inconsistent quality, at best. Some costumes are passable, some look like they were 3D printed and made out of plastic or cheap metal. Again, at first viewing some of the sets look fantastic, but later you realize they felt sort of empty and lifeless, like you could tell they were shot in a warehouse studio. The hair choices for the elves is baffling. Why anyone thought it was appropriate to feature barbershop fades, buzz cuts, and pompadours with copious hair product is beyond me. Bear McCreary’s score is passable but does not thus far have the range and grandeur of Howard Shore’s LOTR. The acting is also a confusing mixed-bag. Once again, at first viewing it seems passable, but something still feels off. Only upon second viewing or later reflection do you realize that the elves (especially Morfydd Clark’s Galadriel) are wooden and expressionless. If you compare with the acting in Jackson’s LOTR, it is crystal clear that the acting quality is simply not there in Rings of Power. One might be tempted to think that elves are supposed to be stoic and expressionless, but this could not be further from the truth! The truth is elves are supposed to more human than humans, almost, express more, emote more, simply be more bright and divine than humans ever could be. Peterson’s original trilogy did a fantastic job at capturing this, while Amazon studios failed miserably.

The casting follows the general theme of: wtf were they thinking? The supreme controversy, both contrived and genuine, about diverse casting is the least of the show’s problems. Though there have been perfectly valid arguments that inclusivity could have been artfully done through Rhun (analogous to Asia in Tolkien’s universe) and Harad (analogous to North Africa) storylines that intersected with those in Middle Earth and Numenor. As it stands, it is awkward and cheap tokenism, which used to be considered offensive to people of color.

Again, elves are supposed to have a timeless quality about them. In this show, Galadriel and Elrond look about forty human years younger than Celebrimbor, while all three are thousands of years old at this point in the story. Elves are supposed to be the fairest and most beautiful beings, some of whom seem to almost emit a holy light. The Rings of Power producers failed miserably at capturing this quality. Furthermore, where are the top class actors? Half a billion dollars couldn’t manage to bring in any recognizable actors?

The plot is jarring at times because there are simply too many events that flatly defy logic. In the first two episodes, a character jumps off a ship in the middle of a huge ocean with the prospect of swimming at least a thousand miles to land with no plan or guidance. Characters are shown arriving at a destination hundreds of miles away without equipment, guides, or horses, as if they got there while taking a leisurely morning stroll. Supposed elite elven warriors are made into hapless bowling pins for an ice troll. These add up and really hinder the ability to suspend disbelief. All this ultimately amounts to a humongously baffling missed opportunity. Seriously, it makes almost no sense! It seems like this show was rushed to the cutting room floor without any edits, reshoots, or recastings. One can only surmise that the producers thought they could ride the wave of goodwill that the Lord of the Rings name carries without putting the care, time, and hard work necessary to create a good final product.… Expand
15 of 157 users found this helpful15142
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1
burke5Sep 6, 2022
My girlfriend forced me to watch this show and every single scene was horrible. The writing was obviously forced through a meat grinder by 20 producers who wrote some horrible fan fiction. Tolkien is rolling in his grave.
15 of 159 users found this helpful15144
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0
JRRbeatsbezosSep 9, 2022
It's like they went out of their way to depart from what Tolkien actually wrote. What's worse is the dialog seems to have been written by a drunk teenager. Tolkien would have been livid to see his life's work reduced to this utterIt's like they went out of their way to depart from what Tolkien actually wrote. What's worse is the dialog seems to have been written by a drunk teenager. Tolkien would have been livid to see his life's work reduced to this utter charletonry.

This is a teenage soap opera, and a bad one at that.… Expand
16 of 170 users found this helpful16154
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0
DarkIndigo88Sep 10, 2022
Terrible. Only good thing are visuals and that is where all they budget went.
17 of 184 users found this helpful17167
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0
eluthingol333Sep 12, 2022
My God. Where to begin. Elrond "career politician"? Random kid wielding Morgoth-era paraphernalia (did they invent a new version of the one ring)? Galadriel finding sci-fi installations in the deep north (x-men crossover)? (Princess) kidMy God. Where to begin. Elrond "career politician"? Random kid wielding Morgoth-era paraphernalia (did they invent a new version of the one ring)? Galadriel finding sci-fi installations in the deep north (x-men crossover)? (Princess) kid Galadriel being mocked by fellow elven children? Dwarves portrayed as buffoons? Proto-hobbits and meteor-man, is this stranger things? Galadriel swimming across an ocean? Unclear where is the bottom of the cringe-well. This is b-movie tolkien knockoff sci-fi crap.… Expand
17 of 184 users found this helpful17167
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2
RagnocaneSep 6, 2022
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I watched the first 3 episodes and I was really disappointed. The show was boring with poor dialogues, the costumes, wigs and make up wasn't the best. Galadriel one of the main protagonist of the story is really unbearable and hateful. The music were fine but not on the same level of the previous movies of the lord of the ring. The cgi is good part the warg in episode 3.… Expand
24 of 261 users found this helpful24237
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0
KINGFISH9Sep 14, 2022
Absolute trash!I saw a lot of bad TV shows, but this one surpassed everyone, they could just mock the great author, and not disfigure his works.
17 of 185 users found this helpful17168
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1
tashkelevraSep 4, 2022
This show is a disgrace. An abomination. It takes the beautiful, finely woven fabric of Tolkien's writing and tears it apart, pours molten **** on the holes and calls it kintsugi. The dialogue is an insult to the watcher's intelligence, theThis show is a disgrace. An abomination. It takes the beautiful, finely woven fabric of Tolkien's writing and tears it apart, pours molten **** on the holes and calls it kintsugi. The dialogue is an insult to the watcher's intelligence, the acting is painful to watch, the story makes no sense. Worst way to spend 2 hours of your life.… Expand
17 of 185 users found this helpful17168
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0
waymirecSep 12, 2022
Just another paint-by-colors story with a focus on ideology and pushing an agenda over good story telling, while at the same time destroying the legacy of a beloved iconic series.
17 of 185 users found this helpful17168
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1
ToothlessFurySep 4, 2022
Does not feel like middle earth...
Elves with short haircuts...
Annoying, childish, unlikable main protagonist.
Badly written nonsensical dialogues.
People teleporting across huge distances, and etc... etc...
17 of 186 users found this helpful17169
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0
lukeakSep 14, 2022
I never liked to read as a kid until I read Tolkien, and I have loved to read ever since. Furthermore, Tolkien is practically one of the primary forefathers who invented the formula for what would become the fantasy genre. He’s not just anI never liked to read as a kid until I read Tolkien, and I have loved to read ever since. Furthermore, Tolkien is practically one of the primary forefathers who invented the formula for what would become the fantasy genre. He’s not just an author; he played an impactful role in history itself. Tolkien’s literature is not only studied in universities, but it has also laid the groundwork for thousands of fantasy writers to this day. Amazon using Tolkien’s writings for their own money making agenda is extremely disrespectful to Tolkien, his millions of fans, and to an entire subculture. However, what takes this situation to an entirely new level of disrespect is how people are bringing racism into it. The fact that people, Amazon included, have insinuated that we are being racist and misogynistic for disliking Rings of Power is such a horrible insult and so off base. A la verga! I find that personally insulting and enraging. How dare you insult people with such a horrible accusation without even knowing them. It’s so disgusting that Amazon has even tried to play this race card in order to avoid the real issue of how they have ruined one of history’s best writers, because they wanted to make bubble gum entertainment just to make money. They fired the Tolkien scholars when they wrote the script that’s all you need to know. Amazon…it’s shameful what you have done, and how you’re reacting to your mistake is even worse, shameful.… Expand
17 of 186 users found this helpful17169
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0
cruel_framesSep 12, 2022
Atrocious writing and absolutely insufferable main character, that is both Mary Sue and a Karen and constantly demands to "see the manager". With the money Amazon spend on this series, you would expect securing the commitment of establishedAtrocious writing and absolutely insufferable main character, that is both Mary Sue and a Karen and constantly demands to "see the manager". With the money Amazon spend on this series, you would expect securing the commitment of established actors or at the very least - competent writing. Writing and acting is what makes or breaks a show. Not budget, paid reviews or virtue signaling. You are not doing any favors to the "diverse" actors, if you put them in a disaster of a show with barely anything to work with.
While I am extremely disappointed with the show so far, I must give credit where it's due. Some of the CGI and cinematography is really good, unfortunately not enough to offset the horrible writing of the show.

P.S. Initially, I gave the show a 1 to reflect the superior production quality. However after seeing how the creators, instead of taking the overwhelming criticism to heart, started instead attacking their viewers by calling them bigots and racists, I am going for a score of 0. Do not waste your time.… Expand
20 of 221 users found this helpful20201
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1
Tural436Sep 9, 2022
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. They betrayed Tolkien literature.The script and character are very bad. There are a lot of logical errors in the script.… Expand
15 of 168 users found this helpful15153
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1
SlomoGotSkillsSep 8, 2022
Although the CGI and the general feel of the visuals are stunning and reminiscent of the LOTR movies , the addition of colored actors in every story arc and the warrior (?) Galadriel distracts the viewer that constantly questions is thisAlthough the CGI and the general feel of the visuals are stunning and reminiscent of the LOTR movies , the addition of colored actors in every story arc and the warrior (?) Galadriel distracts the viewer that constantly questions is this Tolkien or not and diminishes the immersion to the series imo. I'm not opposed to have colored actors play in fantasy movies or have strong heroic figures be females but I refuse to be spoon fed 'wokeness' and in a Tolkien show nevertheless… Expand
23 of 261 users found this helpful23238
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JayNowSep 10, 2022
First of all, I wanted this show to be good. I hoped it would be as good as LOTR, but that is too high of a goal, so I lowered my expectations. If I would lower it to match the level of quality of this show I would go through floor and findFirst of all, I wanted this show to be good. I hoped it would be as good as LOTR, but that is too high of a goal, so I lowered my expectations. If I would lower it to match the level of quality of this show I would go through floor and find myself six feet under.

That is also great depiction of entertainment contained in this show. Being burried six feet under would still be more fun, than this boring mess.

Casting was a failure, not because of inclusivity, but because of the unexperienced and dull actors. Some are good enough and others are worse than casting of corporate anti-sexual-harrasment videos.

Writing is unispired, boring, lazy and oh god disrespectfull. Nothing about Tolkien except the names. Total disrespect to the author and the fans, that by now adore his work for more than a half of the century.

CGI, special effects and such are mostly fine, but still seem like a mess, that force to wonder where all the money went.

Music is not fitting and just dissapointing.

Galadriel deserves few words on her own:
Nobody likes Karen behaviour, especially people who like Tolkiens work. Galadriel is portrayed as a arrogant, extremelly unlikable and nothing like in the books.

Lastly about the drama:
Fans aren't mad about the black, or whatever casting. Fans are mad, that amazon lazilly took existing thing and butchered it infront of them, just to make money. People are mad, that the books were thrown out of the window, because to this point every media around Tolkiens work inspired fans to take the book and submerge deeper into its lore. There is nothing Tolkien about this show. If it was made as a whole new show, some fans would loved this. It is just another, not-so-great fantasy show. Calling people racist because of their reviews is arrogant and stupid. Best thing to do, would be to scrap this mess and relaunch it next year with reworked story, effects, music and recasted few WHITE ELVES.… Expand
16 of 182 users found this helpful16166
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antialiasedSep 9, 2022
Abysmally bad writing, a glacial pace, and flashy CGI all tossed in a blender.
16 of 182 users found this helpful16166
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frankrunSep 14, 2022
The storyline is boring and implausible. Galadriel is a ridiculous joke - killed a cave troll in literally 5 seconds singlehandedly. Remember LOTR Fellowship of the Ring where the entire Fellowship including Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas,The storyline is boring and implausible. Galadriel is a ridiculous joke - killed a cave troll in literally 5 seconds singlehandedly. Remember LOTR Fellowship of the Ring where the entire Fellowship including Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Boromir, Gimli and a few hobbits together almost died by a single cave troll? Oh and she jumped off a ship and *swam across an ocean*. Everything is just utterly ridiculous and terrible writing. It makes Season 8 of GoT look like Shakespeare.… Expand
16 of 184 users found this helpful16168
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2
Limsanity733Sep 26, 2022
As Tolkien fan, I was excited to see Tolkien's work or some semblance of it come to life on screen. I am mindful that Amazon paid a lot of money to make this happen and given the current times and technicalities of what exactly they boughtAs Tolkien fan, I was excited to see Tolkien's work or some semblance of it come to life on screen. I am mindful that Amazon paid a lot of money to make this happen and given the current times and technicalities of what exactly they bought the rights to, I knew there would be deviation from canon (casting, non-canonical plotlines, etc) which I am fine with. I am also aware that Tolkien was a genius who spent decades shaping his world and lore and it would be quite unfair to expect writers of a TV series to match the quality work.

Yet, even with these caveats, I am completely perplexed to no end on how abysmal the writing for this series is given the reported cost per episode of about $60 million. It is so bad that no amount of fancy cgi and visual effects can mask this. I am left now wondering...where did all the money go? Is it that hard to spend a bit more on quality writing?

Here are some issues I have:
First, why would you cast a 5000+ year old Galadriel (one of the oldest elf still alive on Middle Earth at the time of the show) into the likes of a "tempestuous" teenage brat who has to be taught lessons on diplomacy from a 20-30 year old man...Really?

Second, there are simply too many storylines going on here for character development and for me to be invested in. I don't think the show so far would change at all if you dropped the Gandalf + Harfoot story line completely.

Third, I think the writers could have done much better by focusing on a few characters and explored the internal character struggles more in depth. For example, Elendil + Miriel's faithfulness in their belief in time of doubt and disavowment - why do they still cleave to the old ways? what sacrifices are they making to continue in their path? Another example could be SHOWING Halbrand's history in the Southlands and the horrible things he may have done more in depth first before meeting Galadriel instead of TELLING us. They try to do this with Elrond and Durin and Mithril but this whole plotline is not convincing to me. In contemplating some my points made above, I have to come to the conclusion that (1) such quality writing is not possible for TV. Games of Throne went to **** after they exhausted all of the source material; and (2) a faithful understanding and appreciation of the philosophy and spirit behind Tolkien's work which is Christian at its core is highly improbable in Hollywood today.… Expand
15 of 173 users found this helpful15158
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TheReviewer669Sep 13, 2022
Lord of the rings was an emotional experience during my adolescence. This is an empty shell that only bears an ever so superficial resemblance with it. The pervasive woke philosophy behind the film makes it even worse. Amazon should go backLord of the rings was an emotional experience during my adolescence. This is an empty shell that only bears an ever so superficial resemblance with it. The pervasive woke philosophy behind the film makes it even worse. Amazon should go back to selling books rather than try to hire creative people.… Expand
16 of 185 users found this helpful16169
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bashnia007Sep 14, 2022
Destroyed and abused the world of Middle-earth. I don't have anything against multicultural world in fantasy. And the Tolkien's books describe a lot of races. But they do it logically. If the creature (a dwarf) lives and works in mines, itDestroyed and abused the world of Middle-earth. I don't have anything against multicultural world in fantasy. And the Tolkien's books describe a lot of races. But they do it logically. If the creature (a dwarf) lives and works in mines, it isn't tall (try to work in a mine when you are 2 meters and thin), but strong. Dwarfs don't see a lot of sun in their mines, so there are white. What can we see in the TV Series? Black queen of dwarfs. How is it possible? The same with elfs. There was even a elf description in the books, that elfs are white. Do you know any elf from the South? You can make black characters. There were people on the South (Numenor, Gondor). 2 Wizards went to the South and East, they also can be black if you want. But it seems, showrunners even didn't read books. They wanted to show modern world using Tolkien's decorations, and you can't believe in it, because you understand, modern morale and modern traditions look artificial in this world. What will be next? Galadriel will use M16 and AK74?… Expand
16 of 185 users found this helpful16169
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johan401Sep 15, 2022
As a parody of a well established lore it is a great show. A bit pricy but dark lord bezos has deep pockets. As a serious tryout to create something meaningful its below pathetic. Should they spent at least half the amount on productionAs a parody of a well established lore it is a great show. A bit pricy but dark lord bezos has deep pockets. As a serious tryout to create something meaningful its below pathetic. Should they spent at least half the amount on production compared to marketing and buying positive reviews it would have been much more better than this abomination. Watch at your own risk!… Expand
16 of 185 users found this helpful16169
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0
NotTolkienSep 9, 2022
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Updated - Looks like Metacritic is getting 10/10 review bombed by Amazon paid shills. Here's a little something I noticed. If you take the "users found this helpful" section and assume that say 28 of the remaining 128 down votes are legitimate then 100 are Amazon shills (currently at 12 of 140 users found this helpful) you can get a better idea as to how many actual legitimate positive reviews there are (currently 329-100=229 legitimate reviewers). The reason this works is the down votes all came within a short period of time after posting this review. The down vote number increased by the same amount as the 10/10 positive reviews increased in that same time period.
I have watched the first 3 episodes and this show is just plain boring. There is no story to speak of. The plot advancement is extremely slow and convoluted. Most of the characters are one dimensional with cheesy dialog. The actor that plays Galadriel only has 2 facial expressions pissed off and smiling maniac. The CGI ranges from decent to pathetic. The bug eyed Warg in episode 3 is just laughable. After 3 episodes I cannot see it getting any better and if you add to this Amazon calling anyone with a negative review an istophobe makes this show not worth giving another chance. Amazon, 3 strikes you are out! I canceled my Prime membership and will be shopping elsewhere.… Expand
28 of 324 users found this helpful28296
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1
KzixSep 9, 2022
my god i am watching the episode 3 and most of the content is cringe. The top of the list is the scene of orc prison: prisonner behaving like they can make the rules then this riduculous debate about chopping down a tree... Garbage tv
15 of 174 users found this helpful15159
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1
GiovaniMenezesSep 3, 2022
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. " O fato de ser um mundo 'imaginário' não lhe dá qualquer direto de remodelá-lo de acordo com o seu gosto, mesmo que pudesse em poucos meses criar uma estrutura coerente que levei anos pra desenvolver".

J. R. R. Tolkien - Carta n° 190… Expand
38 of 443 users found this helpful38405
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1
AlfadasSep 7, 2022
On a meta level the development, marketing and now release of this series plays out like a greek tragedy akin to Icarus (has all the ingredients for greatness but turns out tragically). Personally, I'm in awe of Tolkien's life's work, lovedOn a meta level the development, marketing and now release of this series plays out like a greek tragedy akin to Icarus (has all the ingredients for greatness but turns out tragically). Personally, I'm in awe of Tolkien's life's work, loved the movie experience of the original Lord of the Rings, I had mixed feelings about the Hobbit and felt disheartened about this current project after the first episode. The added value seems to come in crisp shots of this beautiful world. But immersion was frequently broken by awkward dialogue and forced plot points. The team developing the story seemed to have a story in mind that they would like to tell and try to mix it with an existing great story in order to market their better. It feels like an unfortunate attempt of a cash grab, by piggy banking on the success of earlier great work (eg Tolkien, Peter Jackson). The focus seems to be on marketing and appealing to current cultural/political ideas instead of storytelling. In conclusion, if you like Tolkien's world, and would like to more content telling or expanding on his work, there is much better fan fiction on YouTube.… Expand
22 of 258 users found this helpful22236
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0
Josuelo789Sep 25, 2022
Pretty with some really nice location but story wise soooo boring. I'm 7 hours in an nothing really interesting has happened.
15 of 179 users found this helpful15164
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1
DOHmetacritic10Sep 10, 2022
While I am not a person who adheres to some arbitrary Tolkien fan standard - for the books nor the previous films - there is plenty to dislike with this series absent any other consideration. I have not watched the original films in decades,While I am not a person who adheres to some arbitrary Tolkien fan standard - for the books nor the previous films - there is plenty to dislike with this series absent any other consideration. I have not watched the original films in decades, but I remember them as being emotionally impactful and very long.

I will say this about the source material; this is probably the most beloved thing to people who like it, ever. The most towering example of a massive work that enraptured billions of people that has ever existed. If somebody is into this kind of stuff, it is basically the bible. So. Setting out to callously mine this fabled work and thinking you could improve on it, or ignore it, was blunt stupidity.

This new thing. It looks cheap. Period. Something this dependent on special effects better make sure the effects are special. As an old Ray Harryhausen fan I am a person who will watch a product just to enjoy the effects work. Not in this case. Almost all the scenes appear flat and artificial, as though they were wrapped in a blooming plastic. Badly conceptualized and poorly executed, and frequently over lit. If I were told this show were produced by the CW I would believe it.

There is one standout actor in the entire cast. There is a lot of overt face-making, which is not good when you're attempting to suspend disbelief in a silly place like Middle Earth. Inexplicable pauses and eyebrow work do not get the job done (Morfydd Clark seems particularly out of her depth and frantic). I don't need star power at all but there aren't any performers in this show that land, with the exception of Lenny Henry. He is memorable from the moment he appears and the production knows it. Otherwise the actors are cast precisely to "type" and behave as placeholders, delivering shorthand dialog that doesn't stick. There are some sidebar characters who are more interesting that the main cast. Three episodes in and I don't care about anyone's outcome. At this point I am rooting for the Orcs. They are at least clearly motivated and interesting.

I'm bored. And that is the overall problem. There is no weight to any of this. It's the worst thing it could be - Frivolous. It's a rushed experience but among the deluge there is no information to care about. If someone asked what ROP is about I could honestly say I'm not sure. Orcs? Or something. It's as though the people making this had a big movie bowl and tossed things into it without understanding what they represent - hurling "elements" at the audience is not the same thing as constructing a believable place and therein weaving a compelling tale. Oddly their aversion to the old books and movies has not stopped the new project from telling an almost identical story.

One would guess that this group of people got together and had a meeting, and sat around throwing ideas around, and saying things like "Orcs! These guys like Orcs!" or "Swords, we have to get a lot of swords and battles with yelling!", and definitely "Game of Thrones had dragons, let's get dragons!" Film makers either know what they're doing with this kind of High Fantasy world building or they don't. They don't. Also, publicly crapping on the original and the bajillion people who love it was also not a fantastic idea. I suppose that sums it up. Lord of the Rings / Rings of Power has a lot of not fantastic ideas.… Expand
15 of 181 users found this helpful15166
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3
nix1331Sep 15, 2022
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Having her jump off a ship in the middle of the ocean alone is also a lazy way to create suspense and action. Galadriel literally "jumping ship" to swim around in the ocean doesn't make sense unless you just want to create a damsel-in-distress moment and cram action scenes in your TV show.… Expand
18 of 219 users found this helpful18201
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1
WlladimirSep 10, 2022
"Tolkien is turning in his grave." Top G Elon Musk - Pretty much sums up my thoughts. Visually pleasing, that´s about it.
15 of 183 users found this helpful15168
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1
Clintf5Sep 10, 2022
After the fist episode I was extremely disappointed but still wanted it to get better. The second episode was a tiny bit better but still not worth watching. Now after the third episode, I’m starting to wonder why they released the series atAfter the fist episode I was extremely disappointed but still wanted it to get better. The second episode was a tiny bit better but still not worth watching. Now after the third episode, I’m starting to wonder why they released the series at all. I’m sure more than a few people lost their jobs over this. What an embarrassment.… Expand
15 of 183 users found this helpful15168
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madX93Sep 3, 2022
Amazon Studio has money but absolutely no talent or experience, I looked the show up on IMDb the site where Amazon has been deleting reviews, the site that they own, the show's writers have no previous or known works in writings other thanAmazon Studio has money but absolutely no talent or experience, I looked the show up on IMDb the site where Amazon has been deleting reviews, the site that they own, the show's writers have no previous or known works in writings other than this show and some other work that I have never heard of, written by Patrick McKay · John D. Payne, I have never heard of these guys until now. their past work is unknown to me, how do you choose your writers? I watched enough tv shows and movies that I can do better than this, this show is comedy, and cringe, a lot of time while watching I was laughing, I just couldn't take it seriously, the Heros of this show look so weak and always needs the help of others, especially (Galadriel) her height: 5' 3¾" (1.62 m) IRL she reminds me of Noot from Water World for some reason, they made her a lot like Deloris from West World she is always angry and looking for revenge and like to ride horses, if watch West World you would know what I mean, and she is always mumbling when she speaks to everyone why? Every time she speaks, she mumbles, she needs to yell like a hero would. I thought this show was comedy, especially the opening scene when they are fighting the orcs and then the guy is yelling and crying and the orc just hugging him instead of stabbing him. Give it to Netflix or Disney or Parmount or some other studio they are going do much better job and hire better people for the job, I grantee you. Thank God for Amazon for providing us with these cringe worthy moment and laughable moment like they "they took our jobs". I don't remember when Elden Rings the video game came out, but the show's writer played the game and said that it is, then went and watched The Hobbit, and the LOTR Trilogies, and flipped the books and said we are ready. Also, Arondir looks so weak and doesn't have enough thinking before planning.
This show is more misogynistic more than real life for instance the human absolutely has no strong leaders, only Elves and Dawrfs, that is the only way for human women to be a leader when there are no strong men around, another instance is the queen that her dad is dying that is the only reason she is the leader because she didn't have any brothers, another example is the opening Galadriel is fighting the giant in the Icey mountain the man put his sword for her so she can jump why she couldn't jump on her own? I will let the writers answer that.
The part of this series is when Amazon ghosted Peter Jackson and then stole every idea from his movies and put it in the show, like the mounting drone shots, the swords movement, the fighting scenes, the arrows shots, and so many others, if you have watched the movies, and match the scenes you would understand the similarities they are more like copy and paste, no creativity, or anything new introduced to the table, "… Expand
28 of 355 users found this helpful28327
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