Read Mixed User Reviews for The Wheel of Time (2021)

6

Dee-Jay_DeliFeb 1, 2022

Decent, but not great take on the "Wheel of Time" series. Despite its obvious production quality, it just doesn't translate well onto screen. The characters aren't that compelling, the plot not well-paced or interesting and there isn't thatDecent, but not great take on the "Wheel of Time" series. Despite its obvious production quality, it just doesn't translate well onto screen. The characters aren't that compelling, the plot not well-paced or interesting and there isn't that much spectacle to carry the story.

Instead it feels like a story out of the early 2000sm with a simple good & evil story, teenagers, colorful costumes and lackluster world-building.

It just feels like a pre-GoT fantasy story in a post-GoT world.… Expand

55 of 56 users found this helpful551

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6

mountainDeweyMar 3, 2022

While the world and visuals of the show are amazing to look at the storytelling felt somewhat lackluster. A good watch in the end but left me wanting more.

50 of 52 users found this helpful502

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6

addabisDec 17, 2021

First of all, I didn't have high expectations, so I can be biased towards the higher score. I have postponed watching until episode 6 was out and I didn't like the first episode at all. After that it's mixed, but getting better.

So far itFirst of all, I didn't have high expectations, so I can be biased towards the higher score. I have postponed watching until episode 6 was out and I didn't like the first episode at all. After that it's mixed, but getting better.

So far it was quite good, even though changes from the books were mostly illogical, casting is half of the time questionable, and so on. But I can forgive that, even when it's obvious that these changes are made in order to conform to contemporary American political and cultural dogmas.

It makes me want to reread books, and some episodes are quite good and capture the important part of the spirit of the books.

However, I'm a bit skeptical of how many people are giving this 0-1 or 9-10, it reeks of dishonesty and emotions.… Expand

50 of 54 users found this helpful504

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6

truerockNov 25, 2021

The Wheel of Time is an epic/fantasy based on the novels written by Robert Jordan in the 1980s.

The cinematography, editing, costumes, makeup, scenography, stage design, set design and other technical aspects of the series are superb. ButThe Wheel of Time is an epic/fantasy based on the novels written by Robert Jordan in the 1980s.

The cinematography, editing, costumes, makeup, scenography, stage design, set design and other technical aspects of the series are superb.

But then...
Half of the casting is good. Half of the casting is bad. Half of the acting is good. Half of the acting is bad. Some of the writing is good. Some of the writing is bad.

I'm going to make a wild guess. The series is rated 16+ (young adults). I'm thinking at some point... somehow there was a decision to make a series for teenagers and the project went downhill at that point. Why so much money and talent would be wasted on such excellent technical work to be used on a B-grade project is odd - in my opinion. I think the project was inappropriately budgeted.

Also, again... why there are so many obviously bad casting decisions and bad acting betwixt so many good casting decisions and good acting is bizarre. Something must have gone very haywire within the development. I've seen this in other films in the last couple of years and there seems to be some strange idea that it doesn't matter if half the casting and half the acting is bad. Is it an idea that the good acting will make up for it somehow? Rosamund Mary Ellen Pike (who plays the Moiraine Damodred character) is an actor of the highest quality - and, sure... I certainly understand that it is not possible to cast the entire series with actors of her caliber - but, there is no excuse for casting other characters with such bad non-talent.

In my mind I imagine something like this...
OK.. Scene 29B, take 1... action!.....
Cut.. that's a wrap, good enough for teenagers. We just spent over a $1,000,000 on a 10 minute scene with 11 good actors and 14 really, really bad actors. Teenagers will never notice the bad acting! We certainly aren't going to spend another $100,000 on a second take.

I'm rating this series a 6 - but, understand that is an average of grade-3 acting to grade-9 acting... averaged with grade 7 to grade 10 technicals. A few badly cast, bad actors can destroy what would have been a pretty good series.

Obviously, the issue of how closely a script follows the source material is irrelevant. I'm not sure why so many individuals think that is important.
Books and films are completely different mediums. Making a film that closely follows source material from a book would be an interesting academic exercise - but, not something that is in and of itself necessarily worthwhile. Regardless, as for the writing, obviously the fantasy genre must be something you enjoy or one would assume you would not watch this series. Nevertheless, there are issues with the writing that I'm going to ignore until I've had more time to watch the series.… Expand

61 of 67 users found this helpful616

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6

PeteSteffanJan 6, 2022

It started strong and I love the casting, costuming, details of many of the sets and props. HDR grading and bitrate quality was awful initially but has since been fixed for all episodes. Sound design is ok, no 5.1 surround mix? Music isIt started strong and I love the casting, costuming, details of many of the sets and props. HDR grading and bitrate quality was awful initially but has since been fixed for all episodes. Sound design is ok, no 5.1 surround mix? Music is eclectic and different but kinda cool.

My main issues are that a good number of the changes, particularly to the magic system rules, very important lore aspects, and some major story and character development have either been changed beyond recognition or removed entirely to be replaced with characters who didn't even appear in the books. Some of these were useful changes that served the tv format, but others were at the expense of the soul and details that made the original book series so amazing. Hopefully the show crew learns their lessons for future seasons and adheres closer to the main story, attempting to recover the plotlines and character development. VFX quality varied wildly throughout the series, from great to terrible, especially episode 8. Without that episode I would've given the series closer to a 7 or 8 overall. This show needs MORE BUDGET AND MORE/LONGER EPISODES to work properly! Pony up and otherwise stay out of the way, Amazon.… Expand

49 of 54 users found this helpful495

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6

SoujiropNov 27, 2021

It tries to be Game of Thrones, but ends up being more like a filler chapter of The Vampire Diaries. Entertaining if you have nothing else to watch.

58 of 65 users found this helpful587

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6

JonamoNov 19, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I am hoping for a better second season. It’s increasingly difficult to grab the reader in the first season of a big show like this, and I think this adaptation suffers from several issues that make loving it difficult. As a fan of the books I am annoyed with many of the choices, particularly at the character level. The first book in the series is not terribly good, but I would expect the TV show to elevate the writing through various changes, rather than making frankly mind boggling character choices. Additionally, the pacing is bizarre, speeding up and slowing down at strange moments and for mysterious reasons. Why? The lack of subtlety in the series is likely a good explanation. Audiences are morons of course and you can feel the writers sneering at you for your own stupidity. That’s fun. Still, quite a bit of potential of this has legs. Perhaps the writers will find their groove. I hope Amazon gives the show some breathing room. Who knows, maybe we will all be making fun of how “meh” the first season was while celebrating its fourth. One can hope.… Expand

51 of 58 users found this helpful517

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6

TVJerryNov 27, 2021

Based on a series of novels, this is Amazon’s attempt to go after the Game of Thrones audience. Rosamund Pike stars as the leader of an all-female organization that’s looking for the dragon reborn (yes, dragons). Her journey leads her to aBased on a series of novels, this is Amazon’s attempt to go after the Game of Thrones audience. Rosamund Pike stars as the leader of an all-female organization that’s looking for the dragon reborn (yes, dragons). Her journey leads her to a small village where 4 young people have the potential and embark on a perilous journey. There are some moments of magic and marauding creatures, but what’s lacking is any originality in the approach or style. Some of the locations are impressive, but much of the design is uninspired and some of the CGI is downright shoddy. Fans of the swords and sorcery genre may have the patience, but after watching the first 3 episodes, it still doesn’t have any narrative or visual magic to make it compelling. (5 more episodes are coming every week and a 2nd season has already been approved)… Expand

53 of 61 users found this helpful538

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5

KeirAndoNov 28, 2021

I must preface this by admitting that I love the books. I started reading the series in 1995 or 1996. Throughout the late 90's and 2000s I'd regularly re-read the whole series as a new book was about to be released. So I must have read theI must preface this by admitting that I love the books. I started reading the series in 1995 or 1996. Throughout the late 90's and 2000s I'd regularly re-read the whole series as a new book was about to be released. So I must have read the first 9 books at least 4 times each. After 4 episodes of this show I do no like it at all. I get it, there's no way they could keep all the details and background of the books. But not only have they stripped out heaps of details, they've changed huge aspects of the books and made large sequential orders.

Plus feel free to accuse me of being regressive, but they've done out of their way to fulfil every necessary diversity quota. The problem with this is that in the book there were different races presented, but it was clear that nations were very homogenous in their appearance. This was actually important to Rand and the prophecy of the Dragon. They could have had their diversity eventually, but they were determined to show a diverse community in the Two Rivers (a place locked away in isolation for 1000 years....)

There is so much gone that this really just comes across as a work of young adult fiction. If you've read the books you won't enjoy this.
Even if you have it's just a soft tv show.… Expand

26 of 76 users found this helpful2650

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5

topalsergheiNov 19, 2021

It was poorly written and directed.

19 of 83 users found this helpful1964

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4

Simply_BryNov 20, 2021

I only read the first book in the Wheel of Time series. I quit because of the generic 'good vs. bad' story and the annoying characters. However I am always interested in book to television adaptations. Even though I only read the first book II only read the first book in the Wheel of Time series. I quit because of the generic 'good vs. bad' story and the annoying characters. However I am always interested in book to television adaptations. Even though I only read the first book I can already say they changed the story in however way they wanted to make it politically correct. The amount of race swapping and feminism is so strong in this one it physically hurts. This combined with other random changes that don't make sense shows the writers don't have any respect for the world Robert Jordan created and I fear the worst for the series in the coming episodes/seasons.

You can feel this series is doing everything to be the next Game of Thrones but fails in every aspect of it: pacing, acting, dialogue and storytelling. The acting is comparable with the Twilight series, but that is what you get when you solely choose actors bases on their skin colour and not actual talent. The characters lack personality and bonding between them. It is just not believable. In that aspect they did a good job translating characters from the book to the screen; they are just as annoying and unconvincing.

The good parts? Probably the cinematography and some visual effects. You can see a lot of money went into this one. Unfortunate that money doesn't buy talent.… Expand

14 of 69 users found this helpful1455

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5

Microb89Dec 6, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Needless deviations from core plot points. The set pieces are nice and it is interesting to see a beloved world brought to life but thats where the positive comments end. The show runner seems to be hellbent at stripping out any charm this show could have had and is instead focused on infusing it with “the right message”.… Expand

11 of 59 users found this helpful1148

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5

jlevNov 21, 2021

Very Cringey

The directing and acting is so cheesy, like a made for TV drama. And if you are a fan of the novels, be warned there are significant deviations from the book in just the first episode. Not surprisingly, little if any of theVery Cringey

The directing and acting is so cheesy, like a made for TV drama. And if you are a fan of the novels, be warned there are significant deviations from the book in just the first episode. Not surprisingly, little if any of the changes add to the story. Also, there’s an incredibly diverse group of people that lives in the tiny peasant village. It’s almost like they had to meet a quota for every ethnicity. It’s all so silly.

Despite my reservations, I was excited for the show. Well, I should have known better. This is what happens when something gets adapted to go main stream for “modern audiences”.… Expand

12 of 69 users found this helpful1257

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4

Inheritance92Jan 5, 2022

I can understand the idea that the first book in the Wheel of Time is boring and non-cinematographic. But the problem with the show is that additions, simplifications and changes don't make much sense and create contradictions and plot holes.I can understand the idea that the first book in the Wheel of Time is boring and non-cinematographic. But the problem with the show is that additions, simplifications and changes don't make much sense and create contradictions and plot holes. The characters who knew each other all their lives and suddenly thrown into the big, hostile world are constantly bickering, having inane romances and generally behaving like teenagers (they are of nuptial age in the source, and actors are even more mature).
Visually, the additions to the show are generic low-budget fantasy nonsense: clothes with Chinese polyester laces, not suited for doing any work in it, multiple piercing, generic backgrounds, cheap, out-of-place props.
The elephant in the room is that the rumored $80 mil budget was simply embezzled. The show looks as cheap as Raimi's Legend of the Seeker, a 2010 show. The palaces are written away, the headquarters of the most powerful wizard order is represented by a corridor and a small room with polystyrene molding. The extras are few, there are no large-scale shots except some generic drone footage. We don't see fields or villages, we don't see horses, only small soundstage and some woods (there is even no continuity in seasons, which change from autumn to winter just between shots).
The casting is bad, too. Only the guest actors and Pike and Henney can act at all. The other seem unable to even remember their lines. Obligatory diversity quota makes the cast look out of place and lead to ridiculous situations of members of the same family having different races or a character, featuring a long, prominent braid in the books, being unable to wear a braid due to curly hair.
To summarize, the show has almost no connection to the original, except misapplied names. The message, the plot, the characters and situations are fumbled, and the stuff invented by the authors is inconsistent and incoherent.… Expand

4 of 54 users found this helpful450

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5

AndonDec 11, 2021

Entertaining waste of time.

I have read the books and indefinitely don't like this show. That said it's not bad to watch if one have not idea what the books are about. It is not amazing but I don't get bored watching it either.

3 of 50 users found this helpful347

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4

jpetersenmmcDec 26, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. (Don’t think I’ll be returning for season 2)
This show takes an interesting approach to the source material. While it try’s to hit the core events it painstakingly changes the entirety of the characters story. I’d say the show is only about 10% accurate to the books. I won’t say it’s awful but just different. At the end I asked my self, how much do you have to change something before it’s different than the thing it originally was?

The love triangle and overall romance is all eye rolling. And the poor writing and pacing is all over the place. Characters seem to warp from point A to point B because the plot needs it. The magic system is not explained it just is there. They choose to kill off a character and then heal her via magic in 10 seconds. It makes her dying in the first place dumb. It’s the show trying to fabricate false drama. And none of our Male leads really seem to matter. They honestly should have just called the show “Aes Sedai” As a casual fan of the books I’m not upset they needed to make changes. I think overall episode 1,7,8 are all below average. Everything in between those episodes I found myself actually enjoying fair enough. If I had to give this show a comparison I’d put in on par with Lost in terms of writing and direction. This show isn’t bad but there isn’t anything special about it yet. That being said I don’t think this show is necessarily for me. I don’t think I’ll be returning for season 2.… Expand

3 of 53 users found this helpful350

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5

MuwusDec 10, 2021

Fan of the books here. I recommend going into the show being aware that this is about Moiraine and not the two rivers folk. I love the interactions between the young characters but they cut out the vast majority of it and instead put in moreFan of the books here. I recommend going into the show being aware that this is about Moiraine and not the two rivers folk. I love the interactions between the young characters but they cut out the vast majority of it and instead put in more stuff about Moiraine. For non-book readers, imagine if the Peter Jackson LOTR films spent the vast majority of their time with Gandalf and sometimes the hobbits were there, maybe Aragorn makes an appearance briefly.
It's a bit disappointing because I don't think there'll be another adaptation. It's a decent fantasy show, but it is inspired by the books not based on them… Expand

2 of 49 users found this helpful247

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5

AdamEnDetailDec 24, 2021

I must say I often wonder why anyone would rate or review a series based on some episodes rather than an entire season. If I had rated Wheel of Time based of off only the first six episodes, I would give a far better rating. That's because II must say I often wonder why anyone would rate or review a series based on some episodes rather than an entire season. If I had rated Wheel of Time based of off only the first six episodes, I would give a far better rating. That's because I went into this show really wanting to like it - and for the first six episodes, I did. The entire season however, leaves a lot to be desired. Wheel of Time showed an intriguing world full of promise. A world unique but familiar, and one you'd imagine would continue to expand beautifully. It was not perfect in its entirety but it was fascinating, rich, and alive. Also showing a clearly high production value.

Unfortunately, more and more movies and shows seem to not understand simple concepts around storytelling, and this show is no exception. Have a strong bunch of motivated characters audiences can get behind - and tell stories with a beginning, middle, and an end; even when the stories are lengthy or multilayered over a long journey. I mean Harry Potter was seven (7) books, each one was clearly defined. On the other hand, this show has weak characters; as some characters are paper-thin, unexplored and without proper motives. While the show as a whole, is not defined, open-ended and lacks a closing.

From the start, the show build and builds, raising questions. Once it gets to episode five or six, where it's expected to answer some of those questions, it plateaus. And then it tries to build further and reach for more without providing answers or adequate reasoning behind all it does. By the end of episode seven it descends into inexplicable gibberish, while the whole of episode eight is a massively underwhelming and anticlimactic "to be continued". It all makes very little sense and simply put, it crumbles under its own weight; hardly meaning anything and failing to tell a definitive story.

Also, the show consciously puts forward a strong and interesting matriarchal world. But, it was indeed unsettling that there was no positive-male-presence within its seemingly vast expanse. And I wondered, if patriarchy is simply replaced with matriarchy isn't it simply just a role-reversal and inequality remains? So although Wheel of Time tries to be progressive, it sort of fails in its attempt to portray equality.

All in all, it started off with promise with an enticing new world full of potential. Along with some strong and intriguing performances from Rosamund Pike, Zoe Robins, and Sophie Okonedo. You can see how much work and effort has been put into the show, as well as how much money has been spent on the production. However, it struggles to deliver on its promises and the world it spends so much time building - such that in the end it simply falls apart into unintelligible mediocrity. Failing to strike the balance that would have made it truly exceptional. Also, all the Game of Thrones comparisons are meaningless and unfounded - both shows differ immensely.… Expand

2 of 51 users found this helpful249

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5

YcoMay 19, 2022

It's difficult to understand how one could mangle the themes and plot of this show so badly when there is a wealth of source material available as well as exhaustive online copy to reference. There's also inconsistent editing, but ultimatelyIt's difficult to understand how one could mangle the themes and plot of this show so badly when there is a wealth of source material available as well as exhaustive online copy to reference. There's also inconsistent editing, but ultimately it's the writing mis-steps that bothered me the most.… Expand

1 of 50 users found this helpful149

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6

NotsogoodreviewSep 10, 2023

I love fantasy and that is probably the only reason I gave such a high score to this. It's characters are okay, but kinda confusing and the plot is decent. Everything in this series is mediocre.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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