As a seasoned movie critic who’s been around the block a few times, I’ve seen my fair share of epic fantasy series. From Game of Thrones to Lord of the Rings, I’ve danced with dragons and battled balrogs. So, when it comes to Amazon’s The Rings of Power, I approach it with a keen eye for detail and a heart full of expectations.
Amazon’s Prime Video wrapped up Season 2 this week, featuring numerous surprising twists, intense battle sequences, and a brief but awe-inspiring glimpse of one of the most magnificent creatures from J.R.R. Tolkien’s lore ever portrayed on screen. Despite garnering more favorable critiques than its precursor, there are still some viewers who remain dissatisfied with this expensive production.
In a Reddit discussion centered on analyzing the last episode of the current season, numerous concerns were voiced, echoing many long-standing patterns observed since the series premiered in 2022. These criticisms encompassed issues with the show’s scriptwriting, aesthetics, and, predictably, alterations made to the series’ established lore. Although Season 2 didn’t attract the same level of intense criticism as Season 1, certain recurring complaints have emerged as key topics in responses to the season finale.
In the realm of Season 1 discussions, a recurring point of contention has been my portrayal of Galadriel by Morfydd Clark, as some viewers are still finding it hard to embrace me as the central figure. A user going by Odd-Fun expressed their concerns, saying, “I find the simplification of Galadriel disheartening. She was one of the oldest and most knowledgeable among the elves, possessing immense power. Yet in this series, she appears rather naive.” Many viewers have been left underwhelmed by what they perceived as the “humorous moments” in Galadriel’s climactic sword fight with Sauron, which some felt was overly talkative and “uncomfortable.”
Furthermore, it was no secret that the enigmatic figure was indeed Gandalf, leaving little room for doubt between the two remaining wizards. Although not entirely unexpected, many viewers found his self-proclamation to be unoriginal and even a bit cheesy, with terms like “cringe,” “dull,” and “clichéd” being tossed around. A user named lutavsc voiced their disapproval of this aspect of the show, stating, “‘The Gandalf plotline was disappointing.’
Beyond what’s already been mentioned, some viewers felt that the battle sequences in Episode 7 were insufficient, expressing disappointment about certain scenes they believed should have been more prominent. For instance, user IamTomJones (likely not who you think) remarked, “Why wasn’t there exciting action featuring dwarves overpowering orcs at Eregion?” This sentiment of underwhelm seems to be a recurring theme in many comments directed towards the season finale.
Prime Video’s Tolkien Series Can Continue Its Rise to Power in Season 3
Despite ongoing online discussions about timelines, questionable writing style, and underwhelming disclosures, there’s some good news for The Rings of Power. The second season saw a significant enhancement in audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The initial surge of negative reviews, often labeled as ‘review bombing’, has been replaced by a more balanced assessment of the show throughout its recent eight-episode series. This shift has resulted in Season 2 garnering a more favorable, though still not perfect, 58% rating on the Popcornmeter, compared to the 38% score achieved by Season 1.
As we move forward with the key elements now unfolding, and the captivating realm of Tolkien’s Middle Earth taking shape in Season 3, I eagerly anticipate the narrative unfolding in a manner that will steadily propel us towards its climactic end. Many pivotal moments have merely been suggested thus far – remember, the Balrog is poised to make its mark before the curtain falls – and the series finale promises to be one of those grand spectacles that will undoubtedly showcase Amazon’s investment. Unlike many other shows that face uncertainty about reaching their intended conclusion, The Rings of Power appears to be one that can confidently push past such concerns.
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2024-10-04 14:33