The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power | Amazon Prime Video - September 2, 2022

[greygoose]

Watched the first episode. Didn't love or hate it. Thought it was OK. Acting is good and it looks good. Warming to new characters always takes awhile, hopefully they can develop the characters well over the series.

 

[chrisstbh]

Watched the first episode. Didn't love or hate it. Thought it was OK. Acting is good and it looks good. Warming to new characters always takes awhile, hopefully they can develop the characters well over the series.

That's how I feel, it seems like it's taking its time to establish the world and characters before getting to the meat of the story which is totally fine by me as I'm a sucker for some good world building and lore.

It all comes down to how they utilise all this setup and what the payoff is.

 

[Kebron]

That character hasn't shown up yet, but it's the same costume; how could it not be? I can see it from the picture. It's cheap. Galadriel's armour has gaps at her wrists. The whole reason you're wearing gauntlets is to protect your entire hand and wrist. Has nobody in the entire production studied any actual armours?

A picture is still, it allows you to look and examine the whole of what it is. A moving picture isn't the same cause it's moving. That movement blurs what you are looking at, and considering it is TV they may or may not alter what is seen with CGI, shading effects, or whatever else, so no you don't actually know what it will actually look like on the show. Not to mention if you are watching it on TV and you are staring at the characters underarm area, then you are not watching what you should be looking at, you are just looking for faults to nit pick.

Have you studied actual armors? Have you wore any? I have (I practice HEMA weekly) and I can easily explain why the armor has gaps, it's cause if it was actual armor she wouldn't have full range of motion to swing the sword like she does in the show. If she couldn't do those "cool" looking but completely useless sword flourishes then everyone would be complaining about how the sword work looks lame or clunky, or "that's not how a elf looks when they fight"

These shows and movies hire weapon and blacksmiths that know far more then you and I. However they are also working on a fantasy show, which means what you know of in the real world will not translate well into a fantasy show with magical metals and made up races that move different then us humans.

And before you point to the LOTR movies as doing armor and swordplay right, I can assure you they didn't and if needed can pull up some videos from armor and weapon experts that demonstrate how it was also inaccurate.

Bottom line if you are going to be silly enough to judge if a fantasy show is good or not based off how the armor looks/works compared to real world armor, then fantasy isn't the genre for you.

 

[Jmek]

Well I lasted about 20 minutes and switched off. Truly risible in every aspect.

You're going up against one of the best loved book series and writers in the world, and some of the most beloved movies ever.

You need to bring your A game, and this sure as hell 'aint it!

 

[Victοr]

A picture is still, it allows you to look and examine the whole of what it is. A moving picture isn't the same cause it's moving. That movement blurs what you are looking at, and considering it is TV they may or may not alter what is seen with CGI, shading effects, or whatever else, so no you don't actually know what it will actually look like on the show. Not to mention if you are watching it on TV and you are staring at the characters underarm area, then you are not watching what you should be looking at, you are just looking for faults to nit pick.

Have you studied actual armors? Have you wore any? I have (I practice HEMA weekly) and I can easily explain why the armor has gaps, it's cause if it was actual armor she wouldn't have full range of motion to swing the sword like she does in the show. If she couldn't do those "cool" looking but completely useless sword flourishes then everyone would be complaining about how the sword work looks lame or clunky, or "that's not how a elf looks when they fight"

These shows and movies hire weapon and blacksmiths that know far more then you and I. However they are also working on a fantasy show, which means what you know of in the real world will not translate well into a fantasy show with magical metals and made up races that move different then us humans.

And before you point to the LOTR movies as doing armor and swordplay right, I can assure you they didn't and if needed can pull up some videos from armor and weapon experts that demonstrate how it was also inaccurate.

Bottom line if you are going to be silly enough to judge if a fantasy show is good or not based off how the armor looks/works compared to real world armor, then fantasy isn't the genre for you.

Ah, so it's bad... on purpose! Truly, how else could we witness GaladriSlaaaaaaay's {Triangle Triangle Circle Square Square Left Right Up Down Cross} C-C-C-C-C-COMBO-OOOO BREAKER attack?! Thankfully you're here to defend Bezos' 1 BILLION DOLLARIDOOS cutting corners and call people silly. I hope he sees this.

Jackson doing swashbuckling nonsense like Legolas shield-surfing on the stairs, doesn't excuse the 1 BILLION DOLLARIDOOS production giving me leggings with a chainmail pattern and half-gauntlets while insisting I become immersed. Either do it properly or not at all. Motion or not, bad costuming and weightless design is absolutely visible. Just give them greaves and call it a day while having Elves fight like anime because they're t-too f-fast! HotD already has the most plastic looking armours I've seen lately, so they're beaten there...

Whatever, if you like it as generic fantasy, more power to you. God knows I've watched my fair share of genreschlock and didn't care to critique it because I was enjoying it. My whole point is that it fails in everything from writing to costuming, let alone a Tolkien adaptation. I gave my 1 episode review and I'm done.

 

[Kebron]

Ah, so it's bad... on purpose! Truly, how else could we witness GaladriSlaaaaaaay's {Triangle Triangle Circle Square Square Left Right Up Down Cross} C-C-C-C-C-COMBO-OOOO BREAKER attack?! Thankfully you're here to defend Bezos' 1 BILLION DOLLARIDOOS cutting corners and call people silly. I hope he sees this.

Jackson doing swashbuckling nonsense like Legolas shield-surfing on the stairs, doesn't excuse the 1 BILLION DOLLARIDOOS production giving me leggings with a chainmail pattern and half-gauntlets while insisting I become immersed. Either do it properly or not at all. Motion or not, bad costuming and weightless design is absolutely visible. Just give them greaves and call it a day while having Elves fight like anime because they're t-too f-fast! HotD already has the most plastic looking armours I've seen lately, so they're beaten there...

Whatever, if you like it as generic fantasy, more power to you. God knows I've watched my fair share of genreschlock and didn't care to critique it because I was enjoying it. My whole point is that it fails in everything from writing to costuming, let alone a Tolkien adaptation. I gave my 1 episode review and I'm done.

Typical.

You have not answered my question on where exactly you got your "expertise" on armor from? Worn any real armor?

How are you able to say it's "absolutely" visible, when from your own admission earlier, you haven't even seen the character on screen yet?

Not that I really expect you to answer. You are not interested in a real discussion. Just more failed attempts at humor and doubling down on your hate. Guess we will just see some more snark, and "WORST SERIES EVER" irrational ranting out of you.

 

[Turtle882]

Overall, I enjoyed the first episode as a TV show. It doesn't really fit in with what is established in the books (soooo much of the mythology is changed) or what has been previously established in Jackson's movies, so I guess this is its own thing entirely. I don't understand why everyone speaks English. That's the most bothersome thing to me. That and the fact that there is ANOTHER elf/nonelf romance going on.

 

[chrisstbh]

Overall, I enjoyed the first episode as a TV show. It doesn't really fit in with what is established in the books (soooo much of the mythology is changed) or what has been previously established in Jackson's movies, so I guess this is its own thing entirely. I don't understand why everyone speaks English. That's the most bothersome thing to me. That and the fact that there is ANOTHER elf/nonelf romance going on.

What's wrong with everyone speaking English? Majority of the trilogy was in English. Most viewers don't want to watch a show in made up gibberish.

 

[Turtle882]

Speaking English/common is fine for a lot of it, like in Jackson's trilogy. But even there, other races spoke their appropriate languages at the appropriate times. Elves, in an elvish meeting attended only by elves, shouldn't speak common. I'd rather there be subtitles when appropriate. Language was a big thing for Tolkien. Not honoring that is weird.

 

[Victοr]

Typical.

You have not answered my question on where exactly you got your "expertise" on armor from? Worn any real armor?

How are you able to say it's "absolutely" visible, when from your own admission earlier, you haven't even seen the character on screen yet?

I've never worn real Medieval Armour, but that is irrelevant. I'm not clamoring for them to dress everyone up in proper armour. I'm criticising the dreadfully cheap attempt and ridiculing the claim that it cost 1 Billion.

I have eyes and as I can clearly see the plastic armour in HotD, even "hidden" in a series of rapid cuts, likewise the chainmail leggings will stick out. They stick out in the shots themselves. You're telling me you can't see how plastic and fake this whole thing looks?

I don't know why you're pretending being in motion will radically change the appearance of a physical outfit. If you're making a fantasy series and you expect me to be immersed, you'll have to try more than leggings with a chainmail pattern, plastic pieces of armour and generic designs; especially if you're trying to pass it off as a Tolkien show.

Not that I really expect you to answer. You are not interested in a real discussion. Just more failed attempts at humor and doubling down on your hate. Guess we will just see some more snark, and "WORST SERIES EVER" irrational ranting out of you.

 

[Sassafras]

And before you point to the LOTR movies as doing armor and swordplay right, I can assure you they didn't and if needed can pull up some videos from armor and weapon experts that demonstrate how it was also inaccurate.

Bottom line if you are going to be silly enough to judge if a fantasy show is good or not based off how the armor looks/works compared to real world armor, then fantasy isn't the genre for you.

That would be interesting, if you have the time to post some links or something. Reminds me of reading about how super accurate Stormtrooper cosplayers (501st, high end collectors) were commenting that "real" armor - some of which is in the Mandalorian S1 - was held on with duck tape at times, and original ST helmets had blobby paint slapped on e.g. what we see on screen, and what was actually used, are a world apart.

Not that I don't appreciate the artistry Jackson drew on from the New Zealand craftspeople, everything from leatherwork to the hero swords to the blown glass.

Overall, I enjoyed the first episode as a TV show. It doesn't really fit in with what is established in the books (soooo much of the mythology is changed) or what has been previously established in Jackson's movies, so I guess this is its own thing entirely. I don't understand why everyone speaks English. That's the most bothersome thing to me. That and the fact that there is ANOTHER elf/nonelf romance going on.

Well, yeah, I can't feel this is really Tolkien. On the other hand, it's been said/parodied that every other generic fantasy writer borrows heavily from Tolkien, one way or the other. The motley collection of heroes that gathers for the journey to take out the big bad who will destroy the world. Some of these are better written than others. For me it's good enough, so far, to watch without being heavily invested - hard to get heavily invested, when, early on, it was pretty clear this series wasn't going for accuracy, but trying for mass appeal. Also the selection of showrunners - inexperienced protegees of J. Abrams - was a red flag.

 

[Kebron]

I've never worn real Medieval Armour, but that is irrelevant. I'm not clamoring for them to dress everyone up in proper armour. I'm criticising the dreadfully cheap attempt and ridiculing the claim that it cost 1 Billion.

I have eyes and as I can clearly see the plastic armour in HotD, even "hidden" in a series of rapid cuts, likewise the chainmail leggings will stick out. They stick out in the shots themselves. You're telling me you can't see how plastic and fake this whole thing looks?

I don't know why you're pretending being in motion will radically change the appearance of a physical outfit. If you're making a fantasy series and you expect me to be immersed, you'll have to try more than leggings with a chainmail pattern, plastic pieces of armour and generic designs; especially if you're trying to pass it off as a Tolkien show.

Bait that you fell for. Again typical. You can't help yourself but reply.

In the still, yes I can see the difference if I search it out. On TV not so much, but I' not looking plastic looking armor I'm actually watching the show and the story it's telling, not looking for things to nit pick the show for on a online forum.

Actually you did clamor for them to dress up in proper armor. Galadriel's armour has gaps at her wrists. The whole reason you're wearing gauntlets is to protect your entire hand and wrist. Has nobody in the entire production studied any actual armours?

You even clamor for it in this same post I am replying to. You complain about the fake looking plastic armor and leggings, but yet begin by saying you aren't asking for them to dress in proper armor.

You not wearing armor is indeed relevant. You accuse the makers of the show of not studying armor, but yet put forward your opinion as if you know more about it then they do. As we now see you don't know more or have more experience then they. Wearing armor isn't some simple easy thing to do, especially metal armor that you are clamoring for (or not clamoring, I can't tell cause you contradict yourself). It's heavy (a kit I wore was 70 lbs), it's restricting in movement, it's loud, it's crazy hot, way hotter then the the plastic armor they currently wear, and that plastic armor is already super hot to wear. So if a show cuts corners to make the actors comfortable so they can have more range of motion, not having to break multiple times a day to cool everyone down, and not have to constantly scrub the film due to the noise, I and most of the viewing audience is ok with them using alternatives to real armor.

If you want realistic fantasy armor, I suggest you just stick to books. If you aren't asking for realistic armor, then what exactly are you complaining about?

 

[Kebron]

That would be interesting, if you have the time to post some links or something. Reminds me of reading about how super accurate Stormtrooper cosplayers (501st, high end collectors) were commenting that "real" armor - some of which is in the Mandalorian S1 - was held on with duck tape at times, and original ST helmets had blobby paint slapped on e.g. what we see on screen, and what was actually used, are a world apart.

Not that I don't appreciate the artistry Jackson drew on from the New Zealand craftspeople, everything from leatherwork to the hero swords to the blown glass.

https://www.youtube.com/user/scholagladiatoria/videos
Matt Easton is my go to You Tube channel for HEMA and historical information in a video form. There's a lot of great historical information here about swords, armor, etc. He's also done videos and critiques on several fantasy shows and movies about the weapons and armor they use. What I like most about is he's a practicing HEMAist, and he's a antiques dealer specializing in weapons, so the guy knows his stuff. He recently gave a fight breakdown on Fellowship of the Rings on IGN channel. I haven't watched the whole thing yet, but the bits I did he was pretty even handed called out some of the silly stuff, and acknowledged the bits they did get right. But again its fantasy. As a fencer who trains in and spars with several weapons including Longsword, trust me real fights are no where near as entertaining to watch as we see in fantasy movies, and TV.

 

[Victοr]

Bait that you fell for. Again typical. You can't help yourself but reply.

So, just to get this straight; you accuse me of all this

Not that I really expect you to answer. You are not interested in a real discussion. Just more failed attempts at humor and doubling down on your hate. Guess we will just see some more snark, and "WORST SERIES EVER" irrational ranting out of you.

then you imply that I "took the bait"? For something to be bait its has to be purposely crafted as such. So either you admit you're "arguing" in bad faith, or you can't tell the difference.

I don't understand you at all. You try and claim some moral high ground, yet you've literally disregarded all my comments on anything bar the armours. You post insults and make assumptions, then claim others are irrational. Are you such a devout fan of Corporation™ that you took it all personally?

In the still, yes I can see the difference if I search it out. On TV not so much, but I' not looking plastic looking armor I'm actually watching the show and the story it's telling, not looking for things to nit pick the show for on a online forum.

It's not my fault you can only pay attention to one thing at the time. All products are judged on their sum. You are fine slurping up mediocre fantasy because you like the genre, that's your deal. Tune in. Watch it till the end. I watched one episode, I gave my review, and for some reason you got irritated enough to focus on one aspect of it and take it personally.

Actually you did clamor for them to dress up in proper armor. Galadriel's armour has gaps at her wrists. The whole reason you're wearing gauntlets is to protect your entire hand and wrist. Has nobody in the entire production studied any actual armours?

You even clamor for it in this same post I am replying to. You complain about the fake looking plastic armor and leggings, but yet begin by saying you aren't asking for them to dress in proper armor.

My point was that the costumes are so low effort, one wonders if they paid attention to any sort of real world armour's construction. There is a wide line between actual armour and literal leggings with a pattern. They could've sculpted the "chainmail" and with some clever painting and weathering made it lived-in. They could've made full gauntlets from a lighter material to give the illusion of a proper gauntlet. But they did not. They went with obvious hunks of plastic, didn't cover critical areas at that, and printed leggings. And I'm supposed to what, commend them on it, otherwise I'm asking for them to walk out in full metal plating? It's one extreme or the other? What sense does that make? Expecting them to do better with something basic isn't demanding full plates all over made from genuine metal. Learn to read between the lines.

You not wearing armor is indeed relevant. You accuse the makers of the show of not studying armor, but yet put forward your opinion as if you know more about it then they do. As we now see you don't know more or have more experience then they. Wearing armor isn't some simple easy thing to do, especially metal armor that you are clamoring for (or not clamoring, I can't tell cause you contradict yourself). It's heavy (a kit I wore was 70 lbs), it's restricting in movement, it's loud, it's crazy hot, way hotter then the the plastic armor they currently wear, and that plastic armor is already super hot to wear. So if a show cuts corners to make the actors comfortable so they can have more range of motion, not having to break multiple times a day to cool everyone down, and not have to constantly scrub the film due to the noise, I and most of the viewing audience is ok with them using alternatives to real armor.

Either do it right or don't do it all. I'm not going to take pity on bloody actors of all things. Pampered dancing monkeys spouting off some nonsense in front of a green screen and getting paid tens of thousands to millions. Sympathy for actors? Christ...

And again, you've constructed a scenario in your head and are arguing against it. The point of a good craftsman in this business is to give the illusion of reality. To make me believe that these are real armours and clothing, despite the contrary. To make it all lived in, realistic, proportionate, and so on and so forth. That's literally the job. That's all I'm asking for. For them to take their plastic and their silicon and wood and whatever else, and come up with a combination that makes me immersed. I'm not asking them to go and smelt iron weapons for the 130 lbs woman to hold. I'm expecting them to do their job. And that goes for everyone else. I don't need to see two walking tanks bash each other for it to be realistic, but I also don't want to see someone LITERALLY JUMP ON A SWORD AND THEN DO A DOUBLE JUMP. There's a fine line between extreme realism and immersion breaking stupidity in any setting. Like how we can accept Batman taking a couple of shots to the chest and then fighting 5 guys, but if he suddenly put some flubber on them and did a Mario jump in the middle of his dark n' gritty detective flick, the atmosphere would be ruined. That's the point.

If you want realistic fantasy armor, I suggest you just stick to books. If you aren't asking for realistic armor, then what exactly are you complaining about?

Maybe you could go back and read my posts. See what I wrote about anything beyond the two lines about the plastic armour. Instead of purposely disregarding the entire thing and focusing on the one aspect you can throw a tantrum about due to having personal experience. You know you're more informed on this topic, so you're trying to distill any criticism into this one point in an attempt to move past the rest. I condescend that you know more, but your warped reading of the posts themselves, and the crude dismisal of anything else is disingenuous at best. And that is not counting all the playground insults coupled with the holier-than-thou attitude. Something I find quite rude.

You are literally arguing with imaginary phantoms.

Post again about your real armour experience and put more words into peoples' mouths. In fact, have the win. Because I know you'll respond with a wall of text, and more imagined slights and blablablabla... You can have it. You've successfully defended Bezos' honour. Maybe he'll gift you a plaque with a memorable line from the show such as "stones sink because they look down, but ships look up so they float"... I dropped the show after the first episode; I have no skin in the game.

 

[Otomofan]

I watched Just Some Guy's review. It was a half hour long, half as long as the actual episode he was criticizing. Yes, he's part of the "nerd outrage" youtube gang, but LOTR is kinda his "thing." He speaks really good Elvish, so I trust his critiques more than the typical bearded middle aged clickbait farmer.

I'm really glad LOTR doesn't mean much to me. I've had it enough of these obnoxious corporate Mary Sue vehicles.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go watch 80s movies with greased up muscular men killing everything in sight with lots of huge machine guns. Good day, gentlemen.

 

[chrisstbh]

 

[Wor-Gar]

Just Some Guy... speaks really good Elvish

Dork. No trust.

 

[Kebron]

So, just to get this straight; you accuse me of all this



then you imply that I "took the bait"? For something to be bait its has to be purposely crafted as such. So either you admit you're "arguing" in bad faith, or you can't tell the difference.

I don't understand you at all. You try and claim some moral high ground, yet you've literally disregarded all my comments on anything bar the armours. You post insults and make assumptions, then claim others are irrational. Are you such a devout fan of Corporation™ that you took it all personally?


It's not my fault you can only pay attention to one thing at the time. All products are judged on their sum. You are fine slurping up mediocre fantasy because you like the genre, that's your deal. Tune in. Watch it till the end. I watched one episode, I gave my review, and for some reason you got irritated enough to focus on one aspect of it and take it personally.


My point was that the costumes are so low effort, one wonders if they paid attention to any sort of real world armour's construction. There is a wide line between actual armour and literal leggings with a pattern. They could've sculpted the "chainmail" and with some clever painting and weathering made it lived-in. They could've made full gauntlets from a lighter material to give the illusion of a proper gauntlet. But they did not. They went with obvious hunks of plastic, didn't cover critical areas at that, and printed leggings. And I'm supposed to what, commend them on it, otherwise I'm asking for them to walk out in full metal plating? It's one extreme or the other? What sense does that make? Expecting them to do better with something basic isn't demanding full plates all over made from genuine metal. Learn to read between the lines.

Either do it right or don't do it all. I'm not going to take pity on bloody actors of all things. Pampered dancing monkeys spouting off some nonsense in front of a green screen and getting paid tens of thousands to millions. Sympathy for actors? Christ...

And again, you've constructed a scenario in your head and are arguing against it. The point of a good craftsman in this business is to give the illusion of reality. To make me believe that these are real armours and clothing, despite the contrary. To make it all lived in, realistic, proportionate, and so on and so forth. That's literally the job. That's all I'm asking for. For them to take their plastic and their silicon and wood and whatever else, and come up with a combination that makes me immersed. I'm not asking them to go and smelt iron weapons for the 130 lbs woman to hold. I'm expecting them to do their job. And that goes for everyone else. I don't need to see two walking tanks bash each other for it to be realistic, but I also don't want to see someone LITERALLY JUMP ON A SWORD AND THEN DO A DOUBLE JUMP. There's a fine line between extreme realism and immersion breaking stupidity in any setting. Like how we can accept Batman taking a couple of shots to the chest and then fighting 5 guys, but if he suddenly put some flubber on them and did a Mario jump in the middle of his dark n' gritty detective flick, the atmosphere would be ruined. That's the point.


Maybe you could go back and read my posts. See what I wrote about anything beyond the two lines about the plastic armour. Instead of purposely disregarding the entire thing and focusing on the one aspect you can throw a tantrum about due to having personal experience. You know you're more informed on this topic, so you're trying to distill any criticism into this one point in an attempt to move past the rest. I condescend that you know more, but your warped reading of the posts themselves, and the crude dismisal of anything else is disingenuous at best. And that is not counting all the playground insults coupled with the holier-than-thou attitude. Something I find quite rude.

You are literally arguing with imaginary phantoms.

Post again about your real armour experience and put more words into peoples' mouths. In fact, have the win. Because I know you'll respond with a wall of text, and more imagined slights and blablablabla... You can have it. You've successfully defended Bezos' honour. Maybe he'll gift you a plaque with a memorable line from the show such as "stones sink because they look down, but ships look up so they float"... I dropped the show after the first episode; I have no skin in the game.

Awww someone's feeling are hurt. It's ok buddy, you can't win them all. Especially when you are making crap up just to be faux mad at a show.

 

[greygoose]

Watched episode 2. Some good, some OK, some not so good. Without giving the series a chance to evolve I don't want to say too much.

Was always going to face an uphill battle when being compared to the greatest trilogy ever made.

 

[Wor-Gar]

OK, finally watched the first episode and... Victor is going to hate me more... I actually enjoyed it.

Long winded as Jackson but grand. I was always hoping this series was going to be about Annatar... so not certain where this is going yet. Except that's Gandalf who crash-landed.

So far, I'm not too engaged by Legolorn.... nor Froda. I find Galadriel interesting and her friend back home (I don't know his name but he'd make a good Dr. Who).