I read the books a long time ago and enjoyed them a lot. Terry Brooks is one of my favorite fantasy authors and you should read the books if you like fantasy genre. I understand how people who read the books may not like this show. The show has a teenage drama tone that at times is upsetting. The acting from a couple characters falls short at times.
However, I am enjoying it even with some of the faults. I am glad this story is being told and would be happy to see more stories/series filmed if it isn't canceled. Is it as good as Game of Thrones? No! It's less serious and campy, but when do you get a chance to see fantasy on TV?
Surprisingly, Wil Ohmsford and Eretria characters work well on the show. Looking at the actor who plays Wil I worried he be a stereotypical cheesy actor, but his acting is quite natural. Erectia is engaging and also entertaining. Also, I am glad they are not using a cheesy "English" accents. It's refreshing to hear them act natural and they just work.
The character Allanon played by Manu Bennett is a real stretch. He is definitely not what I envisioned but he has not annoyed me enough to say he is terrible. The problem is Allanon is a huge pivotal character in the books and he isn't nailing the performance yet. The accent isn't working for me either. He needs subtitles, or needs to add space between words. Let's just say the casting was not great here.
Now the ugly! Poppy Drayton who plays Amberle Elessedil is TERRIBLE!!! There are times when I giggle how bad her acting can get. Her facial expressions are awful and she has a confounded expression permanently ironed on. One saving grace is she killed the boyfriend who was just as terrible if not more cheesy. The two can't act - think "Twilight" meets Dungeons & Dragons the movie level of acting. Thankfully, Lorin dies off soon. Unfortunately, Poppy is a main character at least for Elfstones.
The Demon CGI is not bad. In fact I'd say the show is visually appealing. I'd give the effects a solid "B" for TV. It has a unique look and feels impressive.
Yeah, the show, it's not perfect, but very few TV show are. Fantasy rarely hits the screens, and this show is a welcomed fix for the genre. There is another Terry Brook's series worth filming called Magic Kingdom for Sale-Sold. And when will we see Dragonlance on the big screen?
However, I am enjoying it even with some of the faults. I am glad this story is being told and would be happy to see more stories/series filmed if it isn't canceled. Is it as good as Game of Thrones? No! It's less serious and campy, but when do you get a chance to see fantasy on TV?
Surprisingly, Wil Ohmsford and Eretria characters work well on the show. Looking at the actor who plays Wil I worried he be a stereotypical cheesy actor, but his acting is quite natural. Erectia is engaging and also entertaining. Also, I am glad they are not using a cheesy "English" accents. It's refreshing to hear them act natural and they just work.
The character Allanon played by Manu Bennett is a real stretch. He is definitely not what I envisioned but he has not annoyed me enough to say he is terrible. The problem is Allanon is a huge pivotal character in the books and he isn't nailing the performance yet. The accent isn't working for me either. He needs subtitles, or needs to add space between words. Let's just say the casting was not great here.
Now the ugly! Poppy Drayton who plays Amberle Elessedil is TERRIBLE!!! There are times when I giggle how bad her acting can get. Her facial expressions are awful and she has a confounded expression permanently ironed on. One saving grace is she killed the boyfriend who was just as terrible if not more cheesy. The two can't act - think "Twilight" meets Dungeons & Dragons the movie level of acting. Thankfully, Lorin dies off soon. Unfortunately, Poppy is a main character at least for Elfstones.
The Demon CGI is not bad. In fact I'd say the show is visually appealing. I'd give the effects a solid "B" for TV. It has a unique look and feels impressive.
Yeah, the show, it's not perfect, but very few TV show are. Fantasy rarely hits the screens, and this show is a welcomed fix for the genre. There is another Terry Brook's series worth filming called Magic Kingdom for Sale-Sold. And when will we see Dragonlance on the big screen?
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