Video game adaptations are very hit or miss. It’s quite difficult to capture the magic of a hit game and mold it into a feature film or series. Many have tried, and many have failed. In s ome cases, incredibly badly. However, more recent movies and shows based on video games have started to get excellent, and in some cases, great.
The latest Super Mario Bros. Movie and the Sonic the Hedgehog movies were both a ton of fun, and projects like this year’s The Last of Us and the criminally underrated Werewolves Within are brilliant. All four are without a doubt among the best the subgenre has to offer. Among these great video game adaptations is Netflix’s fantasy series, The Witcher.
The Witcher isn’t exactly the most accurate adaptation of the video games and is instead heavily inspired by the books of which the video game series was originally based upon. So far, although at points a little complicated and convoluted, The Witcher has been an epic series full of ghastly monsters, compelling performances, jaw-dropping action, and a large expansive world, resulting in one of the best fantasy shows this side of Game of Thrones.
Season three only proves this statement to be true, and is without a doubt the best season yet. It is still as complicated and overwhelming as ever; however thanks to phenomenal performances, a compelling story, expansive and dangerous world and flawless action, season three is utterly fantastic.
Another Epic But Confusing Season
It’s safe to say that The Witcher is one of the most confusing shows airing right now. The characters’ names, large number of subplots, monsters, factions, and realms may throw many casual viewers off The Witcher train. Even for fans of the show, it’s very easy to get lost in the world of The Witcher. Sadly, season three continues to be just as confusing as past seasons.
Season two last saw Geralt (Henry Cavill), Ciri (Freya Allen), and Yennefer (Anya Chalotra) battle Voleth Meir, or the Deathless Mother as she is simply known, in order to prevent her from using Ciri’s powers to open a monolith and return home. After defeating Voleth Meir, Ciri teleports herself, Geralt, and Yennefer to Voleth Meir’s realm where we learn that the Deathless Mother is a member of the famed Wild Hunt.
It isn’t long before Ciri uses her powers to get the three of them back home. After the events of season two, Ciri must come to terms with her powers all while avoiding the dangers of the Continent, as mages, monsters, Elves, and tyrants seek Ciri, all for different reasons.
Related: The Witcher: Why Difference Between the Show and the Book May Not Matter
The Continent Is for the Taking
Netflix
Although, the main plot line of season three is that Geralt and Yennefer must keep Ciri out of harm’s way, what continues to captivate audiences is the show’s politics. While Geralt continues to slay monsters and Yennefer teaches Ciri to control her magic, there are countless factions who want to take control of the Continent, by means of capturing or killing Ciri.
Ciri’s father, who was revealed to be the deadly White Flame at the end of season two and the ruler of Nilfgaard, seeks global domination. Also going by the names of Emperor Emhyr var Emreis, or Dunny (Bart Edwards), the White Flame aims to rule the Continent by forcing Ciri, who’s riddled with Elder Blood, to bear his child so that it can then become the ruler of the Continent. It’s a horrifying theme that continuously makes us fear this terrifying antagonist. The Redenians need King Vizimir (Ed Birch) to marry Ciri in order to take control of Cintra, expanding both their territory and control, and with the Brotherhood of Sorcerers putting a bounty out in Ciri and Yennefer, war is ready to break out at any minute.
The continuing political battle of the regions is captivating, although again incredibly confusing. Each faction continues to plot secretive and manipulative ways of capturing or killing Ciri in order to gain the upper hand. As phenomenal as the action is, it will be the continued politics scattered throughout the Continent that will keep audiences hooked, evolving the world, characters and narrative of the show.
Stunning Action
Netflix
The Witcher has always delivered fantastic action. Just look at the utterly fantastic “oner” in the very first episode of the show. Thankfully, season three is no different, offering some of the series’ best action. The season immediately kicks off with a short but exhilarating fight scene, and from there the show’s action never eases up. As Geralt violently slaughters henchmen with his sword and incredibly powerful abilities, the camera gleefully and masterful follows and spins around Geralt through his butchery, enhancing the action’s speed and impact. Likewise, both the camerawork and editing work together to showcase the series’ astonishingly violent choreography.
On top of that, the show doesn’t hold back on its monster action. Faced with heaps of increasingly grotesque creatures, Geralt hacks, slashes, and blasts his way through in spectacular fashion. Although we would have loved to see Geralt go up against even more monsters, we are still incredibly thankful for what we got.
For the past two seasons, Ciri has been learning about her past, her magical abilities, and her combat training. Now, although she is still in training, Ciri gets plenty of moments to shine. Freya Allen delivers a badass performance, in terms of her delivery and physicality in the action. Ciri is even more tenacious and compelling than before. Ciri will soon become even more powerful and even deadlier than Geralt.
Henry Cavill’s Final Turn as Geralt of Rivia
Netflix
While The Witcher season three isn’t the end of the series, it is in fact the end of Henry Cavill’s portrayal of the iconic video game character. It’s a long story, but after being promised by Warner Bros. to reprise his role as Superman again, Cavill was faced with a hard choice and decided to leave The Witcher universe completely.
Sadly, Warner Bros. quickly ditched Cavill after a small cameo at the end of Black Adam, leaving the actor in the mud with no chance of returning to The Witcher franchise after being replaced by Liam Hemsworth. However, Henry Cavill goes out with a bang, proving why he has and always will be the perfect person to play Geralt of Rivia.
As much as Cavill was born to play Superman, the British actor was just as destined to portray Geralt of Rivia in live action form. His stoic acting chops are bar none, as evident through past seasons. That said, season three delves into Geralt’s charm and heart by deepening his fatherly bond with Ciri and romantic relationship with Yennefer. Cavill is just as charming and endearing as he is stoic and deadly. Cavill’s physicality in both the action and in simply traipsing through the Continent is breathtaking. His final time in the role is emotional and without a doubt his best performance yet.
Related: Can The Witcher Survive Without Henry Cavill?
And Now We Wait!
Netflix
As of late, Netflix has had interest in delivering their original series in two parts. In the past we saw season four of Stranger Things get split into two, and so did the latest season of You. Now, The Witcher is the latest Netflix series to receive two parts. For the most part season three’s structure and pacing is sound, but perhaps the only criticism is that by the time we get to the season’s main themes and plot lines, it feels like part one just ends. A little disorientating, but it doesn’t detract much from the otherwise fantastic season.
The first part of season three just ends suddenly, making us equally disappointed by this sudden end and excited for our questions to finally get answered, in volume two which releases July 27th.
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