Lord of the Rings The Rings of Power Review: Sprawling Fantasy With the Budget to Prove It



Critiquing a series like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power after just two episodes is not an easy task.


Prime Video shared two episodes with critics. These episodes kickstart the franchise’s foray onto the small screen. For the most part, they’re set up for upcoming episodes.


That’s not bad, but seeing so little of what the series has to offer without much in the form of payoff makes you wonder what’s on tap for the future and, more importantly, how it will be handled.


The story takes us to the Second Age of Middle-earth, which effectively gives us a clear canvas that begins to fill up quickly with storylines.


It also makes the series a decent entry point for viewers unfamiliar with the franchise.


There is plenty of exposition off the bat, but there’s also enough action and intrigue that will keep you glued to the screen.


The cast is impeccable, with Morfydd Clark emerging as a scene-stealer in the role of Galadriel.


Utilizing such a pivotal character from the novels and the movies is a risky choice, but Clark is perfect as this younger version of the character we’ve met before.


Undoubtedly, people will be wowed by the production values. When the series was announced, reports were everywhere that it would be the most expensive TV series ever.


The live-action Lord of the Rings fare has been synonymous with beautiful cinematography, which is prevalent in the transition to the small screen.


It truly is a spectacle, and you can tell that much of the budget has been spent on making the series look a cut above everything else in the TV landscape. 


It’s not uncommon for fantasy dramas to begin with a much lower budget before they prove worthy of better sets and more money.


Here, Prime Video pumps a lot of money into the product from the jump to deliver on its promise to take viewers back to Middle Earth.


The sheer scale of the storylines means plenty is going on that will keep people interested, but by the end of the second episode, I needed a break to process all of the happenings.


There has been much debate about whether a weekly or a binge release would work, but the beauty of such a meaty plot is that fans will theorize the moment episodes drop until the next is released.


The true test for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will be in whether the payoff is satisfying.


We don’t meet all of the key players in the opening episodes, and it’s tricky to balance a wealth of plots to appease viewers.


The series has all the makings of a hit. It carves its own path, tells new stories, and looks great in the process.


What more could you want?


Fans of fantasy dramas are spoiled for choice this year, and I’ve seen plenty of comparisons to House of the Dragon.


These shows could not be more different, and comparing them to each other is a disservice to their cast and creatives.


Will you watch The Rings of Power?


Check out the official trailer below.

Edit Delete

Paul Dailly is the Associate Editor for TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter.

You can view the original article HERE.

Michigan Politician Swears Gonzaga Hoops Team Buses Are Full Of ‘Illegal Invaders’
Kanye West Avoided Diddy Meetup During Rolling Loud Performance
Marvel’s Blade Delayed Amid Writers Strike
Diddy Seen Talking with Federal Agents at Airport as Associate is Arrested
Sydney Sweeney Swaps Madame Web’s Spider-Woman For Power Girl in DC Fan Art
Giancarlo Esposito Can’t Keep Overcrowded, Rushed Parish on the Road | TV/Streaming
Femme Review | An Edge-of-Your-Seat Queering of the Neo-Noir Crime Thriller
Gillian Anderson Reveals Why She Almost Gave Up Acting 24 Years Ago
Will Batman be in The Penguin TV series?
Fake and laced benzos are circulating in the UK – causing a “fentanyl-style epidemic”
Lzzy Hale to front Skid Row for upcoming tour
Cillian Murphy reveals he’s gone vegan
Panthers sign Clowney to reported 2-year deal
Ham thrilled as Lakers rally for ‘top-3’ win of year
Report: Cowboys haven’t made Dak extension offers
The Money Game: How Much Can College Athletes Earn with NIL
One Euphoria Actor Doubts Season 3 Will Ever Be Made
Chicago PD Season 11 Episode 8 Review: On Paper
Malcolm in the Middle Revival Now the ‘Closest It’s Ever Been,’ Frankie Muniz Reveals
The Good Doctor Season 7 Episode 4 Review: Date Night
Jenna Lyons, Jessel Taank, and More Announce Return!
Swarovski’s Underwater Glamazons, Megahn Markle’s Beauty Line, & More!
Cher’s Closet From Clueless Is Becoming A Reality, Thanks To Vêtir
Suki Waterhouse and Robert Pattinson Welcome Their First Baby!