In The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power series, familiar and new characters from the stories of the British classic JRR Tolkien must face the return of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest places in the Misty Mountains to the majestic forests of Lindon; from the island kingdom of Númenor to the farthest corners of the map, these realms and characters will create a legacy that will exist long after they are gone. The story told by the producers and creators of Amazon Original, and now broadcast through the Prime Video platform in the Czech Republic, takes place long before the events of the books and films The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings. It begins in the days when Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), the Elven ruler known from the books The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings, is just a little girl. Which in the elven world means hundreds and thousands of years ago…
Millions of fans of Tolkien’s works around the world were waiting for the first two parts, which Prime Video promised to release at once (every other part will be shown every Friday). And they have long argued about what the creators will screw up more and as much as possible. They waited with fear, because each of them has a very clear idea of how Tolkien’s characters and worlds should look. After all, even Peter Jackson did not have a bed of roses when he filmed the Lord of the Rings trilogy and later The Hobbit, which turned out much worse than the first three films. The fans are strict, and a long number of them are bothered by two things in the new series.
The first is the free handling of Tolkien’s idea. The creators set the story in times that the author did not write about. Thus, they got a completely free hand and could come up with almost limitless ideas. Of course, they inserted already known characters or their predecessors into the story. In addition to Galadriel, there is Elrond (Robert Aramayo), the dwarf prince Durin IV. (Owain Arthur), Isildur (Maxim Baldry). And also the dark lord Sauron, which is also being fought against here. On the contrary, I perceive the author’s freedom as an advantage. The creators could spread their own narrative, they have the opportunity to surprise and enchant with something completely new. And on their shoulders they also carry the fate of those who are closely watched by the fans and will be evaluated by them.
The second issue that has long been criticized is the concept of characters. It’s hard to say if it’s due to the super-correct times we live in, or the creators’ efforts to really bring the series closer to all groups of viewers and thereby ensure viewership. In the story there are black elves and hobbits, people of all races. But it’s fine for me. We live in different times than Tolkien. If what is said about him is true, he would certainly be open to such a concept, and if he were alive today, I am convinced that he would not have a problem with the diversity of characters and would himself use the multifaceted and multi-colored world.
Watch the Czech trailers for the series:
So what do the first two parts promise? That we can safely dive into the hitherto unknown history of Middle-earth in a work where the visual form wins, i.e. the creative concept, experts in set design, costumes, masks, camera and visual effects demonstrate their art. At the same time, it maintains the spirit of the original Jackson trilogy of The Lord of the Rings, it is not overpaid and “over-effected”, it works in harmony with the plot. The soundtrack by American composer Bear McCreary (the central theme was written by Howard Shore) is breathtaking. And then there’s the subject of casting again.
Morfydd Clarke in the central role of Galadriel had one of the more difficult tasks. The audience remembers and fell in love with Cate Blanchett in the role of the elven ruler with her otherworldly expression that hid the wisdom of the ages, respect, and the mysterious magic of the elves. At first, Clarke can seem awkward, she is a completely different Galadriel. But in the following moment, the viewer realizes that her hesitation, immaturity, defiance and overall impression is understandable. In elven numbers, she is barely a teenager who is being sought after, desperately trying to achieve the fulfillment of a promise she once made to herself and her brother.
Another actress who caught on as soon as the first posters of her appeared is Sophia Nomvete as Disa, the dwarf princess of the Second Age. And she became a target for two reasons – racial and also because, as a dwarf woman, she does not have a beard. I will leave both without comment and I will remind you again of the copyright of the creators. In any case, Nomvete will immediately win you over in the role and will also intervene in the story. He fits Durin absolutely without reservation. She manages to give the role exactly what the viewer would expect. In the same way, Ismael Cruz Cordova, the black elf Arondir, is a quality successor to Legolas with his courage, skills, abilities… Yet he manages to be different and his own. In short, I would say to all the narrow-minded and prejudiced: Rings of Power has a good cast, its criticism says more about you than the quality of the work.
If the “hit of the year” just hit your mark, that’s up to each of you. For us, I would give the series a rating between 75 and 85% after the first two episodes, but the decisive thing is what the writers will surprise us with in the next ones. I perceive the opening parts as the first meeting and introduction of the characters, stepping into the story that is yet to unfold. The start is slower, although here we already have the opportunity to see examples of battles, scary creatures, and above all breathtaking and spectacular shots of many places. There is plenty of time left until the last episode of this series, which will be available on October 14, 2022. And then we will be able to bill the creators. We’ll see if he earns his place of honor at the set tables of the elven Ravine or the doom and hot flames of Mordor.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (series)
Czech premiere: 2 September 2022, Prime Video
USA, Action / Adventure / Fantasy / Drama • 2022, 8 h 12 min (Runtime: 60-67 min./episode) • Creators: Patrick McKay, John D. Payne • Directors: JA Bayona, Wayne Yip, Charlotte Brändström • Original : John Ronald Reuel Tolkien • Screenplay: Helen Shang, Gennifer Hutchison, Justin Doble and others • Cinematography: Oscar Faura, Aaron Morton, Alex Disenhof • Music: Bear McCreary, Howard Shore.
Starring: Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Maxim Baldry, Markella Kavenagh, Peter Mullan, Joseph Mawle, Ema Horvath, Morfydd Clark and others.