‘The Rings of Power’ First Reactions Praise ‘Lord of the Rings’ Series as ‘Big, Bold and Beautiful’
“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” Amazon Studios’ ambitious fantasy series based on the works of author J.R.R. Tolkien and reportedly the most expensive television series ever made, premieres Sept. 2 on Amazon Prime Video. But as the social embargo lifts, critics and fans who have seen the first two episodes ahead of time are flocking to Twitter to share their opinions on the highly anticipated series.
Eric Francisco, senior film/TV writer at Inverse, hailed “Rings of Power” as “big, bold and beautiful” but indicated uncertainty as to whether the prequel series will “sit alongside” Peter Jackson’s film trilogy or “deserve Tolkien’s name.”
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“For now, it’s all the maximalist pizazz one might expect from a historically expensive production,” he wrote.
I've seen #RingsofPower and I can say for certain you're in for a treat. Big, bold, and beautiful to behold. TBD if it'll sit alongside Jackson's films or deserve Tolkien's name, but for now it's all the maximalist pizazz one might expect from a historically expensive production. pic.twitter.com/Fgwh5L8eYC
— Eric Francisco (@EricFrancisco24) August 24, 2022
“The first two episodes of #LordoftheRings #RingsofPower are a spectacular sight to behold,” added Brandon Katz, senior TV reporter at The Wrap. “The scale, scope, ambition and grandiosity is unrivaled on TV. It also has the laborious task of introducing SO much necessary world building that it takes a bit to set flight.”
Okay so the first two episodes of #LordoftheRings #RingsofPower are a spectacular sight to behold. The scale, scope, ambition and grandiosity is unrivaled on TV. It also has the laborious task of introducing SO much necessary world building that it takes a bit to set flight.
— Brandon Katz (@Great_Katzby) August 24, 2022
Rodrigo Salem, an entertainment journalist at Brazilian outlet Folha, wrote: “Rings of Power” is a cinematic experience. In a perfect world, we would watch it on a big screen. It’s pure Tolkien and yet feels very connected to Peter Jackson’s movies. The FX are brilliant, the acting is superb and the PROLOGUE itself will destroy any awful feeling you had.”
"Rings of Power" is a cinematic experience. In a perfect world, we would watch it on a big screen. It's pure Tolkien and yet feels very connected to Peter Jackson's movies. The FX are brilliant, the acting is superb and the PROLOGUE itself will destroy any awful feeling you had. pic.twitter.com/OQujU0qOYP
— Salem (@rodrigosalem) August 24, 2022
Devan Coggan, a senior writer at Entertainment Weekly, shared on Twitter: “I have seen the first two episodes of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” and they are a total joy. Watching it feels like stepping back into Middle-earth. I cannot wait to see where this story goes.”
I have seen the first two episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and they are a total joy. Watching it feels like stepping back into Middle-earth. I cannot wait to see where this story goes.
— Devan Coggan (@devancoggan) August 24, 2022
“Having seen the first two episodes of #RingsOfPower, I have to admit I was surprised how much I liked it,” wrote Stacy Lambe, senior editor of TV and streaming at Entertainment Tonight. “The lush and expansive series very much breathes new life into the franchise. And it’s a show that I think people will enjoy once they allow themselves to be sucked into it.
Having seen the first two episodes of #RingsOfPower, I have to admit I was surprised how much I liked it. The lush and expansive series very much breathes new life into the franchise. And it’s a show that I think people will enjoy once they allow themselves to be sucked into it.
— Stacy Lambe (@sllambe) August 24, 2022
Set thousands of years before the events of “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings” and “The Hobbit,” the series takes place during the Second Age of Middle-earth, which covers the rise and fall of Númenor, the creation of the titular rings and the formation of the Last Alliance. “The Rings of Power” also re-introduces iconic “Lord of the Rings” characters such as a young Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) and Elrond (Robert Aramayo).
Along with Clark and Aramayo, the cast includes Owain Arthur, Nazanin Boniadi, Tom Budge, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle, Tyroe Muhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Charlie Vickers and Daniel Weyman.
Amazon Studios started developing “The Rings of Power” in 2017 in an effort to produce more mainstream content, spending $250 million to purchase the rights from Tolkien’s estate. The series’ budget for its first season was an estimated $465 million.
“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” is directed by J.A. Bayona, Wayne Che Yip and Charlotte Brändström. Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne serve as showrunners and executive producers on the series.
Read more first reactions below:
I watched the first two episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: it’s grand, bold, and ambitious, and I absolutely loved it. The shots of Middle-earth were stunning and I wish everyone could see it on the big screen pic.twitter.com/agmGn3PrbZ
— Kat Moon 孟祥悅 (@katxmoon) August 24, 2022
I've seen the first 2 episodes of #LordOfTheRings #TheRingsOfPower. It is stunningly gorgeous to look at, and the score is beautiful. It also takes a while to get going, and there's a LOT going on. But for fans of the movies, it'll take you right back at points once it's rolling.
— Alex Zalben (@azalben) August 24, 2022
I’ve seen the first two episodes of Rings of Power!
I really, really dig it so far. It’s slower, and I’m savouring all the build up. Beyond a couple of cheeky nods, it’s not trying to be Jackson’s trilogy, it’s standing apart on its own, and I am so excited to see where it goes— Lucy James (@lucyjamesgames) August 24, 2022
First impressions of THE LORD OF THE RINGS: #TheRingsOfPower @LOTRonPrime first 2 episodes:
– Vivid
– Ebullient
– Highly Cinematic
– Enriching
– Earnestly Heartfelt
– Bit Outside the Box
– Ready to Win Your Heart
– Ready to Start Hardcore Lore Debates
– Everyone Wins #Tolkien pic.twitter.com/TqsfqgG4O9— Clifford Broadway (@Quickbeam2000) August 24, 2022
Mellon! I have seen the first two episodes of The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power: The Series and it's overwhelming and shiny and all I wanna do is pour over maps and climb trees and read poems and talk about my theories (I have theories!) while eating berries 🙏🌿
— Leah Marilla Thomas (@leahmarilla) August 24, 2022
this is just to say that i have seen the first two episodes of THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RINGS OF POWER and am battening down the hatches to prepare for my old-and-yet-also-new hyperfixation
— karen han (@karenyhan) August 24, 2022
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