Daniel Ossola

The Lord of The Rings trilogy hits a soft spot in me unlike any other story. It takes me on a fantasy invoked ride filled with; adventure, strength of character, beauty, fellowship, power, and a deep desire to fight for what is right. The soundtrack is phenomenal, the cast… outstanding, and the director does all he can to translate what he knows J.R.Tolkien wrote, into visual form. The new series, The Rings of Power has been quite disappointing in comparison. There’s been none of the qualities that I have known from the previous films. And have been disappointed by the failure to translate purely what Tolkien intended this world to be. I don’t think he intended Galadriel to be a woman working through what seems to be childhood trauma, giving you the sense that she is fighting the urge to fist-fight anyone she comes across. If her only goal truly was to eradicate evil throughout the lands of Middle Earth, I’d hope she’d be much less stuck up and self-absorbed. This is just the top of the list of multiple character flaws that I’ve picked up on. I could go on but I’ll let you make those judgements. On a lighter note, the visuals did deliver some amazing scenes, and the soundtrack’s been pleasant. I just wish that there were more men with hair going halfway down their back. I doubt faded haircuts were in. Although my love for the immersive world of Tolkien will make me watch the whole series… this show leaves me with a sense that it’s written more with a desire to tick boxes than to deliver an eye-watering experience filled with fellowship and adventure. I’d prefer the latter.