First of all, ill say that I didn't read the book, nor did I ever heard of it. Second; I watched the first 6 episodes so far (thats 6 hours).
Most reviews are mainly positive, but many of those are written by the book readers. If one feels that you have to read the book to enjoy the series this review is not for you.
This series is a drag. I think thats the best way to describe it. Its a never ending introduction of people whom may become important later or whom may not, you don't know for sure. Its about intrigue, backstabbing, leadership, honor, good, evil all that.. but it doesn't deliver. Some things happen, and if it does the show will definitely let you know "something" happened. Even if its not that special it will become the main part of the story for to long.
Six episodes is almost 6 hours, nothing 'epic'/'grand' happened. All six hours is talk and no show. You might see a sword fight or two (not much more), but no battles or some breath holding scenes. Even those who love this series cannot deny this. There are no real scenes in it, which will 'take you away', in lack of better words.
So far, to me, this is a soap opera, and a bad one at that. You keep switching from story line to story line, and although they are put together nicely it just gets boring after an hour or 4. Once again I'd like to state that nothing really happens.
There is one thing this series does. It somehow keeps you interested. I think I know why. its because the story lines that are plotted out continually give you the feeling something grand is going to happen. I had that feeling since episode 1, but it never delivered. They set-up this epic wars and battles that are bound to happen, but they don't. I imagine something will happen soon enough, but its too late imo.
I am not watching dragon ball (or am I?). I don't want to watch 6 to 8 hours for one action episode. That makes it a SOAP. I am all for 'complicated'/ extended story lines, but not this. Its to much. To much characters you need to know, to much different protagonists, to much parallel story lines.
Acting wise, I am not to impressed (also not disappointed). Its hard, because there are to many lead-roles. The big roles are filled by competent actors. In this aspect they do transcend a soap, but there are many roles that are filled with lesser ones. (for me; Jaime Lannister and Jon Snow don't hit it)
I am not shy to sex-scenes. I am from The low lands and we like to make sex the main basis of all our movies, but come on. The abundant nakedness almost makes me think someone is compensating... for lack of action that is. Sex scenes are fine, but imo to much emphasis is placed on some in this series and that makes it a bit weird now and then.
To conclude; I actually don't think my comparison with dragonball, for the ones familiar, is that bad. One battle could last a season. In this case a season is comparable to the preface of a DBZ episode. It only remains interesting because they constantly talk about grand wars and actually ride to war since episode one, but the 2 out of (the?!?) three sword fights are fought with wooden swords (not kidding) and my patience is starting to evaporate soon.
Most reviews are mainly positive, but many of those are written by the book readers. If one feels that you have to read the book to enjoy the series this review is not for you.
This series is a drag. I think thats the best way to describe it. Its a never ending introduction of people whom may become important later or whom may not, you don't know for sure. Its about intrigue, backstabbing, leadership, honor, good, evil all that.. but it doesn't deliver. Some things happen, and if it does the show will definitely let you know "something" happened. Even if its not that special it will become the main part of the story for to long.
Six episodes is almost 6 hours, nothing 'epic'/'grand' happened. All six hours is talk and no show. You might see a sword fight or two (not much more), but no battles or some breath holding scenes. Even those who love this series cannot deny this. There are no real scenes in it, which will 'take you away', in lack of better words.
So far, to me, this is a soap opera, and a bad one at that. You keep switching from story line to story line, and although they are put together nicely it just gets boring after an hour or 4. Once again I'd like to state that nothing really happens.
There is one thing this series does. It somehow keeps you interested. I think I know why. its because the story lines that are plotted out continually give you the feeling something grand is going to happen. I had that feeling since episode 1, but it never delivered. They set-up this epic wars and battles that are bound to happen, but they don't. I imagine something will happen soon enough, but its too late imo.
I am not watching dragon ball (or am I?). I don't want to watch 6 to 8 hours for one action episode. That makes it a SOAP. I am all for 'complicated'/ extended story lines, but not this. Its to much. To much characters you need to know, to much different protagonists, to much parallel story lines.
Acting wise, I am not to impressed (also not disappointed). Its hard, because there are to many lead-roles. The big roles are filled by competent actors. In this aspect they do transcend a soap, but there are many roles that are filled with lesser ones. (for me; Jaime Lannister and Jon Snow don't hit it)
I am not shy to sex-scenes. I am from The low lands and we like to make sex the main basis of all our movies, but come on. The abundant nakedness almost makes me think someone is compensating... for lack of action that is. Sex scenes are fine, but imo to much emphasis is placed on some in this series and that makes it a bit weird now and then.
To conclude; I actually don't think my comparison with dragonball, for the ones familiar, is that bad. One battle could last a season. In this case a season is comparable to the preface of a DBZ episode. It only remains interesting because they constantly talk about grand wars and actually ride to war since episode one, but the 2 out of (the?!?) three sword fights are fought with wooden swords (not kidding) and my patience is starting to evaporate soon.