Shannara

Review of Season One:

I watched THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES mainly because I'm a fantasy fan and I vaguely remember reading the books some twenty or so years ago. The stories haven't stayed with me so it was as if I came to this series feeling fresh. I'd hoped for something intelligent and authentic, maybe along the lines of GAME OF THRONES, although of course I wasn't foolish enough to expect anything approaching the quality of that production. What I got was a TV series that verges on the amateur. This is closer to IN THE NAME OF THE KING than LORD OF THE RINGS, and in every single episode the lack of a decent budget is more than apparent. At times the set-bound adventures look like they should be taking place on a stage in some cheesy theatrical production; certainly the costumes and in particular the look of the monsters is quite ridiculous.

The storyline has been condensed down so that there seems to be a lack of material to fill the episodes. What we do get is a dumbed down script that seems to have gone for the young adult market, so most of the cast is populated by bland youths who simper around and spend far too much of the time navel gazing instead of getting on with stuff. Not that THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES is all bad. There's a fantastic role for the reliable Manu Bennett (Crixus from SPARTACUS), who is undoubtedly the best thing in it and who automatically raieses the interest. John Rhys-Davies is here too. Some of the CGI effects aren't too shabby, and I was pleased to note that with a few violent scenes that this isn't a production entirely aimed at the kids. But I notice that they're making a second season of this show, and if they want it to be, you know, good, then they're going to have to do a lot better than this barely-passable offering.

I loved season 1 and gave it a rating of 7.

Season 2 is nothing like that. I really have to pay attention not to fall asleep watching each episode. The mystique is gone and the entertainment is waning. I have reached episode 6 and found it no different from the forgoing episodes. The time has come to face the truth; season 2 is not worth a rating of 7. I therefore downgrade the series to 6 and hope that it doesn't get worse, when it no longer qualifies to watch.

Pity. I have never read the books so cannot compare it with the written words. I will see season 2 out, but cannot guarantee to watch a season 3, if this is on the cards.

The show is pretty much your classic MTV show, piled on top of Terry Brooks' novels. Female empowerment angle? Check. Lazy exposition where a character says things for no reason other than to inform the audience? Check. Teenagers being super moody, irrational, all while doing cool things? Check. It's far from the worst thing I have ever watched, but also far from what could have been done with these novels. The show is largely targeted at the young teen crowd, and you can see elements of twilight all over it.

Short breakdown: Costumes: 3/10 For the most part looking like kids in costumes (there are a few exceptions). Stitching and materials all looking modern. Elf ears look plastic.

Plot: 6/10 The plot isn't complex, but is consistent and followable.

Dialogue/acting: 4/10 Again, more modern teenage angst than appropriate for the world it is set in.

Worldbuilding: 8/10 Terry left them a good world. They only messed it up a little. Hopefully we will see some more in future episodes.

Synopsis: I'll probably watch another few episodes, and I will probably regret doing so.

I waited for this expecting a new fantasy show, an interesting world, fantastic characters with different traits and magic and... all I got was a stupid teenage soap opera. What a garbage. But then I read "MTV", great, stupid me expecting quality when all they produce is quantity. So so sad...

I have not read the source books (never even knew they exist), so I do not have any reference to how much the TV version deviates from it. But I found the world presentation pretty good, all the overgrown technology etc. I would welcome a bit more of the other races (Gnomes/Dwarves), but it might be too soon for that.

However, I think that the "eyes up here" scene at river in Episode 3 was a bit pointless, but probably had to be due to it being on MTV. Also, Wil in few scenes sounds like Hayden Christensen in SW prequels, which is to say, awful, but it is just few scenes, so it is bearable.

But, the special effects are pretty good or a TV show and most actors are pretty good as well.

I would give the series a chance, see how it develops.