Les chroniques de 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 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 love this series of books..what I am really tired of in general is when they turn these book series into tv series or movies and they can't be true to the story, I hate when they add stuff in that doesn't belong. I hate when they change the order if events. I hate when if in a book they describe a characters looks a certain way and they look nothing like the description. I hate when they add characters in that weren't a part of the book to begin with. I would rather see 2-4 episodes per book and do it right as per the book.

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.

In presenting "The Shannara Chronicles", MTV leaves the real world behind and, surprisingly, gives us a scripted fantasy series. It might be described as "The Hunger Games" meets the LOTR. The protagonist is a young elven woman, Amberle (Poppy Drayton), who is drawn into a quest to save the Four Lands, which are threatened by demons.

All the trappings of a fantasy tale can be found in this story, including incantations, runes, trolls, gnomes, swords, magic artifacts and even a large tree that is a metaphor for the health of the land and its inhabitants.

The characters are not as developed as one might wish, given how quickly the narrative moves. But there is a wide array of interesting characters, including Wil (Austin Butler), a human/elf halfbreed and Eretria (Ivana Baquero), a rover who lives off the land and the people she meets. And there is Allanon (Manu Bennett), a Druid warrior with mystical powers.

The strengths of the series are its visuals: detailed costumes, striking sets, strong CGI, imaginative makeup, and wonderful scenery, thanks to the New Zealand locations.

I have not read the novels that are the source material for "The Shannara Chronicles", but I believe shows should stand on their own. As such, it is engaging. No doubt some will be enthralled by the fact that two of the three strongest characters are young women. Fans of LOTR cycle and "The Hobbit" should feel comfortable in this world.

Update 3/7/16: The quality of the acting and the plot dropped somewhat in the last episode and a half of the first season. I am dropping my grade to "7".

Update 11/1/17: The writing has grown weaker. Now the dialogue and storyline feel uninspired and contrived. I am dropping my grade to "6".