Chief of War

I am deaf and I was born and raised in Hawai'i, but with no Hawaiian ancestry. I still have my highest respect in Hawaiian values and culture. When I heard about this TV series by Jason Momoa, I was thrilled to watch. But once I started watching, I was looking around to turn on the subtitles because I am deaf. To my astonishment, I discovered the Hawaiian subtitles!! Luckily, I took the elementary Hawaiian classes at Kapi'olani CC, and to satisfy my curiosity, I turned on the subtitles in Hawaiian and... it gave me goosebumps!! By seeing the subtitles in true Hawaiian language, I was able to read and understood some of them. Incredible!!! I'm excited to be able to watch this with subtitle options being shown in English and Hawaiian. Mahalo, Jason Momoa and the entire crew behind this TV series and Apple TV for this amazing feat!

Finally a series worth watching. Rare gem in a sea of dumbed down tv entertainment. Great story telling, powerful scenes and amazing delivery by a great cast starring Jason Momoa.

This is the type of show that starts in a way that you just know it's going to be a great ride and it didn't disappoint.

Set in the 1800s across the Hawaiian islands, the series unfolds against the backdrop of rival kingdoms and an ancient prophecy foretelling the rise of a unifying ruler. The premise is both fresh and steeped in cultural richness

The cinematography is absolutely top-tier. Each scene feels immersive, authentic, and visually stunning; bringing the lush landscapes and intense battles to life with incredible detail. The action choreography is particularly impressive; the fights feel visceral and raw, more like real combat than staged sequences.

The writing has been strong so far. The story flows well and keeps you engaged throughout. The first episode is tightly paced and impactful. The second episode slows down a bit in the middle but finishes strong. Some points may feel a little predictable but they land effectively within the story's context.

The cast is excellent. Both lead and supporting actors deliver powerful performances, conveying raw emotions that help you connect with the characters on a deeper level.

A standout feature is the use of native Hawaiian languages throughout the first two episodes. This creative choice adds an incredible layer of authenticity and reflects the creators' respect and passion for the culture.

I would definitely recommend this to watch. It is a great action series with a fresh concept.

(This review will be edited as more episodes are released)

To those complaining about the language and subs - you do realise that not everyone in this world speaks English..? That there are many different languages? Have you not ever watched foreign movie? JC. My mother is 75 and watches everything in original with subtitles. If you can't manage then it's not the series problem. This is beautifully narrated and filmed story so far. Kudos to all actors.

I have been waiting forever for a good series about the early Hawaiian kingdom being united. I only watched the first one, and I'm sold so far. I hope they keep close to the historical events (even with Hollywood artistic interpretation or embellishments). The first inaccuracy is that the women did not cover up their upper bodies until the missionaries came and made them cover up...but you can't have all the women topless in this series...ha. Many scenes with actors are not filmed in Hawaii, but I guess it's hard to get known Mauna and the backgrounds of scenes without CGI or getting rid of all the current buildings and architecture. You can also tell that many extras and background people are New Zealanders and such. I wished they had used more extras with real Hawaiian bloodlines (the scene where they embarked on O'ahu's beach for battle was obvious). I don't know why they couldn't use more Hawaiian "locals" for parts. It was funny to see "Aquaman" and his dad, Tom Curry, share leadership scenes together in this series....

I was born on Maui, went to high school on Kauai, but unfortunately missed my junior year of Hawaiian history. Hopefully this will be on spot and a good for all to understand da early days of the islands...before England, U. S. and settlers took over, of course. Strap in...I feel this is going to be a good series.

Cinemography/editing is decent but typical without creative angles. Music is decent, but it would be awesome if they used more light chants in the background to intensify action or dramatic scenes (Kahiko, Auana, Hapa Haole, etc.). Acting is decent for the main characters. Overall, I am excited to see what this brings. Will it be as good as what "Shogun" did in telling Japan's samurai ancient history? Let's see how they do...