I started watching this series without any knowledge about, I only know that Manu Bennett is part of the cast, and that alone, is worth my time, because I'm a big fan of his. That being said, the rest of the cast are also spot-on, particularly John Rhys-Davies as the King of the Elven Kingdom. While I'm not totally blown away by this pilot, I think it's done well to set-up what's coming and introduce the characters well. The location and scenery are beautiful, the costumes are stylish. The cinematography is good and the score is nice.
3 Reviews
Not a big fan of the book series, but this first episode got me interested
gavin-thelordofthefu-48-4602977 February 2018
I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of the book series this TV series is based on, but this episode got me a bit interested. OK, I wasn't expecting this beginning of the episode to be a masterpiece because it does have some of the same fantasy cliches we've seen a million times before, but I think the world introduction was well-done. It had some very nice scenery and the CGI, while not the best I've seen, was at least tolerable enough. Also, the character introduction wasn't that bad at all either and have some potential to be compelling. And then you have a music score that, while too electronic in some parts, does have an atmospheric quality throughout the episode.
What got me interested in this episode, however, was the two casting choices. Manu Bennett, who most people remember as Slade Wilson (Deathstroke) from CW's Arrow, does make a very good character in Allanon and John Rhys-Davies as the Elven King (which is ironic, considering he played Gimli in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy) did seem to have fitted the role really well. As for the actors who played the main leads, they did fine. Not as interesting as the two actors I already mentioned, but they tried their best with what they were given.
Overall, this episode isn't quite a strong start, but thanks to it's world introduction, I got interested I decided to watch other episodes, but not the entire first season, which I'm planning to for this month.
What got me interested in this episode, however, was the two casting choices. Manu Bennett, who most people remember as Slade Wilson (Deathstroke) from CW's Arrow, does make a very good character in Allanon and John Rhys-Davies as the Elven King (which is ironic, considering he played Gimli in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy) did seem to have fitted the role really well. As for the actors who played the main leads, they did fine. Not as interesting as the two actors I already mentioned, but they tried their best with what they were given.
Overall, this episode isn't quite a strong start, but thanks to it's world introduction, I got interested I decided to watch other episodes, but not the entire first season, which I'm planning to for this month.
First glances not to be believed
FluxMarshall29 February 2016
Warning: Spoilers
The first 10-15mins of the show don't make for a great sell to a mature audience. The show's broadcast on MTV in the US and Channel 5 in the UK, which nearly put me off as most shows on those broadcasters don't interest me at all. That, coupled with the strong influences of the Hunger Games series on the first couple of scenes, seem to attempt to sell the show to a teenage audience. However, sticking with the, rather stretching, 80minute introduction, gripped me. Yes, the show is full of Fantasy clichés, the obvious Lord Of the Rings reflections in the handing of a sacred sword to our protagonist and the coming of a wise, old magic-user (more on him later) to name but 2.
Manu Bennett's setup is a great sell of a red herring. A lot of people will still remember his superb turn as Deathstroke, on Arrow, a heel role he seemed to fit into like a hand in a glove. Well the Shannara Chronicles seems to set him up as the antagonist, imagine epic magical rebirth. But we soon learn he's pretty much the opposite of this. Again, he plays this role pretty well so far.
John Rhys-Davies inclusion will surely cause a few nerd-splosions, as a man who once played a dwarf might be seen as a blasphemer donning Elven ears. That said, he's definitely a man who fits his role well.
Aside from those 2 casting choices, the younger stars are unknown to me, but do seem to be good choices. The shallow side of me will say the girls are definitely a good fit.
All that said, I'm just delving into episode 5 so its obviously a thumbs up from me.
Manu Bennett's setup is a great sell of a red herring. A lot of people will still remember his superb turn as Deathstroke, on Arrow, a heel role he seemed to fit into like a hand in a glove. Well the Shannara Chronicles seems to set him up as the antagonist, imagine epic magical rebirth. But we soon learn he's pretty much the opposite of this. Again, he plays this role pretty well so far.
John Rhys-Davies inclusion will surely cause a few nerd-splosions, as a man who once played a dwarf might be seen as a blasphemer donning Elven ears. That said, he's definitely a man who fits his role well.
Aside from those 2 casting choices, the younger stars are unknown to me, but do seem to be good choices. The shallow side of me will say the girls are definitely a good fit.
All that said, I'm just delving into episode 5 so its obviously a thumbs up from me.
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