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Reviews
The Shannara Chronicles (2016)
Teenage Drama
If you expect something like Game Of Thrones you will be disappointed.
The novels are well known by most fans of the fantasy genre, and some of it's good ideas can be seen in this adaption.
However, the plot is one dimensional, the acting awful and it's mainly an (american) teenage drama mixed with some silly fantasy elements. The protagonists act exactly like (stupid) teenagers, the adults sadly act on the same level.
Could have been an interesting show if not epic, but as it is, it's just a waste of time.
However, when you are into silly teenage dramas like the 100 for example (which i think is about on the same level), you should give it a try.
Barbarians (2020)
Mediocre
For a low budget series it's solid, but sadly follows a cookie butter approach.
The storyline is boring as are the dialogues. For some reason the actors disguise their voices in many scenes, probably to sound more historic/barbarian or whatever, making it totaly unbelievable.
As for historical accuracy, they did some stuff right as far as i can tell. For example the huts looked right and unlike in most hollywood productions, the barbarians aren't covered in dirt all the time and wear only colorless clothes.
But the tribe has a lot of metal (weapons) in it's possesion, the clubs they use look like from a caveman (they had simple but very effective weapons) and some of the "helmets" are plain ridiculous, even though in most hollywood productions it's even worse.
Not to mention the changes they made in historical facts, like for example that they made Varus the foster-father of Arminius. That's in my opinion just bad writing trying to add more drama.
What i liked a lot is, that they romans spoke latin while the tribes spoke modern german.
As for the battle(s) itself. there is nothing to be seen of the power of the roman legions, they are just faceless minions that get slaughtered like sheep. But on the other side it's not much better, they ambush in reality was a very well planned trap and the attacks lasted over several days. Instead they used fire to burn the romans, but at least they didn't use fire arrows or arrows at all, which is a plus factor (even though roman armies often had archers). On the other hand, i can't remember seeing any slingers either, a very popular and effective ranged weapon in that time period.
Alltogether, this series is watchable, but i wouldn't recommend it to anyone as a must see. On the other hand, historical series and/or movies set in that period of time are relative scarce, and if you are into it, then you should watch it.
Kingdom (2019)
Good if you have no brain!
Nearly everyone, including the main protagonist, are incredible stupid. Most of their decisions make no sense, even though the writer seemed to have the intention to have them look heroic. I don't want to go into any details, because i don't want to spoil anything.
Some of the characters are intentional stupid, probably to add some humor ... it failed. To give general examples, the protagonists just stand there when something is happening, watching, watching, until it's nearly too late, then they act. This happens not once, but everytime something happens. The main protagonist is supposed to be a crown prince and has some fighting skills and can write, but he has no clue of leadership, strategy or whatever, even though the series makes us believe he was raised as a prince. A lot of people die or get infected because of their stupidity.
Everything is just duct-taped to rise tention.
When you shut off your brain, the series may be fun to watch. The acting is acceptable and sometimes even good, the cinematography is enjoyable and the action scenes are well made. Therefore not all is bad.
Alltogether this series is highly overrated and there are tons of (korean) series that are way better.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
It's like being thirsty and getting a coke ...
I liked the movie L.O.T.R., i liked the novel The Hobbit. I watched this movie with curiosity how the charme and the esprit of this great novel would be adapted.
After seeing this movie, i started to ask myself if i had glamourized the novel in my memories after all the years since i read it. My memories always told me it was one of the most amusing novels ever. And i am sure it was.
But what i saw on screen had nothing to do with that novel. O.k., the names are the same, the title is the same, i have to admit, the story has some affinities ... but thats it. It's another boring fantasy action movie and it's nothing else then L.O.T.R. part four to me ... a bad one i have to point out. Instead of mastering their adventures with intellect and charm, the heroes seem to be on a mission to "kill and destroy". And the story of fighting through middle earth for nearly 3 boring hours never seemed to find an end to me. But thats not the worst. There will be a sequel ... . If my girl would say she wants to see the second part in movie with me, i really would think she don't love me anymore and want to quit the relationship.
My advice, if you haven't seen this movie yet, just be happy (and may buy the novel)!!!
Merkwürdige Lebensgeschichte des Friedrich Freiherrn von der Trenck (1973)
Enjoyable life story of a prussian soldier
This series follows the ups and downs in the life of Friedrich Freiherr von der Trenck.
The costumes and the scenery seems very realistic to me, also the behavior of the actors. Like in most series, the battle scenes aren't made that good, but it's not that important, of course the series has a more biographic touch. The story is focused on Friedrich, played by Matthias Habich (The Downfall, Nowhere in Africa), in my opinion a good German actor. Friedrich himself is famous for being one of the kings of prison escapees. He is shown as talented, charismatic and self-opinionated soldier who consistently gets into trouble because of his affairs to powerful women.
I think it's hard to get this series if you aren't able to understand German, but if you like movies like Barry Lyndon and other stuff that is placed in that period of time, you really should try to get your hands on it.
Game of Thrones (2011)
Really great
I've seen by accident that the novel was turned into a TV series. I watched all parts in in two rows and now i'm unhappy, of course April is that far away.
I don't want to give a summary, i just want to say this: As i read the books, i thought that would be great as a movie like Lord of the rings. As series it's even better, of course the story isn't shortened.
All fantasy series i've seen so far, are made cheap and lack of a good story. And with fantasy, i mean real fantasy, sword fighting and dragons. This is the adaption of a very good novel and it's realized well.
For all fans of fantasy a MUST SEE. For all others ... forget what you have seen so far (except for rare stuff like Lord of the rings and Willow), try this out. May you will find your way to fantasy!
Pride and Prejudice (1995)
A love story to be loved to
By accident i watched the adaption of Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen and i really enjoyed it. I thought there couldn't be a more rousing movie about love and it's imponderables. I was wrong.
After checking the IMDb i watched this version and it hit me like a ton of bricks. I liked most of the characters and laughed multiple times, especially about the ridiculous behaviour of Mr. Collins, the dry comments of Mr. Bennet and the suffering of "poor" Mrs. Bennet. I think it's hard to understand the actions and behavior of the characters from our modern point of view, by watching this adaption it seemed all so clear to me. I could not imagine that there will ever be a better adaption than this one.
For me as German i must confess, that the British language, gestures and mimics always seemed a little to affective to me to take it seriously. But after watching Pride and Prejudice and , as a result of watching it, some other British stuff, i must reconsider. Now i like it very much and i hopefully will enjoy more literature and movies made in UK.
No need to say that i already bought the book (in English of course) and enjoyed it like not many books before.