Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Let me get something out of the way: The visuals of the show have some stunning moments. There are scenes that are simply beautiful. Sauron's reflection in the water was cool to see. The Balrog looked dope. Some of the scenes are whimsical and fun. But these small details do not make for a good show. The writing: The script is terrible, the plot is completely predictable, the entire show reads like a bottom tier fanfic. (Not)Gandalf screaming out I'M GOOD! was nothing short of cringey. The battle sequence where the Numenorians show up to the town to defend it from orcs...how did they mess this up? It's pretty difficult to do...and yet, they did. The stunts they had Galadriel do on her horse didn't make any sense, why would she completely hang off of her horse to dodge an arrow? She could've...you know...moved out of the way? Then one slice from her blade makes an orc EXPLODE! HAHAHA Oh man, I'm laughing a little just remembering this scene. The plot: It moves at a snail's pace. Each episode could've easily been condensed into half the time and they wouldn't have needed to cut anything important. Even the season finale just dragged on with so many pointless scenes that did nothing to push things along. The way it goes, the plot is driving the characters, not the other way around. Oftentimes, the direction the story goes is pointless and unnecessary. The disrespect: Ultimately the entire show disregards 90% of what Tolkien wrote as the lore for Lord of the Rings. Galadriel acts like a petulant child, despite being older than Celebrimbor. The elves look like a bunch of Keeblers rather than the graceful and ethereal Tolkien elves. Annatar...I'm sorry, Halbrand gained the trust of Celebrimbor and other elves in two days, did what took centuries, and now the rings are made completely out of order. Galadriel was essentially banished from the Undying Lands, until she passed her test by refusing the One Ring, so why would they put her on a boat to go back there? Why is her husband dead? Why is Sauron basically an incel now? Why are there multiple Durins existing at once? They literally disregarded most of Tolkien's works and made up their own story, AKA fanfiction. This show is nothing short of a travesty, despite it's very few and fleeting moments of decent moments. The only original character that fell in line with the lore, ironically enough, was Adar who is ultimately a side character we're not meant to care about long term. It made me want to root for the orcs! Sad, just sad... The entire first season should've been Annatar...I'm sorry, Halbrand gaining the trust of the elves, staging the coup against the leadership of Eregion, the creation of the 16 rings of power, his secret creation of the One, and the creation of the three elven rings free from corruption. You could still add in some original characters and events without undoing everything Tolkien wrote. Sprinkle in some side stories, a good amount of action sequences, and bam, much better show than what we got that would be an adaptation that is respectful to the lore. I will not be watching Season 2. If you are a Tolkien fan, in any regard, and you haven't watched this yet...you will be sorely disappointed. This show deserves the 1 star. It belongs in the bin.