... it has a lot of problems.
First off, yes, I am one of those people who read the books. However, it was a considerable time ago and much of the detail has been lost to my memories. Given that this was an MTV production, I adjusted my expectations accordingly and determined to give it a shot.
So, what is it like? Well, it is a fantasy, first and foremost. Terry Brooks novels are decently involved and over the years have expanded much of the lore surrounding the world of Shannara and the mythology that led to its creation from our own world. I guess there must be at least twenty books by now regarding it.
That said, though the basic story of this series is taken from the novel The Elfstones of Shannara, there have been some liberties taken with the source material and it is these which I find the most irksome.
Firstly, though the Four Lands were once our Earth, the series tries too hard to remind you of this at every turn. The novels were set so far in the future that almost nothing was left of our world, yet in the show, we see old car wrecks, rusting ships, broken overpasses and so on scattered around. They made a conscious effort to push up the post-apocalyptic feel, which is entirely absent in the stories. This doesn't in itself do anything other than feel jarring. It takes you out of the moment, somewhat, every time some piece of old technology shows up.
Secondly, and far more irritatingly, is the decision to use modern terminology in this fantasy setting. I'm sorry, but when I watch a fantasy show/movie, I don't expect any of the characters to talk about "sloppy seconds" in reference to their sex life. Again, jarring and takes you out of the moment. I don't expect "thee's" and "thou's" and Olde English speak, but I also don't expect to be beaten about the face by modern slang, terminology and turns of phrase.
I mean, I get it is aimed primarily at teens and so has to cater to that audience to some extent, but honestly, I think teens will get it if you use slightly less luridly anachronistic language.
The story is fairly reasonable and hasn't suffered too badly in the script-writing room. No real liberties taken, though most of the characters are inherently unlikable due to being teen-ified beyond all measure. The characters of Wil, King Eventine and Alanon aren't too bad and are the only truly normal seeming people in the series. Everyone else appears to be directed to be bitchy, whiny and thoroughly aggravating, at which they seem to excel.
Quality of production-wise, this is firmly in the Legends of the Seeker category. Just a shame this show doesn't have either Bruce Spence or Jessica Marais along to liven it up. However, the effects are decent and far more acceptable than some of the dialogue, so it has that much at least.
Since this has been given a second season, I can only surmise it gets better later on in the first season run, but I'm only half way through so far and it is becoming a struggle. I shall persevere, but if it doesn't improve then I won't be waiting eagerly for season 2. If season 2 does emerge, I hope they'll change the opening credits sequence. It's quite the cacophonic shambles, and does nothing to let you know you're supposed to be watching a fantasy series, believe me.
EDIT: So I reached episode 8 and guess what? Apparently I missed the bit in the books where the characters get to watch an episode of Star Trek followed by a nice disco/rave. I only wish I were joking about this muppetry. Holy Shatner! There's taking liberties with the source material and then there's taking the p*ss. They even have a gun now!
SUMMARY: Discount Legends of the Seeker style-show aimed at teens. Discount acting and sub-par dialogue make it a struggle to watch in places, but the story is decent as are the effects. Does the source material a very great disservice, but it could be worse, I suppose.
First off, yes, I am one of those people who read the books. However, it was a considerable time ago and much of the detail has been lost to my memories. Given that this was an MTV production, I adjusted my expectations accordingly and determined to give it a shot.
So, what is it like? Well, it is a fantasy, first and foremost. Terry Brooks novels are decently involved and over the years have expanded much of the lore surrounding the world of Shannara and the mythology that led to its creation from our own world. I guess there must be at least twenty books by now regarding it.
That said, though the basic story of this series is taken from the novel The Elfstones of Shannara, there have been some liberties taken with the source material and it is these which I find the most irksome.
Firstly, though the Four Lands were once our Earth, the series tries too hard to remind you of this at every turn. The novels were set so far in the future that almost nothing was left of our world, yet in the show, we see old car wrecks, rusting ships, broken overpasses and so on scattered around. They made a conscious effort to push up the post-apocalyptic feel, which is entirely absent in the stories. This doesn't in itself do anything other than feel jarring. It takes you out of the moment, somewhat, every time some piece of old technology shows up.
Secondly, and far more irritatingly, is the decision to use modern terminology in this fantasy setting. I'm sorry, but when I watch a fantasy show/movie, I don't expect any of the characters to talk about "sloppy seconds" in reference to their sex life. Again, jarring and takes you out of the moment. I don't expect "thee's" and "thou's" and Olde English speak, but I also don't expect to be beaten about the face by modern slang, terminology and turns of phrase.
I mean, I get it is aimed primarily at teens and so has to cater to that audience to some extent, but honestly, I think teens will get it if you use slightly less luridly anachronistic language.
The story is fairly reasonable and hasn't suffered too badly in the script-writing room. No real liberties taken, though most of the characters are inherently unlikable due to being teen-ified beyond all measure. The characters of Wil, King Eventine and Alanon aren't too bad and are the only truly normal seeming people in the series. Everyone else appears to be directed to be bitchy, whiny and thoroughly aggravating, at which they seem to excel.
Quality of production-wise, this is firmly in the Legends of the Seeker category. Just a shame this show doesn't have either Bruce Spence or Jessica Marais along to liven it up. However, the effects are decent and far more acceptable than some of the dialogue, so it has that much at least.
Since this has been given a second season, I can only surmise it gets better later on in the first season run, but I'm only half way through so far and it is becoming a struggle. I shall persevere, but if it doesn't improve then I won't be waiting eagerly for season 2. If season 2 does emerge, I hope they'll change the opening credits sequence. It's quite the cacophonic shambles, and does nothing to let you know you're supposed to be watching a fantasy series, believe me.
EDIT: So I reached episode 8 and guess what? Apparently I missed the bit in the books where the characters get to watch an episode of Star Trek followed by a nice disco/rave. I only wish I were joking about this muppetry. Holy Shatner! There's taking liberties with the source material and then there's taking the p*ss. They even have a gun now!
SUMMARY: Discount Legends of the Seeker style-show aimed at teens. Discount acting and sub-par dialogue make it a struggle to watch in places, but the story is decent as are the effects. Does the source material a very great disservice, but it could be worse, I suppose.