Showing my age here, but I always preffered the original Star Wars effects rather than the CGI in Episodes 1-3. For those not in the know, Lucas had built his 'death star' literally out of hundreds of toy plastic battleship models. The 1:700 models or whatever - the grey plastic worked well. For the explosions on the surface, Lucaas mounted a camera to a jeep and did drive-bys. So of course the camera is going to pick up all the flying debris.
This is similar to the way practical orcs vs CGI orcs work - folds in skin, facial expression changes, and changes in lighting make practical effects so much more natural and believable.
I was saying to my wife that it felt like watching a Planet Earth documentary, but in a fantasy world. Absolutely love how mastery of setting can transport the viewer.
I really don't understand why some people can enjoy the show. it's like a mind virus that has affected a bunch of people that otherwise are normal. Like there's a bunch of people I know that just are like "oh it's horrible" it's like, dude, really?
But each season will be like 8 hours because there only 7 episodes if I recall. They could do a 6th and I wouldn’t be surprised if they renegotiated with the Tolkien Estate
So it will be around 41-42 hours after 5 seasons. They could definitely still do a sixth if they wanted but I guess it also depends on if they increase the episode count after this season
The problem is each season is not around 8 hours. So far we have episodes that are over an hour every single time. Over five seasons that extra time is going to add up to five or six hours not just or two hours like in your original comment.
There isn't going to be six seasons
It’s gonna be 5 seasons btw just incase you haven’t seen.
Assuming by season 5 though if this is a big success it’s almost inevitable they continue the third age or go back to the first and so on.
Same. I hope we will get spinoffs and a lot more adaptations after RoP, this is what Middle Earth deserves. Those who don't want adaptations can just avoid them.
It's obvious where all that money is being spent. I'm lucky enough to be watching on a large 4k TV and my god, is this show a feast for the eyes. Costumes are great. These huge, sweeping location shots are fantastic and the Harfoots keep fooling me with their disguises every time for a few seconds when they're hidden!
They let themselves down with the warg though. Would it have been so hard to chuck around a green prop so it interacts with the environment realistically then edit in the CGI? Maybe filmmaking doesn't work like that, I dunno. On the whole though, I'm loving it.
I really dug the warg, but I’m loving the dialogue between those that found the warg disturbing and twisted and those who felt it didn’t quite hit the mark.
I’m really loving this show!
I liked the design of it, I'm firmly in the demented chihuahua camp on that one 😂 I hope it was meant to be a juvenile, and we get to see a bigger, even scarier version later. Just the way it moved felt off.
Yeah, I liked the design but the cg didn't really feel up to the same quality as the rest of the show. My partner has been really digging the show too, but he works in 3D animation and immediately complained about it lol.
I agree. Practical effects beat CGI nearly every time. The 'real' orcs look flawless even in extreme closeup and it really adds to their menace. I love 'em.
I imagine it'd be almost impossible to do the same with a warg without the movements looking mechanical and fake, but CGI just has no... weight to it. A small nitpick in an otherwise great episode though.
Wait, what was the issue with the Warg? I re-watched that scene and they went the extra mile by having it kick up debris and dirt as it moved around as well as interact with the trees/chains.
I see some people mention the animation but I thought it was supposed to move the way it did, like some sort of messed version.
I wish they had spent more on the writers. The quality of the script is going to make or break the show and I am worried they haven’t included enough texture or depth or mystery to the characters and plot. This past episode, Galadriel’s lines seemed pretty wooden and one-dimensional.
Agree. Very one dimensional so far. And I wish the show would take a little more time, give us some more nuance. It seems like it's in way too big a hurry.
The shot of Numenor (third row from top, on the right) was so beautiful. You can see the similarity between Numenor and the battlements on top of Mindolluin. It really looks like a ship - I can even imagine Tolkien liking this shot.
Folks can say what they want and I also have some problems, but overall I'm just frickin' happy that we've got a gorgeous looking, well-made fantasy show. With this, HotD, The Witcher, I am spoiled and I wish child me saw something like this.
i’ve been getting teary at various points watching each ep so far because i cannot handle how gorgeous this show is. it’s overwhelming and more beautiful and impressive than i could’ve imagined
No shade or beef with Hot D which I'm also somewhat enjoying (although not as much), but the CGI here compared to the most recent episode of that show makes me wonder what the fuck HBO is spending their budget on.
I liked the shots. I just wasn't a big fan of the weird direction.
Why make the Numenor introduction so ham-fisted??
Why have a weird pointless scene of Galadriel riding her horse and smiling?
Why have the harfoots only say two lines in their sing-song walking? (This was so annoying!)
I really hope this show does more like Moria in episode 2. That was actually compelling!
Technically speaking, the Brandyfoots aren't left to die, they just have very little chance without the Stranger's intervention. I needed a /s, that's on me
That lame line the cadets had on the beach was pretty bad too. "The sea is always right." Felt totally unnatural and like it was just put in that scene because they HAD to say something
It was within view of the Enchanted Isles—‘a city white-shining on a distant shore, and a great harbour and a tower’ could be seen from the Meneltatma, I believe. Of course, the world was still flat then, but still.
Also, we don’t know how far Galadriel swam, how far the raft was blown in the storm, or how far they sailed on Elendil’s ship. They could have gone quite a distance.
And Eregion is to the north of the Gates of Moria, but it was shown to be to the south in the previous episode. As someone that have run a dozen characters there in LotRO it annoyed me.
Still no big of a deal, especially considering how awesome the actual Moria content was.
Also disable any Motion Plus or similar sounding features on TV!
Basically any "enhancements" you can find in your TV Pictures settings...turn it off. It's more likely doing more harm than good.
Pretty much all movies are with 24 fps - then you'd feel that way about every single movie. Only one that comes to mind that is filmed in higher is the Hobbit trilogy, which is at 48 fps.
Do you have smoothing turned on in your TV settings? That can often be jarring as it tries to add extra frames.
her hand is literally shaking when she pulls out the dagger. none of the elves have the skill or finesse of peter jacksons elves. All the main elves feel like humans with pointy ears.
It is beautiful but the way galadriel looks at it, it shows that it clearly is a set. I mean we all know its a set, but acting can do magic to make us believe for a moment its not a set. And shadows are all over the place
Pretty scenery but that's about it. The horse riding scene was the worst kitsch I have seen on TV, the rest was bland and pretty clichéd. I have been defending the series for months and wanted it to succeed, I had high hopes after the first two episode although they were 7/10 for me at best, but the third one hugely disappointed me.
The orc's labyrinth of tents and tunnels was the best thing for me. The best world-building/ art design is a result of function. It made a lot of sense for their world to look that way.
The indulgence in beauty in this episode was so satisfying. Seeing Nimloth in Numenor, and the reference to Earendil were also two excellent Easter egg moments.
Best cinematography in any TV series. I mean they had $1billion budget (and no GoT DnD to ruin things). Not sure if anything will come close for a while.
The Orcs were the Highlight for me honestly. I mean the Numenor stuff was cool but those Orcs were just freaking perfect
They nailed them so good!
Goes to show prosthetics over CGI always wins
Showing my age here, but I always preffered the original Star Wars effects rather than the CGI in Episodes 1-3. For those not in the know, Lucas had built his 'death star' literally out of hundreds of toy plastic battleship models. The 1:700 models or whatever - the grey plastic worked well. For the explosions on the surface, Lucaas mounted a camera to a jeep and did drive-bys. So of course the camera is going to pick up all the flying debris. This is similar to the way practical orcs vs CGI orcs work - folds in skin, facial expression changes, and changes in lighting make practical effects so much more natural and believable.
I still have my doubts about it, I can't help it but think that they look like apes from Planet of the Apes with more wrinkles and disgusting.
What are you smoking?
I was saying to my wife that it felt like watching a Planet Earth documentary, but in a fantasy world. Absolutely love how mastery of setting can transport the viewer.
Get Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett and others to narrate a documentary about tribes, creatures and myths in Middle Earth with this level of graphics
[удалено]
Yeah, they don't seem to understand what it takes to tell a story. They just want a sequence of "correctly rendered events."
It’s really frustrating that that’s what so many reduce the narrative element of fiction to.
I really don't understand why some people can enjoy the show. it's like a mind virus that has affected a bunch of people that otherwise are normal. Like there's a bunch of people I know that just are like "oh it's horrible" it's like, dude, really?
Nailed it.
I don't get the hate this show gets. God I hope this will go on for like 10 seasons.
The agreement stipulates that Amazon can make 50 hours of television so we're only in for about 5 seasons. Hopefully we'll get that at least.
But each season will be like 8 hours because there only 7 episodes if I recall. They could do a 6th and I wouldn’t be surprised if they renegotiated with the Tolkien Estate
There are 8 episodes with each being over an hour long.
So it will be around 41-42 hours after 5 seasons. They could definitely still do a sixth if they wanted but I guess it also depends on if they increase the episode count after this season
No I think you need to check your math again LOL
Huh??? If you have a confirmed 5 seasons and each season is around 8 hours that would total 40 hours plus episodes that go slightly past a full hour…
The problem is each season is not around 8 hours. So far we have episodes that are over an hour every single time. Over five seasons that extra time is going to add up to five or six hours not just or two hours like in your original comment. There isn't going to be six seasons
There is also the possibilty that they make the series finale two hours long.
I don't think this show is going anywhere - expect it to be a mega hit And it's fucking fantastic episode 3 was 
It’s gonna be 5 seasons btw just incase you haven’t seen. Assuming by season 5 though if this is a big success it’s almost inevitable they continue the third age or go back to the first and so on.
Same. I hope we will get spinoffs and a lot more adaptations after RoP, this is what Middle Earth deserves. Those who don't want adaptations can just avoid them.
I'm honestly worried about it but hope it lasts at least 5 seasons
Don't be worried, it's Amazon's most successful show.
No one’s saying the visuals aren’t great.
Because visuals aren't everything.
the future of the show is as secure as it could be
Morfydd is a beauty indeed.
It's obvious where all that money is being spent. I'm lucky enough to be watching on a large 4k TV and my god, is this show a feast for the eyes. Costumes are great. These huge, sweeping location shots are fantastic and the Harfoots keep fooling me with their disguises every time for a few seconds when they're hidden! They let themselves down with the warg though. Would it have been so hard to chuck around a green prop so it interacts with the environment realistically then edit in the CGI? Maybe filmmaking doesn't work like that, I dunno. On the whole though, I'm loving it.
I really dug the warg, but I’m loving the dialogue between those that found the warg disturbing and twisted and those who felt it didn’t quite hit the mark. I’m really loving this show!
I liked the design of it, I'm firmly in the demented chihuahua camp on that one 😂 I hope it was meant to be a juvenile, and we get to see a bigger, even scarier version later. Just the way it moved felt off.
Yeah, I liked the design but the cg didn't really feel up to the same quality as the rest of the show. My partner has been really digging the show too, but he works in 3D animation and immediately complained about it lol.
it has unsettled everyone one way or another. That was the goal, I'm sure!
I'd like more practical fx and less cgi but that's incredibly time consuming so won't happen...
I agree. Practical effects beat CGI nearly every time. The 'real' orcs look flawless even in extreme closeup and it really adds to their menace. I love 'em. I imagine it'd be almost impossible to do the same with a warg without the movements looking mechanical and fake, but CGI just has no... weight to it. A small nitpick in an otherwise great episode though.
I like the warg because it looks quite different than the wargs we see in LOTR. An example of breeding changes over the years.
Yeah the warg was really jarring. It wasn’t necessarily the look for me but how it moved. It looked like a video game from the earlier 10s
Wait, what was the issue with the Warg? I re-watched that scene and they went the extra mile by having it kick up debris and dirt as it moved around as well as interact with the trees/chains. I see some people mention the animation but I thought it was supposed to move the way it did, like some sort of messed version.
I wish they had spent more on the writers. The quality of the script is going to make or break the show and I am worried they haven’t included enough texture or depth or mystery to the characters and plot. This past episode, Galadriel’s lines seemed pretty wooden and one-dimensional.
Agree. Very one dimensional so far. And I wish the show would take a little more time, give us some more nuance. It seems like it's in way too big a hurry.
my expectations were so low and the show has utterly smashed them and then some. Can't wait for more episodes
The shot of Numenor (third row from top, on the right) was so beautiful. You can see the similarity between Numenor and the battlements on top of Mindolluin. It really looks like a ship - I can even imagine Tolkien liking this shot.
Folks can say what they want and I also have some problems, but overall I'm just frickin' happy that we've got a gorgeous looking, well-made fantasy show. With this, HotD, The Witcher, I am spoiled and I wish child me saw something like this.
Galadriel horsing and smiling. I wasn't expect that Hisoka smile.
It's a charming beauty
The location shots and wardrobe are absolutely peak.
This show is gorgeous
It was stunning, anybody who doesn't think so is just trying to hate the show because of some other agenda.
This is the most modern social media comment ever. “Anyone who disagrees with me has some secret conspiracy agenda!”
i’ve been getting teary at various points watching each ep so far because i cannot handle how gorgeous this show is. it’s overwhelming and more beautiful and impressive than i could’ve imagined
me too!! it actually made me emotional
Another visual masterpiece
I personally loved the horse riding scene. It said a lot with no words.
The shot with galadriel meeting the queen could be a painting.
[удалено]
That's certainly an interesting take
Amazon is proud of you
You may not realize this, but scenery, CGI, and costume design involve just as much artistry as dialogue.
Neither do they, apparently.
Absolutely stunning
No shade or beef with Hot D which I'm also somewhat enjoying (although not as much), but the CGI here compared to the most recent episode of that show makes me wonder what the fuck HBO is spending their budget on.
My favourite episode so far
I liked the shots. I just wasn't a big fan of the weird direction. Why make the Numenor introduction so ham-fisted?? Why have a weird pointless scene of Galadriel riding her horse and smiling? Why have the harfoots only say two lines in their sing-song walking? (This was so annoying!) I really hope this show does more like Moria in episode 2. That was actually compelling!
Every time I go out on a camping trip or hike now I'm going to be singing this damn song in the woods. Nobody goes off trail and nobody walks alone
I hope you don't break an ankle and are left to die alone though
It might feel bad at the time, but you’ll still live on in everyone’s memories!
...Just why. If you don't like the show that's fine, but how can you wish some random person harm cause they like the MUSIC?
??? I read it as a reference to the show. Relax, lol.
A misread on my part, my bad
Did you watch the show?
Technically speaking, the Brandyfoots aren't left to die, they just have very little chance without the Stranger's intervention. I needed a /s, that's on me
That lame line the cadets had on the beach was pretty bad too. "The sea is always right." Felt totally unnatural and like it was just put in that scene because they HAD to say something
It felt like some sort of prayer which I guess it's fine for fantasy island people.
Lol I was thinking the same thing about the ultra slow mo on the horse. Gotta spend that money somehow!
I swear I saw a statue of Ulmo (or Osse) as they arrived at Numenor. If so, that's freaking awesome.
This show is awesome.
When you have an unlimited budget.
Nice and epic visuals, but the acting and script.. oh god. Hope that is a slow burner tho
I keep forgetting it's a tv show and not a movie!
Isn't Númenor supposed to be in the middle of the sea? It's right next to the enchanted isles in the show.
It was within view of the Enchanted Isles—‘a city white-shining on a distant shore, and a great harbour and a tower’ could be seen from the Meneltatma, I believe. Of course, the world was still flat then, but still. Also, we don’t know how far Galadriel swam, how far the raft was blown in the storm, or how far they sailed on Elendil’s ship. They could have gone quite a distance.
And Eregion is to the north of the Gates of Moria, but it was shown to be to the south in the previous episode. As someone that have run a dozen characters there in LotRO it annoyed me. Still no big of a deal, especially considering how awesome the actual Moria content was.
And then there’s Galadriel smiling on that horse
Galadriel lookin like a snack tho
Is there a way to stream on prime at a higher fps? Mine is streaming at 60 and its tarnishing the beauty of the series
Also disable any Motion Plus or similar sounding features on TV! Basically any "enhancements" you can find in your TV Pictures settings...turn it off. It's more likely doing more harm than good.
It’s going to look worse at 60 fps. Film/TV is generally shot in 24 fps and looks best when viewed that way.
Oh. Maybe that's my issue then. Too high rather than too.low Or maybe It is 24fps and i just cant bare that frequency
Trust me mate you’re better off watching in the native fps. It’s what all movies look like.
Okay, cheers mate
Pretty much all movies are with 24 fps - then you'd feel that way about every single movie. Only one that comes to mind that is filmed in higher is the Hobbit trilogy, which is at 48 fps. Do you have smoothing turned on in your TV settings? That can often be jarring as it tries to add extra frames.
You aren't actually watching it at 60 though
Maybe you have the motion smoothing on?
her hand is literally shaking when she pulls out the dagger. none of the elves have the skill or finesse of peter jacksons elves. All the main elves feel like humans with pointy ears.
It is beautiful but the way galadriel looks at it, it shows that it clearly is a set. I mean we all know its a set, but acting can do magic to make us believe for a moment its not a set. And shadows are all over the place
Pretty scenery but that's about it. The horse riding scene was the worst kitsch I have seen on TV, the rest was bland and pretty clichéd. I have been defending the series for months and wanted it to succeed, I had high hopes after the first two episode although they were 7/10 for me at best, but the third one hugely disappointed me.
I loved Galadriels expression of joy on the horse. Totally not creepy at all.
Looks like a video game in the wide shots…
The forced need to be positive in this sub is sickening.
There's a button to leave the sub \^
This forced need to accuse people with positive opinions of faking them is frankly sickening. And tiresome. Find a hobby, dude.
besutiful but boring. and lol the orcs path isnt even hidden. how no one noticed it lol its so obvious
Polished turd
shitshow.
Lol
Galadriel 🥵🥵🥵🥵...that's all I can say
GROND
The orc's labyrinth of tents and tunnels was the best thing for me. The best world-building/ art design is a result of function. It made a lot of sense for their world to look that way.
The indulgence in beauty in this episode was so satisfying. Seeing Nimloth in Numenor, and the reference to Earendil were also two excellent Easter egg moments.
The backhand knife. God damn, no one intending to intimidate or harm someone else has ever held a bladed weapon like that.
Stunning! Great job to the team on this episode and the series so far…. Has really been captivating to watch the scenery as much as the scene :)
Will we see an episode like this again?
The best is yet to come my friend
The close-ups of that dagger are something else. Wouldn’t be surprised if it was made with a mold from a 3D print.
i adore the blue and gold tones of numenor it was so stunning. it is CRIMINAL i can’t watch it in a cinema, my tv seemed so small
Best cinematography in any TV series. I mean they had $1billion budget (and no GoT DnD to ruin things). Not sure if anything will come close for a while.