I usually don't review an item before the product is released, but there
has been so much discussion about this series, I figured I'd try to
approach it a bit differently. I expect the blu ray discs will be fine,
but if they aren't, I will update this review.The first thing I noticed is that the casting was just about perfect. The actors were all well chosen for their roles. No Hollywood cuties here. To theirs and the directors' credit, there was no "over-acting". Everyone stayed true to character. Some characters gave you an instant impression of where they were on the spectrum of good and bad, while others had a bit more subtle...just as they were in the book. The sets were superb as were the locations. Each region had its own feel and nothing was laid on too heavily. You got the feeling you were looking at a "real" place.
To be fair, the series doesn't cover everything in the book. If it did, it would have to have 50 episodes, rather than 10. But it does keep the storyline intact and understandable. Besides, we don't absolutely need to know all the things they wore and ate, or just how frequently they had sex. Yes, there is sex in the series. I didn't feel it was gratuitous. some of it was absolutely necessary for the plot and the rest gave an insight into the mores and habits of the different peoples. Were there differences between the book and series? There were a few, but when they occurred, it was to make the series more understandable without some of the details contained in the book.
There are two questions I'll try to address. If you haven't read the book, will you enjoy the series? Yes, if you lake a well told story that is fantasy, but not the kinds that kids like. Will you like the book if you see the series first? Absolutely. If you like stories where everyone lives happily ever after and the good guys always win, this isn't for you. But if you like a well told, well acted story with plenty of twists and turns to keep you coming back for more, this is it!
