Set in a high fantasy world where magic exists, but only some can access it, a woman named Moiraine crosses paths with five young men and women. This sparks a dangerous, world-spanning journ... Read allSet in a high fantasy world where magic exists, but only some can access it, a woman named Moiraine crosses paths with five young men and women. This sparks a dangerous, world-spanning journey. Based on the book series by Robert Jordan.Set in a high fantasy world where magic exists, but only some can access it, a woman named Moiraine crosses paths with five young men and women. This sparks a dangerous, world-spanning journey. Based on the book series by Robert Jordan.
- Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
- 2 wins & 7 nominations total
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Summary
Reviewers say 'The Wheel of Time' adaptation garners mixed reactions. Praise is directed towards world-building, cinematography, and Rosamund Pike's performance as Moiraine. Fans appreciate the effort to adapt Robert Jordan's expansive fantasy world. However, criticisms include deviations from the source material, rushed pacing, and altered character arcs. Some express disappointment with adaptation fidelity and the introduction of modern themes. Despite these issues, many remain optimistic about future seasons, hoping for improvements and closer alignment with the books.
Featured reviews
I would be lying if I said there are no moments in The Wheel of Time that I didn't enjoy. A few brief moments of action and some characters standout over others. Some of the sets look great and others have CGI from 2003.
As in many other reviews I wrote for individual episodes the biggest culprit affecting WOT is the writing. Conversations are rarely engaging, and most characters are poorly developed, providing nobody to emotionally attach to. The second problem for me is the acting and casting. Rosamund Pike as Moiraine, Zoe Robins as Nynaeve, Daniel Henney as Lan and Kate Fleetwood as Liandrin are all great in their roles. Everyone else including Rand are boring beyond belief. Rand and Egwene have no chemistry and it's hard to watch one of the worst love triangle plot threads unfold with Perrin. Perrin has potential as a character, but his expression is the same throughout the whole season, the same goes for boring Rand. Watching Rand during the finale made me want to poor bleach on my eyes. Matt, what happened to Matt...who knows?
For the budget the WOT's marketing bragged about little talent is displayed from the writers and a majority of the actors. Some of the CGI is distractingly awful for a big budget show. Another problem is the shows pacing. Episodes can drag on one after the other with the last thirty minutes of episode four being the only highlight. The direction of the story is all over the place and I was bored throughout most of the season.
If you're desperate to watch something fantasy related don't let anyone's opinion prevent you from giving WOT a try. Some people do seem to be enjoying it. For me, I loathed WOT for the majority of the show's duration. Potential is lurking on the horizon for WOT. Maybe use some of that Amazon money to hire better writers and directors?
As in many other reviews I wrote for individual episodes the biggest culprit affecting WOT is the writing. Conversations are rarely engaging, and most characters are poorly developed, providing nobody to emotionally attach to. The second problem for me is the acting and casting. Rosamund Pike as Moiraine, Zoe Robins as Nynaeve, Daniel Henney as Lan and Kate Fleetwood as Liandrin are all great in their roles. Everyone else including Rand are boring beyond belief. Rand and Egwene have no chemistry and it's hard to watch one of the worst love triangle plot threads unfold with Perrin. Perrin has potential as a character, but his expression is the same throughout the whole season, the same goes for boring Rand. Watching Rand during the finale made me want to poor bleach on my eyes. Matt, what happened to Matt...who knows?
For the budget the WOT's marketing bragged about little talent is displayed from the writers and a majority of the actors. Some of the CGI is distractingly awful for a big budget show. Another problem is the shows pacing. Episodes can drag on one after the other with the last thirty minutes of episode four being the only highlight. The direction of the story is all over the place and I was bored throughout most of the season.
If you're desperate to watch something fantasy related don't let anyone's opinion prevent you from giving WOT a try. Some people do seem to be enjoying it. For me, I loathed WOT for the majority of the show's duration. Potential is lurking on the horizon for WOT. Maybe use some of that Amazon money to hire better writers and directors?
I never read the books for The Wheels of Time so I had no idea what to expect but I have to say that I've truly enjoyed it so far. This show hooked me from the first episode and held my attention to the last. I binged the first two seasons in less than a week and was still hoping for more episodes when I was done so I'm glad season 3 is finally here. It seems like some of the people who read the books didn't like it as much but as long as you try not to compare it to the book and just enjoy it for what it is...and that's an entertaining fantasy series. The series should be judged on its own and not compared to the book. I'm not saying it's the best show I've ever seen but it's definitely worth watching. The world building and cast are the best things about the show and I can't wait for more.
The Wheel of Time is one of those rare shows where every season gets better and better. It's a show where you can't be playing on your phone, cooking dinner or doing something else, it requires your undivided attention. It's a show that never gets stale. I can't remember ever being bored, even for one episode. I loved every second of every episode and I think you will to if you give it a chance. The entire cast has been fantastic. With season 3 coming out I just rewatched the first two seasons from beginning to end. I saw that it's already been renewed for a fourth season and I'm sure it'll be just as good as the first three.
At the beginning I was not so sure, but as it has gone longer it has proven to be a very good show. While I have not read the books yet, I know many who both love and hate it and from both I have gathered it is a good enough adaption. If you have not read the books, you will enjoy it. If you have read the books you might take issue with some choices, but they also do a good job getting the broad strokes across in a very limited number of episodes. Some people are excessively negative about any adapted show, and that happens here as well. I say give it a shot if you enjoy high fantasy or fantasy at all.
To start with, I have read the series of books and although they were not perfect, they were highly enjoyable and epic in their scale.
Now to the series.
A show or movies based on a book or series of books is generally bound to infuriate as the finished product cannot compare to the imagination of the reader, and there are not many examples of where this has been overcome.
So far I have been watching a show that has the main characters of the books relegated to supporting characters with little to no dialogue in some episodes.
There were over 2000 named characters in the book and they still felt the need to create new characters for the show that serve no real purpose.
The acting is fairly bad. With the amount of money spent on the cinematography, you would think they would have hired better actors.
I could see how someone who hasn't read the books would be confused as to what is going on, as the explanations as to what is going on are vague, which makes me wonder who this show was made for.
If it was to introduce people to the world that Robert Jordan created then they failed.
If it was for fans of the books, then they have again failed, as they have been changing things that didn't need to be changed and generally angering fans.
If you are going to adapt a series of books, then do so correctly, otherwise write your own original story and do what you want with it.
My positive takeaway from The Wheel of Time is that the cinematography is excellent, and unfortunately that is the only thing I find worthwhile.
Maybe it will get better, but I highly doubt it.
If you enjoy reading, I would recommend giving the series of books a glance, as this show is a pale reflection of the story Jordan wrote.
Now to the series.
A show or movies based on a book or series of books is generally bound to infuriate as the finished product cannot compare to the imagination of the reader, and there are not many examples of where this has been overcome.
So far I have been watching a show that has the main characters of the books relegated to supporting characters with little to no dialogue in some episodes.
There were over 2000 named characters in the book and they still felt the need to create new characters for the show that serve no real purpose.
The acting is fairly bad. With the amount of money spent on the cinematography, you would think they would have hired better actors.
I could see how someone who hasn't read the books would be confused as to what is going on, as the explanations as to what is going on are vague, which makes me wonder who this show was made for.
If it was to introduce people to the world that Robert Jordan created then they failed.
If it was for fans of the books, then they have again failed, as they have been changing things that didn't need to be changed and generally angering fans.
If you are going to adapt a series of books, then do so correctly, otherwise write your own original story and do what you want with it.
My positive takeaway from The Wheel of Time is that the cinematography is excellent, and unfortunately that is the only thing I find worthwhile.
Maybe it will get better, but I highly doubt it.
If you enjoy reading, I would recommend giving the series of books a glance, as this show is a pale reflection of the story Jordan wrote.
Did you know
- TriviaRobert Jordan's "The Wheel of Time" book series has 2,782 named characters.
- Crazy creditsThe opening titles are of a string breaking into different strands that crisscross and merge through looms to form a tapestry of the Aes Sedai group.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Jeremy Vine: Episode #4.235 (2021)
Behind the Scenes of "The Wheel of Time"
Behind the Scenes of "The Wheel of Time"
We stepped inside the world of "The Wheel of Time" Season 2 with a sneak peek at sets, costumes, and more.
- How many seasons does The Wheel of Time have?Powered by Alexa
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