TV REVIEW: THE LORD OF THE RINGS - THE RINGS OF POWER

3.5/5

Game Of Rings.

8 Episodes. Starring: Morfydd Clark, Sara Zwangobani  Dylan Smith, Markella Kavenagh, Megan Richards, Robert Aramayo, Benjamin Walker, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Nazanin Boniadi, Tyroe Muhafidin, Charles Edwards, Daniel Weyman, Owain Arthur, Charlie Vickers, Sophie Nomvete, Lloyd Owen, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Trystan Gravalle, Maxim Baldry, Ema Horvath, Joseph Mawle, Leon Wadham & Lenny Henry. Executive Producer: Patrick McKay. 

The legend of the rings is here. Powered by Amazon in its Prime like the rainforest. A visual feast of a spectacle and stunning small series feat. This belongs on a screen even bigger than the Eye of Sauron, this fall season. The sense of Amazon's scale truly amazes. And in this small screen pressurized world of racing to see who watches what first (you wouldn't believe how many reviews I've had to write this week), trolling with the social media punches, be prepared for people to name and shame you if you don't literally drive your car to a screen size enough to watch this. Seriously though. Your laptop will just about do, but this needs a cinematic run like the original 'Lord Of The Rings' trilogy right now. Just don't watch it on your phone. 

Now, I'm not joining in with those following the nose of sneering hate. Especially those discriminating certain cast members. Everyone has a place here. Racism has none. Not in this shire. Nor in a galaxy far, far away, with our only hope like 'Obi-Wan'. But to those saying that this adventure journeys a little into the land of ho-hum, all I'll say is this. 'The Lord Of The Rings: Rings Of Power' is the perfect show to wind down with after a day's work, getting dinner ready and meal prepping for the following week. There's a lot of narrative and taking here to digest. Hey, "this really is the era of peak TV", like Wong says on 'She-Hulk', there's a lot to make time for. So, sue me, 'Attorney At Law'. Some bingeable seasons were just designed to be devoured whilst getting stuff done. We can't be a slave to every show. Just so someone can spoil it right before we rushed to the cliff, only to be left hanging on to disappointment. 

Put down your magazine, though, because these 'Rings' have real power. And the estate of J.R.R. Tolkien behind it, following Nicholas Hoult playing the late, great without fault in a beautiful biopic. Even if legendary director Peter Jackson wasn't consulted. He was busy making an epic almost as long as his trilogy, getting back with The Beatles for Disney +. All as the war of this show goes to battle with the armies of HBO's 'House Of The Dragon' for the throne. All without Smaug. But breathing fire into this new series and 'Lord' lore, classic characters are teased before they step into the light. The set-up just takes a little longer than the average Frodo and Sam stroll. One doesn't simply walk into remaking Mordor. But we can't wait for second breakfast. 

Ring the changes, because Patrick McKay is crafting something prolific here. Like he was almost allowed with a Chris Pine and Hemsworth Star father Trek sequel, we'd still boldly love to go to. It's just going to take a little longer to forge. Straight out of the frying pan and into the fire, there are no eagles to carry us (almost) home here. But when it opens up like the paper crane of an expanding boat in all the ingenuity of its blooming beauty. You know it's going to sail, as well as stay afloat, too. Middle earth encircles more than shires and giants, though with a cast in their own class. Morfydd Clark, Sara Zwangobani Dylan Smith, Markella Kavenagh, Megan Richards, Robert Aramayo, Benjamin Walker, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Nazanin Boniadi, Tyroe Muhafidin, Charles Edwards, Daniel Weyman, Owain Arthur, Charlie Vickers, Sophie Nomvete, Lloyd Owen, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Trystan Gravalle, Maxim Baldry, Ema Horvath, Joseph Mawle, Leon Wadham and Lenny Henry all deserve their names in beacons. 

Yet, Clark is the hero we all need right now. Aramayo and Arthur's find friendship formed from a broken bond, the soul of the show. Kavenagh, the future. Nomvete, the heart. Tyroe Muhafidin delivers the best piece of acting all season when he thinks he's lost it all. Córdova and Vickers vie for the new leading man stakes, with charm and courage like arrows and swords for days. Not to mention, sensational set-pieces. But it's David Weyman's wayward stranger, falling from the sky, who is the most compelling. And bravo to comedian Lenny Henry, for the best career left turn since he provided backing vocals to Kate Bush's 'Red Shoes' on 'Why Should I Love You'...with Prince. Stranger things indeed. The budding star power here is enough to keep you in matrimony with more rings. The king may not have returned yet, but for the fellowship, before the second tower, this shall pass. The road leads ever on. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Game Of Thrones: House Of The Dragon', 'The Lord Of The Rings', 'The Hobbit'.