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‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ Review: A Stunning Adventure in Perilous Middle-earth
It has been eight years since the final movie in The Hobbit trilogy was released in theaters. Though the series came with mixed reactions, it was still an adventurous look back at the history before Frodo and his Fellowship for lovers of the world of Middle-earth and The Lord of the Rings. When Amazon Studios announced that they would be creating a series based on the Second Age history of Middle-earth, fans were once again reinvigorated to look into the world of J.R.R. Tolkien.
Prime Video | The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
When it comes to high fantasy creators, Tolkien is easily one of the pioneers of the genre. Taking inspiration from folklore and using his skills as a linguist, Tolkien created a rich world that inspired much of contemporary high fantasy. Although we primarily know the goings-on of the Third Age, when Frodo and his friends went on their quest to destroy the One Ring, Tolkien mapped out much of the history of Middle-earth and separated them into different ages. The Rings of Power takes place during the Second Age, predominantly known for being the time when the titular rings of power were created, including the One Ring.
Developed by J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, The Rings of Power dives into a familiar landscape but gives us an entirely new cast of characters to meet. There are some recognizable names, thanks to the longevity of elves, but we’re taken to new locations, and see a world that is thousands of years in the past. The cultures of dwarves, men, and elves are different, and even the hobbits we have known and loved have not settled in the Shire. Among the familiar, we have Galadriel and Elrond, played in this series by Morfydd Clark and Robert Aramayo, respectively. By the time of the Fellowship, these two are established pillars of the elven community, but in The Rings of Power, they are still in their youth. Galadriel is a warrior, intent on finding the source of evil that she believes is still lying in wait in Middle-earth, while Elrond acts as a politician, aiding the High King Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker).
