Varjo ja riipus

This new fantasy series from Netflix is undoubtedly a hit, it is an adaptation of the Grishaverse trilogy, so the fans of the books can be satisfied, but I am still a little disappointed. Although many things are fine, the potential was higher. This is certainly not another Game of Thrones and Witcher . I liked the quite interesting and captivating plot, which is at times a bit disorienting, but it has a decent pace and at least the twist in episode 5 is great. The casting is also good, I liked Ben Barnes from The Punisher, the main character reminded me a bit of Katniss from Hunger Games and the trio of supporting characters is great, especially the gunslinger Jesper, who deserves more screen time, but his gun tricks were fantastic. Visually, the series is also attractive, you can see the money and all eight episodes can be easily watched. However, what the audience expects from the fantasy genre did not meet my satisfaction. I will have to be stricter, but the creators should realize that they are making fantasy, not drama, so I expected action and unfortunately I didn't get much of it. Most action scenes are at most three minutes long and are usually well shot, so it is even more disappointing that the creators somehow avoided them. I was still willing to overlook it if they served us at least an epic finale. With ghouls, magicians, the royal army, where is the promised battle after seven hours? It's not happening, they are going for a more intimate approach and considering the potential, it really disappoints me. I am always surprised why in every fantasy film or series, where there are magicians, they manage to have basic spells like fireballs and even healing abilities. There are countless possibilities for spells and I wonder why no one has thought of adding a little more excitement to it. Overall, I do not regret watching it, I was not bored, the characters are well developed and if something epic happens in season 2, I will be more generous. I am a little surprised by the absence of erotic scenes, they are rarely seen nowadays. Young teenagers and book fans can give it a try. 6.5/10. (25.04.2021)

A fantasy harlequin novel with a Soviet touch. I haven't read the source material, so I can't judge how much the creators skipped on better worldbuilding, mythology, descriptions of peoples and magical abilities, or if the author's shallow imagination is to blame, but this part limps considerably. In any case, the presence of the paranormal "Shadow Fold" is an interesting opportunity and an idea that is not badly used to play a number of political games, but they tend to go broad rather than deep to a more complicated level. The author thought she wanted to have a huge world complete with a plethora of minor characters just so that everyone could somehow fall in love, but each in a slightly different way! And the ones that could be essential (e.g. the rulers), on the other hand, are probably not well liked, so let's just skip them altogether. So, without intentionally shrieking and clamoring for the floor, the plot and character motivations are pulling at cupid's arrow stuck in the asses of pretty much everyone present. I didn't care for it at all, and I don't understand why there was an expendable witch/viking storyline (inspired by Jon Snow and Ygritte?), but I can't say that I was any more interested in the other side of the scales than I was in the main character, who has no opinion, no strength, no charisma, and who, unfortunately, isn't even played by a very good actress. If anyone interested and entertained me, it was the creeping trio of outlaw thieves whose adventures, unlike the others, had considerable variety and spark. On the other side of the roller coaster, the sets and costumes weren't bad, and though they skimped quite a bit on the special effects, there are well-executed moments to be found. I have no problem recommending Shadow and Bone to a teenager hooked on series like Divergent, but other audiences will give this one a wide berth. Or at least they should. (24.04.2021)

Leigh Bardugo's books are great young adult reading that won't offend the readers of the genre, and the series is the same. I would even say that no fantasy has grabbed my attention so easily since The Witcher. Perfect casting of each character, rich design, the great environment of fantasy-pseudo-tsarist Russia, an interestingly intertwining story, tension, action, emotions and exaggeration always at the right moment... And at the end, the open gate leading to the second season, which I hope will be made. (26.04.2021)