Shannara coming to television

[DiapDealer]

Thought it should have been called Shannara 90210. The sculpted eyebrows and the club-scenes at Arbolon were to die for.

[Dulin's Books]

hahahaha

[booklover6]

I forgot. My son watched it last night, he loved it. Brian, thanks for the link, I've got it so now I can watch it any time!

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

For folks (like me) who haven't seen episode 1 (technically 1 & 2?) yet, it's free (in the US) at...

Google Play
Vudu
Amazon
iTunes

It can also be streamed directly from MTV's site...
http://www.mtv.com/full-episodes/76v...n-1-ep-101-102

[Conan46]

I enjoyed it. From comments on the web, people who did not read the books seemed to like it more than die hard Shannara book fans as liberties were taken with the story. I thought some of the acting was a bit weak, the young actors chosen more for looks than acting abilities. The post-apocalyptic landscape thing was overdone. But the special effects, details, scenery, and pace of the story were quite good. I'm looking forward to the coming episodes.

[Teknikal]

I wasn't actually sure after watching the first episode I sort of felt it was half LOTR half twilight but the story, setting, effects seems good enough and I did start to enjoy it.

Now I've seen the four episodes I think it's likeable enough but could probably have been better actor wise but I'll probably keep watching myself I'm even thinking about giving the books a go.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by Conan46

I enjoyed it. From comments on the web, people who did not read the books seemed to like it more than die hard Shannara book fans as liberties were taken with the story.

The liberties with the source are fine (says this die-hard book fan). It's the terrible dialogue that I object most to (and the inability to decide whether they want it to be gritty or metro).

[Rich_D]

I've only watched the 2-hour premiere. Elfstones is one of my favorite books, but the author has said multiple times that this is an adaptation, not a direct telling so I was prepared for the different story line. I wasn't too impressed with the first hour, but it made me understand why everyone else in the four lands hates elves. After that ball scene in Arborlon, I hate them too. The 2nd hour was better and I'll probably watch the rest of the series, although most serials begin to annoy me and I lose interest pretty quickly...

[ottdmk]

I really liked it. The departures weren't terrible and Manu Bennett was fantastic as usual. They're positioning both Amberle & Eritrea to be stronger characters then in the actual book, which is good. They've made Wil considerably less mature, but the character's sense of humour is promising.

I'm looking forward to the next episode. I have strong hopes that the show will get stronger as it goes.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by batpuppy

I watched the first 4 episodes at MTV. Was good enough that I keep watching it for the rest of this season. It be interesting to see how it develops.

Are there four episodes already?

I've seen that episode 1 has an 8.3 score at IMDB, so it may be worth watching. If I can ever watch it in the Netherlands before 2025, that is.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by Conan46

I enjoyed it. From comments on the web, people who did not read the books seemed to like it more than die hard Shannara book fans as liberties were taken with the story.

I think this is always the case. The die-hard fans dislike any and all deviations. I either do or don't mind deviations, depending on how a movie or show is presented.

"This is a movie version of the book" -> You better stay close to the book or I'll bite your head off
"This movie is based on book..." -> OK, now I'm expecting a story that will probably take the most recognizable elements from the book and rewrite the story around them. I'll watch it on it's own merits.

I thought some of the acting was a bit weak, the young actors chosen more for looks than acting abilities.

Nothing new here... also, the protagonists in Elfstones are 16-17 or so. It's a bit hard to have a 16 year old girl played by a 30 year old woman.

The post-apocalyptic landscape thing was overdone.

Hm... in the entire series, Brooks is only hinting about the fact that Shannara might be a post-apocalyptic world that grew into some sort of middle ages with magic. Only after writing the Word and Void and the connecting series we know for sure.

Originally Posted by ottdmk

I really liked it. The departures weren't terrible and Manu Bennett was fantastic as usual. They're positioning both Amberle & Eritrea to be stronger characters then in the actual book, which is good. They've made Wil considerably less mature, but the character's sense of humour is promising.

Eretria is even more present/stronger than in the book?

I found her a very annoying character with her cocky demeanor and 'You would be dead already if I weren't here to babysit you'-attitude to Wil Ohmsford. (It didn't help that Wil Ohmsford had to have his ass saved a few times by her...)

[ottdmk]

It's been a while since I read Elfstones, but I remember Eretria being all about Wil. Yes, a competent, skilled individual... but her presence in the story is pretty much because she instantly falls for Wil Ohmsford.

This version appears to have her own agenda, which is an improvement.

[batpuppy]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

Are there four episodes already?

I've seen that episode 1 has an 8.3 score at IMDB, so it may be worth watching. If I can ever watch it in the Netherlands before 2025, that is.

They counted the premiere as episode 1 and 2 and MTV.com had episode 3 and 4 up for online watching.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by batpuppy

They counted the premiere as episode 1 and 2 and MTV.com had episode 3 and 4 up for online watching.

Had? So now they're not online anymore?

Not that it matters. I doubt I can view American MTV from the Netherlands without resorting to paid VPN's and stuff, and I don't have such subscriptions.

[batpuppy]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

Had? So now they're not online anymore?

Not that it matters. I doubt I can view American MTV from the Netherlands without resorting to paid VPN's and stuff, and I don't have such subscriptions.

A typo, they are still online but It maybe US only? They wanted me to log in by way of my cable provider but Comcast apparently is not set up for that. So I just created an email based account with MTV.com and that allowed me to watch the shows. I not sure if they checked my IP address or not.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

Hm... in the entire series, Brooks is only hinting about the fact that Shannara might be a post-apocalyptic world that grew into some sort of middle ages with magic. Only after writing the Word and Void and the connecting series we know for sure.

You've mentioned this before, and you were just as wrong then.
It has been perfectly clear from Sword of Shannara on that the setting was our world in the far distant future. It might not have been a huge part of the overall plot, but it was never in doubt. Fans have been trying to match up geographic features of The Four Lands with our own real geography since the early '80's.