At 11 a.m. Moscow time on Netflix finally released the first season of The Witcher. Although the first viewers of the series are mostly likedThe critics weren't so supportive of the show. At the time of this writing, the show's user rating on Rotten Tomatoes is 88%, while the critics' verdict is only 63%.
Of course, less than 8 hours have passed since the release and ordinary users have not yet physically had the opportunity to watch the season (according to at least, without rewinding and fast playback), but the critics also have complaints for the most part not to ending. Gathered opinions of authoritative publications about the new adaptation of Sapkowski's books. Collected their opinions.
Many criticize for the undisclosed world and orientation to those who are familiar with the universe
“If you don't understand something, it’s the fault of the show itself. Like Game of Thrones, The Witcher tries to target two audiences at once: the general public and the fans of the universe who already know its rules. The second group is obviously more critical, and the creators tried to please her more, adding a bunch of storylines - and not really talking about the world. This experience is closer to a video game, when, due to constant events and deaths, you are not sure of your role in what is happening. Unfortunately, this is not enough to make the series interesting "-
The Independent“This is the first time I've seen a show that would benefit from the commercial breaks. This fantasy would be better off going at a bouncy pace, offering sharp plot twists every 12 minutes. Instead, we get some kind of endless monotonous movie. At the end of the first episode, someone tells Ciri that Geralt is her destiny. In the fifth episode, Ciri is again told that Geralt is her fate. It is not hard to imagine that they will meet in the finale, but my destiny is never to return to this festival of boredom. " Entertainment Weekly
“As a viewer who hasn't read the books, the world of the series seemed to me both too vast and rather narrowly represented at the same time. Unlike Game of Thrones, at least at first, there are no special metaphors and allegories here, and the story is reduced to the plot, and not hidden meanings. This is more of a feature than a disadvantage, but because of this, the series runs the risk of being liked only by those who are already familiar with the world of The Witcher. " Variety
However, not all critics were so cruel
“Geralt is both a hero and an antihero. Likewise, The Witcher is neither epic nor dark fantasy at the same time - at least in the version we saw in, say, Game of Thrones. It's a unique blend of epic elements with unexpected surprises and outbursts of violence. If you are looking for unusual interesting fantasy and have nothing against gore, guts and monsters - this is what you need. "The Witcher" will find something to surprise and delight "- Forbes
“The creators of The Witcher know when not to overdo it with seriousness. For every bloody battle, terrible monster and mortal threat, there is a joke, a bard's song, or, you know, Geralt in a tub. And, even better, the series managed to find the perfect balance, in which it does not lose its epic character, but it looks cheerful and interesting. This, however, cannot be said about the first series, through which you still need to break through "- io9
Have you already started watching? If so, do you agree with the opinions of the critics? Share your opinion in the comments!