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meldelen · 4 years

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Dragons of Autumn Twilight - A review (that will mostly get me blocked by the fandom)

*stares into the distance* I am glad it exists.

How mean some people are with criticism, really. I’ve been reading fantastic literature since I was a child, and for the record I started with The Lord of the Rings. That's why I have very little patience and empathy with those who throw garbage to the Dragonlance saga as something cheap and unworthy, comparing it to Tolkien's work. Well, I am a Tolkien fan as much as I am a Dragonlance fan. Whatever some may claim, they are not bad books. It's not a bad saga at all, even if it came out of a Dungeons & Dragons game. The world is well built, the characters are diverse and well defined, the story is entertaining and easy to follow, and if you stay loyal for at least 6 books - the main core, which is the Chronicles and Legends - you get to have a lot, much love for this story.

And now we are going into this adaptation to animation cinema. I saw it yesterday in fear and terror due to the bad reviews I had read. Truth is, it hasn’t been as bad as I expected.

Yes, compressing Dragons of Autumn Twilight - the first book of the Chronicles - in an hour and a half film is risky and the result is that the pace is overwhelming and many events and details have been removed, does this surprise anyone?

Yes, combining 2D and 3D animation is a terrible idea, it looks awful.

Yes, the animation of the characters - not the design itself - is quite awkward and limited.

Well, maybe Goldmoon shouldn’t look THAT white, after all. She’s canonically a WOC, even if her hair is golden and silver. She should look like Riverwind, at least for the skin tone.

BUT - the soundtrack is beautiful and enough immersive, the voice acting is more than correct - I actually enjoyed Kiefer Sutherland as Raistlin -; the characters are well defined; the movie is fast-paced and entertaining, even too brief. In fact, I kinda regret that at least the second and third parts of the trilogy were never adapted, because we were left in a cliffhanger at the end. Unfortunately, with the reception it had, it was expected they tried no more.

The main problem has been a lack of budget. This story needs a serious and deep investment; I would say a generous series in the style of Game of Thrones on HBO or The Witcher on Netflix ... because one film, or several, are not enough to adapt well the complexity of the world of Krynn and this story. As long as this doesn’t happen, I am glad that this film exists. I would take it as a modest work of animation for fans and to introduce children to the world of Dragonlance. Why not? I wish these beloved books were better known and loved, because they are totally worth it. Meanwhile, this movie would serve as an introduction. Of course, everyone must read the books.

In short, I give it a 6 out of 10. It’s decent enough, it’s entertaining, it shows some care. And in the name of Raistlin, my favorite character, who’s mostly well portrayed - when I was expecting a catastrophe - I absolve this cringy little treasure of all its sins.

Did I say you should read the books? You cannot imagine how far they will take you.

Average reaction of the fandom to this movie.

Moments that make it worthwhile:

- Raistlin. His voice, his crooked smile, that horrible cough - I spit my coffee the first time I heard it I swear to God - and it’s hilarious he doesn't bother to cover his mouth. - A goblin spits out a very thick... spittle... on Tanis' forehead. - Caramon staring at Tika's breasts and butt, swaying them around the inn. - Flint, sounding suspiciously like Gimli from The Lord of the Rings, dressed as a woman, with huge fake boobs, saying, "I want to make one thing clear. This never happened." - Tasslehoff yelling: "Where are the gods when we need them!" and Fizban replying, "Here, let me." Only fans will understand why this is so funny. - Caramon lifting Tasslehoff up to his face level. I didn't know I needed this. - Raistlin and Sturm being mean to each other. This cannot be more canon. - Laurana kissing Elistan on the mouth and dancing with him. WTF?! ??!?! - Raistlin casts a friendship spell on Bupu. Bupu hugs his waist. Caramon comments, "It looks like you overdid a little." - Tanis sighing: "I wish Kitiara has survived all of this, wherever she is". Change to the scene with Kitiara turned into a dragon highlord, completely invested in the Evil’s plan and smirking wickedly. - A draconian licks longly and slowly Laurana's face. - Raistlin throwing hints about the promiscuity of his stepsister and about Laurana flirting with Elistan for the sole purpose of tormenting Tanis. - Did I already say that Raistlin is great? - The human form Khisanth chooses to speak to Lord Verminaard is that of a practically naked succubus. - Also, although this is what Dragonlance fans are used to, the same happens to Takhisis. - AND Raistlin.

#dragonlance #movies #dragons of autumn twilight #reviews #dragonlance animated movie #my reviews #don't block me please i just had a lil' fun

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aion-rsa · 5 years

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10 Fantasy Book Series That Could Rival Game of Thrones on TV

http://bit.ly/2IxOzNQ

Game of Thrones might be our favorite fantasy show ever, but here are the 10 best fantasy series that could possibly be even better...

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The Lists Marc Buxton

Game of Thrones

Apr 16, 2019

Stephen King

The Dark Tower

Clive Barker

The Lord Of The Rings

With the end of the Game of Thrones TV series in sight, it's time to start speculating on which fantasy book series might pick up the TV adaptation mantle once Game of Thrones is gone.

Game of Thrones is one of the greatest fantasy epics ever written and it makes for the perfect episodic television experience, but it's far from the only fantasy book series that deserves to be on TV. There are plenty of other epic fantasies that would make killer television shows, and they would grip fans just as much as Martin's tale of dragons, White Walkers, knights, magic, and betrayal has.

Hollywood is already taking notice, with everything from The Kingkiller Chronicle to The Dark Tower getting movie and TV adaptations. So come, join us, as we sing of other tales that are worthy of television consideration...

Dragonlance

Authors: Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

Essential Reading: Dragons of Autumn Twilight, Dragons of Winter Night, Dragons of Spring Dawning, Time of the Twins, and more!

From the world of Dungeons and Dragons comes the world of Krynn. A world rich in history and on-the-nose archetypes that have been involved in the bestselling series for decades. Originally conceived by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, the Dragonlance saga has had countless spin-offs as many other writers have carved out there piece of Krynn history.

The series' weakness is the familiarity of the character types: you have the outcast Half-Elf, the muscle bound but simple warrior, the noble knight, the rapscallion thief, the gruff dwarf, and the mysterious mage, but it’s what Weis and Hickman do for these familiar character types that have made generations of fans come back to the world of Dragonlance again and again despite the predictable nature of the characters.

read more: Game of Thrones Season 8 Premiere Review

There is a gentleness to Dragonlance that could scratch an itch not satisfied by the always ultra violent and dark Game of Thrones. Fans would delight on going on old-fashioned dungeon crawls with the Heroes of the Last Home, but it’s not all rolling D20s in Dragonlance.

From the complex sibling relationship of the sickly and power hungry mage Raistlin Majere and his brother, the oafish but loyal Cameron, to the love trial between heroic Tanis Half-Elven, the noble Elven woman Laurana and the recently turned to the dark side Kitiara (who also happens to be Raistlin and Cameron’s half sister). There is the Vader-like Lord Soth to provide some villainy, Tasselhoof Burrfoot the Kender thief to provide the comic relief, and dragons.

But the best part? Tons and tons of dragons...all different colors of the rainbow, good dragons and bad, all fighting for control of the skies of Krynn. Fans waiting for Khaleesi’s dragons to finally grow will be able to get their dragon fix with the heroes of Dragonlance, a sometimes soft but always epic fantasy that is just waiting for some daring cable channel to shell out the cash to bring this beloved series to life.

Conceivably, the show would focus on the core group of heroes, but like Game of Thrones, Dragonlance could also explore the world of Krynn’s past, present, and future, and cover some of the better work from all the authors that have visited Krynn during the series’ long run.

9. Earthsea

Author: Ursula K. Le Guin

Essential Reading: "The Word of Unbinding" (short story), A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore, Tehanu, Tales from Earthsea, and The Other Wind

Earthsea is one of the most beloved worlds in fantasy. Originally conceived in 1964, Earthsea amassed a vast following of fans who love the diverse world of magic as envisioned by the great Ursula K. Le Guin.

No doubt, an Earthsea series would be expensive as most of the story takes place in the water, on ships, or on the archipelagos of the Earthsea realm. The story deals with good wizards who use their magic to restore balance to the world, and dark wizards that use their necromancy to take from the well-balanced environment.

Le Guin has been critical of fantasy, particularly its focus on primarily Caucasian characters that limit the genre's potential. The world-building of Le Guin’s series redefined the genre in the mid '60s, showing readers that a good fantasy series is possible without cribbing from Tolkien.

read more: Ursula Le Guin's The Telling to Get Big-Screen Adaptation

The diverse cast and environmental and social themes would fuel any TV show for years. Le Guin borrowed liberally from Taoist philosophy and combined these old schools of thought with allusions to Dante’s Inferno and Greek myth to create a world like no other...a world that needs to come to life now that technology and special effects have evolved to match Le Guin’s grand vision.

The Syfy channel gave Earthsea a whirl in 2005 with a two-part, three hour mini-series. The network felt it would be a good idea to cast almost every role with Caucasians and fundamentally change the original structure of Le Guin’s story. It didn’t go well, and it managed to anger loyal fans and Le Guin herself.

It's time for a network that fully understands Earthsea's brand of thoughtful fantasy to bring the series to life. Though the film rights for this wondrous work have been optioned, we've yet to get any real, recent progress on bringing this world to the screen in some way.

read more: Game of Thrones Season 8 Predictions and Theories

The First Law

Author: Joe Abercrombie

Essential Reading: The Blade Itself, Before They Are Hanged, Last Argument of Kings

Joe Abercrombie has become one of the most original voices in fantasy over the last decade. He deals in gritty realism and pragmatic characters but somehow remains fully embedded in a functional fantasy setting that is as complete and whole as any Martin, Rothfuss, or Tolkien epic.

There are not many fantastic creatures in the pages of these books. Instead, Abercrombie’s series centers on a world at war in three separate theatres of combat. It’s like the sword and sandals version of Band of Brothers, featuring a diverse band of characters who must survive and find a way to win an all consuming war.

read more: Game of Thrones Season 8 - Ranking the Reunions

The narrative stretches from the kings and generals of the war to the lowly foot soldiers, each character’s tale fraught with drama and meaning. Magic is well represented in the novels, but Abercrombie’s take on wizardry as just another weapon of war entrenches the more fantastical elements of the world in the same grim realism as the muck-encrusted soldiers that fight on the same battlefields.

Let’s face it, many fans come to epic fantasy to see the battles. The romance, politics, intrigues, and high concepts are nice, but who doesn’t like a good prolonged fantasy clash like Helm’s Deep, the battle of Pelennor Fields, or the Battle of the Black Water? The war in The First Law lasts for the entirety of the series. So pick a side, because if this one of its kind drama of First Country ever comes to television, fans will line up to join the front lines.

Weaveworld

Author: Clive Barker

Essential reading: Weaveworld

Most people think of Clive Barker as the master of horror that brought us Pinhead and his flesh rending hooks and chains. But Barker is also a folklorist and mythic storyteller of the highest order and some of his fantasy work includes some of the most original creations the genre has been gifted in over a century.

Barker’s most compelling fantasy work is Weaveworld, the tale of a world that exists inside an intricately woven carpet. Every thread of the Weaveworld contains the possibilities of adventure.

read more: Will Daenerys Targaryen Become Her Father?

The story centers on a world called the Fugue, a place created by the magical Seerkind to hide from humanity over centuries of persecution. The story of Weaveworld is limitless, and a TV show can go way beyond the confines of the novel. The Seerkind are a fascinating race with a long fictional history that would take an entire television series to explore.

The idea of a fantasy world, particularly one conceived by the limitless imagination of Clive Barker, existing in the intricate weave of a rug is such an awesome concept that fans would eat it up, and the amorphous nature of the Seerkind would make them a fascinating race to explore week after week.

There have been rumors of a Weaveworld mini-series for years, but a finite series couldn't do Barker’s vision justice. Game of Thrones proves that fantasy for adults will work on television, and it just doesn’t get any more adult than the mind of Clive Barker.

Mistborn

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Essential Reading: Mistborn: The Final Empire, Mistborn: The Well of Ascension, and Mistborn: The Hero of Ages

In his first multi-part epic, Mistborn, Brandon Sanderson created a world very different from the typical Tolkien-esque fantasy realm. Sanderson, the writer who was hand chosen to take over the Wheel of Time series from the deceased Robert Jordan, created a world with functional rules of magic and a complex but understandable history.

In the world of the Final Empire of Scadrial there are beings that can control metal, so, yes...Mistborn is pretty much a planet full of Magnetos warring for control of the Empire. The series also crosses genres as Sanderson recently announced that the new Mistborn trilogy will be set in a futuristic city.

read more: An Introduction to Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive

This genre-bending epic would make for great television as the book doesn't feature your expected fantasy settings and familiar swordplay. Imagine a show where Sanderson’s metal controlling wizards, known as Allomancers, use their powers to battle for the fate of Scadrial. Here, the combatants don’t use swords or axes; they use coins to wage epic battles. Picture that visual.

Mistborn could take viewers past the comforting confines of familiar fantasy elements into a new world of endless possibilities. There is enough political intrigue to please any Game of Thrones fan, but the well thought out system of magic and combat would make Mistborn appointment viewing...if only a network was brave enough.

The Dark Elf Saga

Author: R.A. Salvatore

Essential Reading: The Dark Elf Trilogy, The Icewind Dale Trilogy, and tons more Salvatore/Drizzt goodness...

Drizzt Do’Urden is like fantasy’s very own James Bond: an adaptable and enduring character that can fit into any type of fantasy story. For those who have never had the pleasure of reading a Drizzt novel, the long running series penned by R.A. Salvatore takes places in the Dungeons and Dragons sub-world, The Forgotten Realms...but Drizzt and his companions have grown way beyond the confines of that license. Drizzt’s book series has been a perennial mainstay on every bestseller list. Once a year or so, Salvatore revisits the Dark Elf champion and fans keep coming back for more.

In the Realms, Drizzt is the only member of his race, the vile Drow Elves, who was born with a sense of morality. His people see it is a tragic birth defect, but the people Drizzt help see the Dark Elf as a hero despite his dark lineage.

read more: With Child of a Mad God, R.A. Salvatore Begins a New Dark Fantasy Series

Drizzt and his status as the only altruistic member of an evil race is a story engine like no other in fantasy, but the drama does not end with Drizzt, who is surrounded by friends like Catti-Brie, a beautiful ranger turned mage, Wulfgar, a lost son of an aggressive race of barbarians who also must overcome his heritage to be a hero, Bruenor, the adopted Dwarven father of Catti-Brie and Wulfgar, and Regis, the somewhat cowardly Halfling thief.

Even the villains have an incredible amount of depth, antagonists such as Artemis Entreri, an assassin who is obsessed with defeating Drizzt in one on one combat, and Obould Many Arrows, an Orc warlord whose morality and motivations will surprise even the most jaded fantasy fan.

The Kingkiller Chronicle

Author: Patrick Rothfuss

Essential reading: The Name of the Wind, The Wise Man's Fear

Lionsgate is moving forward with a movie and TV adaptation of The Kingkiller Chronicle, complete with a Lin-Manuel Miranda as part of the project. Thank the gods, because the tone and world of Rothfuss’ epic is the closest thing to Game of Thrones fantasy lit has going at the moment. It sounds like the main narrative of this world will be made into movies, but we're not giving up on an epic TV adaptation just yet.

But there are stark (ha!) differences that would make this new fantasy classic a television staple. For one, The Kingkiller Chronicle is told from the point of view of one man, a hero named Kvothe, who is almost every heroic archetype rolled into one: a wizard, a warrior, a scholar, and even an accomplished musician...so he's kind of like Conan, Harry Potter, and Eddie Van Halen all rolled up into one.

read more: The Name of the Wind 10th Anniversary Edition Review

Rothfuss establishes political alliances, social structures, and rules of magic without robbing readers of any character development. And what a character! Kvothe doesn't always do the right thing for the right reasons; he is a flawed hero who makes mistakes as he has to navigate a complex world of danger and intrigue.

Whether it is on the streets as Kvothe learns to become an accomplished musician or in a mage school that is about as different from Hogwarts as it gets, Kvothe's adventures are never redundant and constantly surprising. Fantasy fans are reading Martin, but writers like Martin are reading Rothfuss.

Robert E. Howard Presents

Author: Robert E. Howard

Essential Reading: Any collected editions featuring Conan, Kull, Solomon Kane, Bran Mak Morn, Cormac Mac Art, El Borak...

Everyone knows Robert E. Howard created Conan the Barbarian, but he also created a legion of characters...and not all of them connected to the world of fantasy. As amazing as the first Conan the Barbarian film was, there has never really been a true film adaptation of any of Howard’s works on the big screen or on television.

read more: Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 1 Questions Answered

Imagine an anthology series where the mission statement is an exploration of the myriad time periods and characters created by Howard in his prolific but all too brief career. A show that could jump from the mist shrouded battlefields of Conan’s Hyboria, to the unexplored godless jungles of Solomon Kane’s era to the modern day boxing ring of Steve Costigan’s day.

There is so much to Howard beyond Conan, but the fickle nature of his fiction would make features difficult to construct for most of his characters. The short form nature of television would make a perfect platform for Howard’s children. By Crom, someone make it happen, I’ve been dying for a Solomon Kane show since I was about five!

The Dark Tower

Author: Stephen King

Essential reading: All of it.

So, the movie didn't exactly meet expectations, but that's only good news for TV fans. Stephen King recently told Vulture that the planned Dark Tower TV adaptation will be a complete reboot rather than a continuation of the story begun in the feature film.

It’s past time that Stephen King’s mythic quest series comes to television. The story contains everything that makes for great television drama: its own mythology, an incredible cast of characters, more action than you can shake a six shooter at, and an all abiding mystery. King doesn’t reveal till the end exactly what is in the Dark Tower and why his hero Roland has sacrificed everything to find it.