Customer Reviews

Game of Thrones - Season 1-2 Complete [DVD]

5 star:		(224)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

The Fantasy genre gets the HBO treatment in the adaptation of George RR Martin's a Song of Ice and Fire novels.

The story take place in the mythical land of Westeros where seasons can span decades, it follows four central families the Starks, the Baratheons, the Lannisters and the Targaryens, allegiances shift, betrayal is rife as is the quest for power to be seated upon the iron throne, becoming more bloodthirsty and wider reaching as it goes on.

Game of Thrones pushes the fantasy genre into a truly adult realm without becoming hokey or silly like the recent Conan remake and while the likes of the supernatural and sorcery do feature, it paints a much more grounded world full of human characters with human flaws, the relationships they build and the ploys they use to outmanoeuvre each other becoming centrepieces for the show. Characters you love to hate quickly emerge though as time goes on it becomes apparent everyone is not who they seem and even the most loathsome characters have their endearing moments. Season 2 introduces even more players into the mix, quickly becoming part of the on-going story continually building momentum to a climatic battle.

Like HBO's other drama series the focus is on character, it develops into an epic sprawling story but it's the people that will keep you coming back for more. Sean bean effortlessly heads up the cast slipping into the title role with ease bringing gravitas to a demanding role of a man with honour in a realm that has none. Peter Dinklage also shines in his emmy winning role as Tyrion, the sharp tongued quick thinking dwarf who is a firm fan favourite for a very good reason, despite being in the most loathed family you will quickly find yourself rooting for him.

The production value of the show is immense, from costumes to locations everything is brought to life as a screen marvel, beautifully shot with the best directors working on TV giving an episodic program a truly epic feel every time, creating not just a story but a world. Season 2's siege episode 'Blackwater' is unparalleled in terms of quality, never has TV felt so epic. Bone crunching, unflinching violence and graphic sex feature throughout an adult show not for younger viewers.

As book adaptations go the show is largely very faithful, fans of the novels will delight in seeing Martin's vividly described fantasy world coming to life, while there are a few changes, the end product is close to the source material but still manages to throw in a few surprises along the way. Going in without having read the books provides many twists and turns but as the show progresses attention must be paid to which families side with which and whose related to who.

Even if fantasy is not your usual taste its well worth giving Game of Thrones a go, there's a lot to enjoy, in a world you will quickly find yourself swept up in, bring on season 3.

Season one:

Banners, swords, hopes, sigils, dreams and reality, the first season of a 'Game of Thrones' follows closely to the fist book in the A Song of Ice and Fire, 7 Volumes series by George R.R. Martin also called A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1).

This series is truly epic, the Blu ray quality is fantastic and the story is ground breaking. I would advice having a couple of days free when you buy this as the chances are you will watch one and find yourself flying through all 10 episodes in no time at all.

By the end you will be shocked, excited, worried and ready... Winter is coming...

Season two:

Houses hold everything, wealth, honour, protection, loyalty and rights. Arryn, Baratheon, Greyjoy, Lannister, Martell, Stark, Targaryen, Tully, and Tyrell, it matters not, all are involved in the Game of Thrones.

The stories continue, and what lies beyond the wall may just threaten everything the houses fight for, division will kill all, but unified they may just withstand the inevitable wrath of the 'white walkers'.

This second season of a 'Game of Thrones' is based upon the novel by George R. R. A Clash of Kings (Reissue) (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 2) and is just as epic, fun, violent and world churning as the first season.

Extremely well put together by HBO and a must watch for all who have come to know and love the story to date!

An incredibly original story and concept. You can never predict what will happen next. A little too much blood for my taste but maybe that is necessary to understand the situation the characters find themselves in.

Hoping Lord Tyrion survives in series 4 (if there is one).

Beautifully presented box set of a fantastic series, comes with booklets and ancestry of all the families etc. Seeing in Blu Ray give that extra dimension and shows off the cinematography so well.

My wife and I started watching this based purely on the previews and I feel its fair to say we were hooked from episode one.
This is a fantasy for adults, with sex, violence and swearing.
The story is incredibly detailed and has superb depth so is difficult to do justice in a short summation. However. In essence is about families at war on different fronts and from different enemies.....and everything in between.
The characterisation is very well done with each family and race being very different and having different desires. Tyrian the dwarf is fantastically well casted and its certainly obvious why so many fans like him.
The sets are beautiful and it is obvious a lot of money has been invested to really make you feel you are part of it.
Something that doesn't often happen with a t.v show.
Although this does have all the basic wants of the fantasy genre such as magic and medieval style fighting, this should in no way put off anyone who isn't a fan of that style. The story is mesmeric and the depth will drag everyone in to the extent that you will look forward to every episode and the twists and turns will amaze even the most hardened and sceptical of people.
I cannot recommend this enough to anyone and everyone who enjoys watching an intelligent show. My wife loathes anything that is even slightly fantasy related and she is as hooked as I am. Brilliant from start to finish.

The mastering quality of the blu-ray discs is great. the image quality is crisp and colours are vibrant and full of life. Plays great via my 55 inch Sony television.

The only reason for docking a point is the unusual menu system they have incorporated. Each disc holds 2 episodes in series 2, except for one. You aren't really made aware of this via the menus, as they let you select episodes which aren't on the disc. When you do this the player then asks you to insert 'disc xxx'. Its a bit messy and would have been much better if they had just configured the menus to show the actual episodes on the disc in the player.

Minor point, but it irked me.

Great show too, but if you are reading this, you already know.

Superb characterisation. Unexpected twists and turns, subtle sub-plots. I have watched the first series twice and will watch the second series again and catch up with the bits I missed the first time.

Excellent entertainment.

Fabulous series - We've read all the books and have not been disappointed. Characters and settings are almost as imagined. So pleased we read the books first.

It's always difficult to relate and assess a film which is based on a book; but any attempt to do so, with the giant saga coming from the mind of George R. R. Martin will only invite disappointment, if one is relying on its faithfulness to the saga's content alone.

The strength of the film version here is the acting; particularly with regard, for example, the portrayal of the evil Littlefinger.

As I said, given that proviso, the season 1-2, is gripping to watch;

If like me your late to the scene of Game of Thrones then your either someone who dislikes fantasy or you've just had it pass you by. To be fair the fantasy element isn't in your face and the setting could be medieval England - with twists. There is some nudity and bad language but not gratuitous. Worth having in your collection.