If you grew up playing Dungeons and Dragons or enjoy reading the likes of Tolkien, Jordan or Howard then you're definitely familiar with the overarching plot of MTV's The Shannara Chronicles. Though the TV series glosses over this detail, Shannara is set in a far-flung future where thousands of years after a nuclear war, the resulting radiation led to humanity mutating into several new species that became known as elves, orcs, dwarves and trolls - your typical fantasy sub-classes. The nuclear fallout also led to the creation of new agriculture, earth minerals and the rise of magic and mysticism. It's an interesting twist on the traditional approach taken in most high fantasy tales where the audience is reading or watching a world set in the distant past. Sadly, the MTV series gives this twist away fairly early on, whereas the novels save the revelation for the finale.
In this post-apocalyptic future, the Earth has been divided into what's known as The Four Lands, distinct territories that segregate the races of man, elf, dwarves and trolls. Long ago, a great evil was defeated and sealed away through a magic barrier erected inside a mythical tree known as the Ellcrys. However, the Ellcrys is beginning to wither and the barrier separating demons from the world of man is growing weaker with each passing day. Enter Wil Ohmsford , Amberle Elessedil, the Druid Allanon and the gypsy-Rover Eretria - four strangers who are united through extenuating circumstances and must travel through dangerous lands to plant a new seedling of the Ellcrys.
As previously stated, you've seen these characters before in the fantasy genre - the inexperienced hero with a special ability, the mysterious and aloof wizard, the headstrong princess and the raucous thief with dubious motives. If you're looking for layered and complex characters, you'e probably won't be able to stomach more than a few episodes. However, where the show excels is in its production values and fast pacing. Filming in location in New Zealand, the wide-sweeping shots present in each episode are absolutely stunning. As evidenced in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, there's just something about New Zealand that conjures imagery of exactly what you'd expect a fantasy world to look like. And while the dialogue can be a little mundane, the young actors Austin Butler (Wil), Poppy Drayton (Amberle) and Ivana Baquero (Eretria) all have great screen presence. Combined with the bravado of Manu Bennett (Allanon), you definitely care about this characters despite their questionable decision-making and cringe-worthy quips. The rapid progression of the story also allows for quick redemption when the plot stumbles
Our story adapts the second entry in the Sword of Shannara Trilogy, though the series makes many allusions and references to characters and events from the first novel - there's definitely crumbs being sprinkled for a possible prequel spinoff series. However, the direction that season 2 will take is anyone's guess as they've strayed very far from the source material. The next novel in Brooks' trilogy follows the children of Wil Ohmsford, however the main cast from season 1 is expected to return for season 2, a potential indication that an entirely original plot is being created unless Butler, Drayton and the rest of the cast are playing their character's descendants. Yet, regardless of whether the show ventures off into completely new material, there were enough good qualities in season 1 that the show's sophomore season is still on my viewing radar.
In short, this is a "CW" version of Game of Thrones. In the same way that Arrow, The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow can't hold a candle to Netflix's Daredevil or Luke Cage, you'll be hard pressed to find someone who prefers Shannara over HBO's Emmy-winning juggernaut. But that's not a knock on the Greg Berlanti produced DCTV universe, they're simply aimed at a teen audience whereas the Netflix shows deal with more adult subject matter. Likewise, Shannara could be best described as GoT's younger, unpolished cousin, who has potential but just needs the right spark to blossom. With just a little more seasoning it could easily carve out its own place among the fantasy greats.
Bonus Features:
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A Behind the Scenes look at the Making of The Shannara Chronicles – 18 minutes
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Exploring New Zealand – 2 minute featurette
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Making of Dagda Mor – 5 minute featurette
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Terry Brooks Interview – 2 minutes
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Digital HD Copy
Synopsis: Thousands of years after the destruction of our civilization, Earth is divided into what is known as the Four Lands, whose inhabitants are a mix of races including elves, dwarves, trolls, gnomes and humans. At the centre is the Shannara family, whose descendants are empowered with ancient magic and whose adventures continuously reshape the future of the world. As the story begins, dark and terrible forces thought to be confined for years, begin to escape. When Amberle, a young elven princess; Wil, the last descendant of the Shannara family; and Eretria, a human rover learn that only they have the power to stop the advancing evil, they form an uneasy alliance. Their seemingly impossible quest to save the world becomes a voyage of self-discovery as they find the inner strength to overcome self-doubt and fear, and embrace their destinies.
Release Date: 12/06/2016