Amazon's new Lord Of The Rings series has become Prime Video's most-watched premiere. Have a look at the trailer:
The Rings of Power finally landed on the streaming site last week, and fans of the saga couldn't wait to see what it looked like, with millions tuning in last week.
For those of you who aren't very au fait with it all, it's a spin-off series set thousands of years before the events of either The Hobbit or The Lord Of The Rings books.
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And it centres on the events of the Second Age and the forging of the famous rings.
"Rings of Power will take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and one of the greatest villains that ever flowed from Tolkien’s pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness," the official synopsis reads.
"Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared reemergence of evil to Middle-earth.
"From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the farthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone."
Sounds pretty good, right? Well, there were plenty of others who thought so too, because more than 25 million people watched the first episode on the first day it was available.
In a statement about the success, Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke said: "It is somehow fitting that Tolkien’s stories – among the most popular of all time, and what many consider to be the true origin of the fantasy genre – have led us to this proud moment."
But while the demand is clearly there, the series is proving divisive.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, the new series has a lower rating, just 38 percent among fans, than any of the original LOTR movies.
Just for reference, The Fellowship and The Twin Towers got 95 percent from fans and The Return of The King got 86.
Sharing their thoughts on the site, one viewer said: "So far, this is completely boring. Amazon wanted their own Game of Thrones, but this ain't it chief."
While another unhappy fan commented: "Really poor writing acting is not great the actors have no gravitas. The scenery and visuals are good the armour looks like its made out of playdough. Not a great show won't watch any more."
But not everyone was so scathing in their analysis. Some people actually liked it.
"Excellent visual presentation. Fantastic dialogue," said one.
The Rings of Power is currently available to watch on Amazon Prime.
Topics: Lord Of The Rings, Amazon Prime, TV and Film
Dominic Smithers