Reviews of A Game of Thrones (1996) and related work
- Sequel: A Clash of Kings (1998)
- Sequel: A Storm of Swords (2000)
- Sequel: A Feast for Crows (2005)
- Sequel: A Dance with Dragons (2011)
- Adaptation: Game of Thrones (2011)
A Game of Thrones (1996
)
George R. R. Martin (writer).
‣ A Clash of Kings (1998)
George R. R. Martin (writer).
‣ A Storm of Swords (2000)
George R. R. Martin (writer).
‣ A Feast for Crows (2005)
George R. R. Martin (writer).
‣ A Dance with Dragons (2011)
George R. R. Martin (writer).
‣ Game of Thrones (2011
) – previously
Seen in 2020.
Having started reading Martin’s novels around 2000, and having stayed abreast as a casual fan, I appreciated the early choices made with this adaptation. The first six seasons were appropriately condensed and divergent. It didn’t capture the richness of Martin’s work at the lower levels of society, but nor did it go overboard into his teen angst wank for high-fantasy superheroes like Daemon “🙄” Targaryen, despite being naturally focused on a limited cast who are all movers and shakers. Sure, there were moments of poor CGI, too few warm hats at the Wall, adult actors supposedly playing children, child characters like the awesome Missandei replaced by more adults etc., but I could live with that. Having experienced the time before VOD and digital VFX gave enormous projects like this mainstream appeal and made them economically feasible, I’d feel foolish complaining. That said, the last two seasons clearly demonstrate that Martin’s writing was the foundation of the show’s success. Without novels to draw on, the whole thing deteriorated quickly.
References here: The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (2019).