Game of Thrones Review




Title: Game of Thrones
Starring: Lena Headey, Peter Dinklage, Emilia Clarke, Jack Gleeson
Rating: 18
Length: 10 x 55 minutes approx
Directors: Alan Taylor, Brian Kirk, Daniel Minahan and others


Game of Thrones is a HBO original series based on the international best-selling books by George R. R. Martin.

The release of the second season of this hit show on Blu-ray is once again one of the most hotly anticipated releases of 2013. It’s the show that everyone is watching... And if they’re not - they should be!

Combining a mythical world with a generation of family feuds, bloody war, treachery, murder, lies and lust, Game of Thrones has defined a world so unique, complex and compelling that any preconceived notions of the genre fall away
.

The households are continuing a dark and ancient battle for control of the Iron Throne in the land of Westeros. There are some big battles to come for the Starks and the Lannisters. Hostages will be taken and blood will be spilled. Dark magic will be used in the battle for the Iron Throne, along with swords, manipulation and cunning.

Game of Thrones Season 2 DVDEddard (Ned) Stark (Sean Bean) is dead. King Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy) is dead and it’s a darker world without them now that Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson) sits on the Iron Throne. A cruel and hateful youngster Joffrey would bring about the total downfall of the Lannister family if his evil nature wasn’t being carefully suppressed by Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklege).
Across the Narrow Sea, Viserys Targaryen is also dead and the horsemen tribe the Dothraki have abandoned Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) after the death of horse lord Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa).

And so it would seem that all of your favourite characters are now dead. What does that mean for this second season? Well fortunately writer George RR Martin has thought ahead and introduced a host of new likable and/or evil characters as well as giving more time for some of the smaller characters such as Tyrion Lannister – no pun intended.

Indeed in season two Peter Dinklage gets the bigger character arc that he deserves – sent home from battle by his father to act as Hand of the King to keep Joffrey in check. He is especially watchable and likable.
Conversely Lena Headey has her role cut down somewhat – now that her husband is dead, her lover/brother is a hostage of the Starks and her son is out of control she seems to have withdrawn a little from the public eye, still it’s not stopped her from shagging her cousin! Crazed and incestuous beyond belief her character is still compelling and Headey is an excellent actress for the role.

Game of Thrones is full of torture, gruesome beheadings, bloody battles, sex, incest and a fair bit of full frontal nudity. Blood flows episode after episode as one or another character is hacked to death. Sex is also a large part of the mix, as are prostitutes and incest. It’s certainly graphic, yet not necessarily gratuitous.
I love the fact that the cast is completely international, and it is also great to see several youngsters producing just as strong performances as the adults such as Jack Gleeson as Joffrey Baratheon (crazed and bloodthirsty), Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark (thoughtful and caring, but also terrorised by Joffrey) and Maisie Williams as Arya Stark (tiny but plucky and intelligent).

The direction, as with earlier episodes is excellent and is also surprisingly consistent when taking into account that each episode is helmed by a different director. The episodes match together seamlessly despite the several fiercely complicated storylines that are ongoing throughout this second season.
When watching Game of Thrones on TV you will of course have to wait for each episode to air. When viewing at home on Blu-ray or DVD you will be treated to the option of watching several episodes at once. You’ll no doubt find yourself so engrossed that hours will pass by. You’ll find yourself wishing that there were more episodes and eager to see season three.

Game of Thrones is extremely engrossing TV. It’s of the highest calibre in every sense and is beyond highly recommended.



Author : Kevin Stanley