Fantasy Netflix's The Witcher - General Discussion Thread

[Marvolo]

‘The Witcher’ Showrunner Talks Magic, Monsters and Sex as Trailer Drops (EXCLUSIVE)

Idk if it's the cinematography or what exactly but this just looks cheap. Not even close to the production quality of GOT. Or even History Channel's Vikings.

 

[harlequinade]

It's the pristine interiors, props, costumes etc., nothing here looks lived in. See looks like it's dumb as hell but at least on that show when you see the surroundings you really feel like **** went down there and it's not just proprs, it's evident in the trailer but it looks even more ridiculous in these pictures

Add to that that uninspired, ugly cinematography and it's a disaster

 

[Lilbaz]

Think it looked great. Can't wait.

 

[Lighthouse]

Think it looked great. Can't wait.

Me too. I don't like the desaturated color look but other than that it looks like "The Witcher".

 

[Scarecrow_King]

Some shots looks great, other shots looked terrible. I expect the entire show to be inconsistent.

 

[flickchick85]

I don’t think it looks that cheap, but I do think it looks rather generic and lifeless.

 

[OutOfBoose]

I'm liking it. Though I think they failed to create a unique and interesting look for the show. I can agree that it looks rather generic and sterile, even if not cheap. Missed opportunity. Plus I also don't have an opinion on Anya as Yennefer still.

Anyway, if storytelling is great, it can compensate.

P.S. Loving Cahir here.

 

[rebellion]

loved the trailer so much! cant wait. yen is gonna be the standout, it seems, as she should be.

 

[Deck Rickard]

I'm digging it. This trailer was much better because it actually gave you a sense of who Geralt is, rather than just a bunch of shots of him fighting (though the fights do look impressive... Cavill certainly put in the work in that department). I also like the low voice Cavill is doing here; similar to the Geralt of the games, though obviously with an English accent.

I get that it doesn't look as impressive as GoT or LOTR or whatever but I don't think it looks cheap either.

 

[Iceman]

I liked the trailer a lot. Could have done with a few more “exotic” scenes like showing off monsters.

 

[Deck Rickard]

I liked the trailer a lot. Could have done with a few more “exotic” scenes like showing off monsters.

My guess is that, much like GoT, the first season will be a tad light on monsters to keep the budget down and then if it's a hit, the budget will be increased and we'll see more in subsequent seasons. That's not a terrible way to go, IMO... GoT was at its best when it focused more on the characters and less on the spectacle, and it's possible this could be too. Though I've never read these books so I don't know if that would severely disappoint people. The games obviously have a ton of monsters but I'm not sure how prevalent they are in the novels.

 

[Iceman]

I'm digging it. This trailer was much better because it actually gave you a sense of who Geralt is, rather than just a bunch of shots of him fighting (though the fights do look impressive... Cavill certainly put in the work in that department). I also like the low voice Cavill is doing here; similar to the Geralt of the games, though obviously with an English accent.

I get that it doesn't look as impressive as GoT or LOTR or whatever but I don't think it looks cheap either.

Yeah Geralt was better here for sure. I liked what we saw of the other main characters too.

 

[Deck Rickard]

Yeah Geralt was better here for sure. I liked what we saw of the other main characters too.

Yeah. I really liked his "Don't judge me" line to his horse, haha.

 

[Iceman]

My guess is that, much like GoT, the first season will be a tad light on monsters to keep the budget down and then if it's a hit, the budget will be increased and we'll see more in subsequent seasons. That's not a terrible way to go, IMO... GoT was at its best when it focused more on the characters and less on the spectacle, and it's possible this could be too. Though I've never read these books so I don't know if that would severely disappoint people. The games obviously have a ton of monsters but I'm not sure how prevalent they are in the novels.

It makes perfect sense to do it that way. I also agree GoT was at its best with its political machinations and backstabbing characters, but the budget limitations even there really disappointed me (for eg on the direwolves). I’d be both very happy and a bit disappointed if it was the same for The Witcher. They’ve got to do what it takes to justify more seasons though, and maybe this is the way to do it. I’d hope that impressing people with both the characterisation as well as the visuals would have everyone flocking to it and make it a big exclusive for Netflix ahead of upcoming competition.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

He's trying to do Geralt's voice from the game.

I don’t think it looks that cheap, but I do think it looks rather generic and lifeless.

I liked the trailer, but honestly I don't know how to feel about the show. It does look generic, and I do think it kind of bounces between looking cheap, and looking like it cost a bit of dough. I do think the best shots are the bright , desert and morning ones in general, which has me a bit worried. I am not digging Cavill. He is stiff, even for him.

 

[Deck Rickard]

It makes perfect sense to do it that way. I also agree GoT was at its best with its political machinations and backstabbing characters, but the budget limitations even there really disappointed me (for eg on the direwolves). I’d be both very happy and a bit disappointed if it was the same for The Witcher. They’ve got to do what it takes to justify more seasons though, and maybe this is the way to do it. I’d hope that impressing people with both the characterisation as well as the visuals would have everyone flocking to it and make it a big exclusive for Netflix ahead of upcoming competition.

Yeah, it all comes down to execution. I know the reaction to the trailers has been mixed, but there's only so much you can gauge from that. If they cracked the right formula here, then maybe it could be the successor to GoT that we're looking for.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

My guess is that, much like GoT, the first season will be a tad light on monsters to keep the budget down and then if it's a hit, the budget will be increased and we'll see more in subsequent seasons. That's not a terrible way to go, IMO... GoT was at its best when it focused more on the characters and less on the spectacle, and it's possible this could be too. Though I've never read these books so I don't know if that would severely disappoint people. The games obviously have a ton of monsters but I'm not sure how prevalent they are in the novels.

The thing is, as the story goes on, you have less monsters. The monster hunting is the stuff you do at the start, as the story gets more and more involved and grandiose as it goes along.

 

[Lighthouse]

I wonder if it's a Netflix thing. I find Netflix trailers tend to be really underwhelming, even when I like the final product.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

I wonder if it's a Netflix thing. I find Netflix trailers tend to be really underwhelming, even when I like the final product.

Is this a thing? I know it is for me and the comedies, but I feel like I usually like the trailers for other things, like Stranger Things, Hillhouse and Sabrina. I loved their Daredevul and Jessica Jones trailers.

 

[Iceman]

Yeah, it all comes down to execution. I know the reaction to the trailers has been mixed, but there's only so much you can gauge from that. If they cracked the right formula here, then maybe it could be the successor to GoT that we're looking for.

True. It’s got me excited and there was nothing that turned me off. Just maybe could have fought for an extra 1 out of 10 by going more all out.

 

[gohei_]

The trailer did look a bit bland and colorless, but I will for sure check this out.

Trailers are good for building hype for a movie/show but they are completely useless at depicting what the final product will be like.

 

[MissMarvelous]

Haven't read the books, so I don't know what to expect really.

I liked what I saw today and I believe that from season to season, if the show is successful, the investment will be bigger and bigger. Ergo, even better quality and such.

But we are judging a trailer, we haven't seen the whole picture yet.

 

[DKDetective]

It's the pristine interiors, props, costumes etc., nothing here looks lived in. See looks like it's dumb as hell but at least on that show when you see the surroundings you really feel like **** went down there and it's not just proprs, it's evident in the trailer but it looks even more ridiculous in these pictures

Add to that that uninspired, ugly cinematography and it's a disaster

I re-watched the trailer and I realized that is exactly what was bugging me. A lot of the costume design is not bad (other than the Nilfgardian crap). Yennifer's clothes in particular are quite nice, but the you are right that everything looks brand new. It really hurts the atmosphere. It's even apparent on the still of Geralt that is the freezeframe for the trailer. There is no wear nor tear on his armour. It transfers over to the sets as well.

 

[KaijuDude1992]

I have really enjoyed everything I have seen from this show. Sure it doesn't quite look like it will have the same epic scope as something like GOT, but I am sucker for pretty much anything involving fantasy mythology and monsters, so this is right up my alley.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

I re-watched the trailer and I realized that is exactly what was bugging me. A lot of the costume design is not bad (other than the Nilfgardian crap). Yennifer's clothes in particular are quite nice, but the you are right that everything looks brand new. It really hurts the atmosphere. It's even apparent on the still of Geralt that is the freezeframe for the trailer. There is no wear nor tear on his armour. It transfers over to the sets as well.

Yen does look like hot fire, especially in those outfits. But yeah, there is a false gloss over everything. Makes it feel like Halloween decoration then the real deal.