4k Review – Game of Thrones: The Complete Collection

4K Release – 4.5/5

Season One
Creator(s) – David Benioff (X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Troy) and D.B. Weiss (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia)
Starring – Lena Headey (Dredd, The Purge), Sean Bean (Silent Hill, Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring), and Emilia Clarke (Solo: A Star Wars Story, Murder Manuel)
Release Date – 2011
Rating – 3/5

Tagline – “The game begins”

Most know me for my love of horror and exploitation but when I was younger I was a normal little boy. I loved kid movies but I had a love for fantasy adventure tales. I loved both Conan movies, Beastmaster, the Lord of the Rings animated films, Deathstalker, and a few others like it. I was a huge fan of these films and they were such a huge part of my childhood. When HBO announced their television adaptation of Game of Thrones I really wanted to check it out but work and writing reviews for movies took away most of my free time.

Season one moved on to season two and before long there was 8 seasons. I knew I would get around to checking it out eventually but I gave up on checking them out when the episodes aired. Recently, I received word that the series was getting a 4K release. I reached out and was lucky enough to get a copy in for review…and now my journey begins!

**Spoiler Alert** The first seasons follows 7 kingdoms under the rule of one king. However, the king dies and news spreads that his son is actually the result of an incestuous relationship between his mother, the queen, and her twin brother. This, along with others believing they are the rightful heirs to the throne, creates strife among the 7 kingdoms. **Spoiler Alert**

Almost everyone I know is fans of this show with some going as far as to have various tattoos to dedicate their love of the show forever on their body. The following for this series is very loyal and that only fueled my desire to finally check it out. I enjoyed this first season but it wasn’t as fun as I was hoping for. In fact, if I wasn’t told my fans to keep going I would probably stop here. It was entertaining but nowhere near as entertaining as many lead me to believe.

The acting in this series is absolutely phenomenal. There is so many amazing cast members in this show and if I was to talk about each and every one I would be here all day. This is easily the best cast and acted show I have ever seen. Everyone absolutely nails their performances and the characters will stick with you long after you stopped watching the show.

The story for this one is very much a political drama set against a fantasy adventure backdrop. Think of House of Cards meets Lord of the Rings. The political drama aspect does require you to pay close attention which is a little too smart of a watch for me at times. However, the character development, action, and betrayal that happens really pulls the viewer in.

Finally, the film has some rather impressive fight scenes and plenty of blood. It does have some moments of brutality and great practical effects but nothing hardcore horror fans haven’t seen before. Overall, Season One is a very entertaining watch. The cast is the highlight of the show but the story is a little too politically charged for my own liking. With that being said I enjoyed it.

Season Two
Creator(s) – David Benioff (X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Troy) and D.B. Weiss (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia)
Starring – Peter Dinklage (Avengers: Infinity War, X-Men: Days of Future Past), Kit Harington (Silent Hill: Revelation, Seventh Son), and Jack Gleeson (Batman Begins, Reign in Fire)
Release Date – 2012
Rating – 3/5

Tagline – “The clash of kings has begun”

Games of Thrones is one of the biggest television shows of recent years only coming in second to The Walking Dead. Fans were rabid when episodes would release which did intrigue me. With so many people proclaiming their love for the show it was only as matter of time before I dug into it. After watching season one I needed to push further into the series. The first season was alright but it wasn’t good enough to make me obsess over it. Maybe season two would pick up?

**Spoiler Alert** The season begins with the 7 kingdoms fighting over the crown with several “heirs” questioning King Joffrey (Gleeson) place on the throne. This leads to several alliances and treacherous agreements before King’s Landing becomes sieged by another claiming kingship. **Spoiler Alert**

Horror is and always will be the love of my life. I grew up with it and it’s been just as much apart of my life as breathing, eating, and shitting. Shows like Supernatural, The X-Files, and Tales From the Crypt always held my attention. However, Game of Thrones is entertaining but I can’t help and find myself tuning out from some of the more dialogue heavy scenes where we hear the cast explain the scenes we just previously watched. I get that there is a lot of things going on but we don’t need a show hold our hands as a viewer. Season two did not do that as much as season one but I was bored a bit regardless.

The acting in this season is just as iconic as the first season. The characters are absolutely amazing and the cast delivers some of the best performances of their careers. These characters are iconic and even though I feel the series is out to a slow start these characters and performances are something that will last with me a lifetime. The story for season two is still a very politically charged dramas but we do get more action and more story than just diplomacy and treason. This season picks up beautifully where the first season left off. It’s a bit faster paced and more interesting that the first season as well.

Finally, we once against get some moments of blood and some light gore but nothing horror fans haven’t seen before. The fight scenes are beautifully shot and well choreographed with the blood being the icing on the cake. Overall, Season two is a slightly better season than the first season but if I wasn’t sent the entire series to review I doubt I would continue on my own. It’s fun just not for me.

Season Three
Creator(s) – David Benioff (Troy, 25th Hour) and D. B. Weiss (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia)
Starring – Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Gods of Egypt, The Silencing), Liam Cunningham (Clash of the Titans, Doctor Who), and Jerome Flynn (Ripper Street, Black Mirror)
Release Date – 2013
Rating – 3.5/5

Tagline – “Fear cuts deeper than swords”

If it was up to me I wouldn’t continue with Game of Thrones after the second season. The first two seasons were good but for the length of time I put into the entire season I was expecting so much more. However, the fact that I was sent the entire series for review means I had to keep going and I’m glad I did. Season three was a vast improvement over the first two seasons with a much richer story to follow. I’m glad I didn’t dip out when I wanted to and stuck with it.

**Spoiler Alert** This season follows the 7 kingdoms as war still rages on for the kingship. While different self-proclaimed kings fight for the iron throne, the rangers in the north uncover a massive army beyond the wall looking to attack the 7 kingdoms. **Spoiler Alert**

I was expecting more of the same with season three but with this season we are introduced to a little more story and this time it has some much darker elements. I, in particularly, enjoyed the wildlings and walkers aspect and I very much look forward to seeing more of them in future seasons.

The acting in this one is exactly what I would expect from the previous seasons. The casting in this show is absolutely amazing and the characters are some of the best written characters in television history. We do get a few additional characters introduced and some lost but the consistency is mind blowing. The story for this one really drives home the dark and troubling times that slowly builds up in the first two seasons. I really enjoyed how this season really amps up the action while diving further into the North mythology that was lightly discussed in previous seasons. The pacing is more fluid this time around with action breaking up the dialogue heavy scenes.

Finally, this show wouldn’t be as much fun if it wasn’t for the blood and light gore. The effects work for what they are but horror fans have seen much more depravity on camera. Overall, Season three is the best season so far and one that really sold me on the series. I really look forward to season four now.

Season Four
Creator(s) – David Benioff (Troy, 25th Hour) and D.B. Weiss (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia)
Starring – John Bradley (American Satan, Patient Zero), Maisi Williams (The New Mutants, The Owners), and Sophie Turner (X-Men: Dark Phoenix, X-Men: Apocalypse)
Release Date – 2014
Rating – 4/5

Tagline – “All men must die”

I know some of you will read my review for the previous seasons and think that I didn’t like them. I very much enjoyed them but they just wasn’t something that I would willing watch. Those seasons are a little too political for my liking but season three was a departure from this and season four begins the pushing into some more interesting storyline featuring the Night’s Watch and the wildlings. Season three was a great jumping point with season four really diving deep into it.

**Spoiler Alert** With Robb Stark dead and his northern forces crushed, Joffrey is able to find peace and marry. However, he is poisoned in his wedding day and his brother is crowned king. Another force that is pushing on the crown for kingship travels to Castle Black where they imprison the wildlings leader after they attacked the wall. **Spoiler Alert**

Each season has been improving over the last. Season one was decent and season two improved but season three was really the turning point for me with season four really impressing me. We are getting deeper and deeper into the Northern storyline which is something that has really interested me with this show.

The acting is exactly as the previous seasons. Everyone really deserves recognition and all the characters, regardless if you like them or not, are fucking iconic by this point. The story for this one is a beautiful continuation of the story set forth in the previous installments. If features some great action sequences, heartbreak, happiness, and unexpected deaths. It really does work and the entire political aspect is still there but it’s not as the spearhead of the show like in previous seasons.

Finally, the series features plenty of blood and a few gory moments. The effects look good but, much like previous seasons, it’s nothing horror fans haven’t seen before. With that being said, the visual effects for the dragons are not the best. I’m sure during half a decade ago they looked decent but they did not age well. Overall, Season four is my favorite of the series so far and I can only see it going up from here. The action sequences and story progression really made me a fan and this season is, without a doubt, the best I’ve seen yet. I can’t wait to see the next season.

Season Five
Creator(s) – David Benioff (Troy, X-Men Origins: Wolverine) and D.B. Weiss (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia)
Starring – Iain Glen (Resident Evil: Extinction, Kick-Ass 2), Gwendoline Christie (Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, The Hunger Games: Mickingjay – Part 2), and Aidan Gillen (The Dark Knight Rises, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword)
Release Date – 2015
Rating – 4/5

Tagline – “Vengeance is coming”

When I finished season four I had intended of waiting a few days before I went into another season. I have some movies I need to check out and review but season four really hit hard with me so I decided that go ahead with season five. I was sent home when a co-worker tested positive for Covid so I had plenty of time to dig into this season and holy fuck was it better than I expected.

**Spoiler Alert** This season once again follows the kingdom as Joffrey’s brother, now king, is wed and his forces are squashing down rebellions throughout the 7 kingdoms. While things sort themselves out in the kingdom, the rangers are divided as Jon Snow sympathizes with the wildlings and let them in for fear of the white walkers but mutiny among his ranks leads to his untimely death. **Spoiler Alert**

As the show gears up for the battle between the 7 kingdoms and the white walkers I find myself becoming increasingly excited. I absolutely love this story arch and the fact that it keep taking up more and more screen time really excites me. I’m sure season six will be even better!

The acting in this season is probably the most impressive with many of the title characters taking on even more intense performances. I was completely blown away by how far Lena Headey was willing to go for her role. She literally bared it all for the show and her performance this season blows all the previous seasons out of the water. Her character is written for you to hate and she does a fantastic job.

The story for this season, once again, picks up brilliantly from the previous season with even more character development. Characters that were just shown briefly in previous seasons or that was not the most well developed characters are now transitioning to likable characters or more development is placed on them. I really like the direction they took Jamie Lannister and how he is becoming one of my favorites of the show.

Finally, the practical effects and deaths are a little more brutal this time around but they are overshadowed by the dated and poorly done visual effects for the dragons and white walkers. I’m sure they looked good five years ago when it was released but now I find these effects very funny. Overall, Season five is easily the most action packed and epic season of the series so far but I know the future seasons are only going to improve from here. Fantastic season.

Season Six
Creator(s) – David Benioff (Troy, Brothers) and D.B. Weiss (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia)
Starring – Maisie Williams (The Owners, The New Mutants), Alfie Allen (John Wick, The Predator), and Isaac Hempstead Wright (The Boxtrolls, The Awakening)
Release Date – 2016
Rating – 3.5/5

It’s hard for me to find the time to watch a television show in it’s entirety. I work a full time job and I have three little ones that can’t stand when their parent leaves the room. Bathroom breaks are fun… Anyway, I find it difficult to binge a television show especially if it contains nudity. At the beginning ofthe month I binged five seasons of Game of Thrones because I was stuck at home due to a co-worker testing positive for Covid-19. That was a bit of a task for me so I took a few weeks to take a break from the show before making the return. I had a three day weekend and decided it was time to get back into it.

**Spoiler Alert** This season begins with the resurrection of Jon Snow who regains the Night’s Watch after executing those that turned their swords on him while his half-brother goes deeper into his visions where he uncovers the truth about Jon and who the white walkers really are. Jon then regains his army and marks on Winterfell to reclaim it from the Bolts. In the south a religious order is splitting the city forcing Cersi to commit her most atrocious act yet. **Spoiler Alert**

Season one did try my patience. I wasn’t a bad season but it was rather boring and focused way too much on the political aspect of the show. In other seasons we get more action, character development, and the northern storyline which is my favorite aspect of the show. Sadly, season six seems to be a bit of a drag. It’s still an improvement over that first season but not by much.

The acting in this one, and all previous seasons, is absolutely fantastic. This is some of the best acted television I’ve ever seen. I never thought I would see a television show with this many unforgettable performances but this does not disappoint. The story for this one does, to an extent, put the northern story on the backburner while it dives back into the political side of the show where new rulers forge alliances while the Mother of Dragons continues on her quest to gain an army to take back the 7 Kingdoms. It wasn’t a bad season and the story is essential for the bigger story at hand but the diplomatic storylines is extremely dull to me.

Finally, this season is just like the previous seasons. It’s not afraid to get bloody when it has to and the kills are great. The practical effects are top notch and work very well for the scenes. With that being said, the visual effects are hit and miss for me. There is times when the dragons look great and then others they are laughable like previous seasons. Overall, Season six is another solid entry into one of pop culture’s most memorable shows. It is a little too slow for me but it still hit the spot.

Season Seven
Creator(s) – David Benioff (Troy, Stay) and D.B. Weiss (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia)
Starring – Hannah Murray (Charlie Says, Dark Shadows), Carice van Houten (Black Death, Repo Men), and Kristofer Hivju (The Witcher, The Thing)
Release Date – 2017
Rating – 4/5

Tagline – “The end begins”

Here we are. When I started watching this series and talking about it among friends I was told that if I loved the northern story and the white walker angle then I would absolutely love season seven. I was looking forward to this season after others told me about it but I was weary after watching the last season. As I stated in my review for the previous season, it wasn’t a bad season but it was a downward spiral from the three season’s before it.

**Spoiler Alert** This seasons follows the Mother of Dragons as she makes her way to Dragonstone with her army and begins negotiations with Jon Snow who is now king of the north. She wants him to bend the knee but he refuses at first in hopes of convincing her to put her quest for the 7 Kingdoms aside to focus on the army of the dead in the north. Over time she agrees and the two set out to convince Cersi to alliance with them until the army of the dead is defeated. Cersi agrees but she has another play to make behind their backs. **Spoiler Alert**

This season did have the political side that I don’t really care for but it did dive deeper into the northern story with much more revealed and several surprises along the way. Honestly, I think this is my favorite season yet and I can’t wait to dive into the final season.

The acting in this one is consistent with the previous seasons. The cast is absolutely amazing and the viewer is given so many memorable characters. It seems like each episode has me changing my mind up over who is my favorite character. The story for this one is still very loyal to the GoT universe while diving so much deeper into the white walker lore. We get some much needed action with the army of the dead and their ever expanding story draws me in. With that being said, the political drama is still there but it’s not as dominate as the previous season. We also get some more character story development as well that brings some great revelations to the viewer.

Finally, the film is full of carnage and action. The battle with the dead was fantastic. This season is not as bloody as previous seasons but we do get some great visual effects that put past seasons to shame. Overall, Season seven is my favorite season so far and well worth the wait. I hope season eight can hit this hard!

Season Eight
Creator(s) – David Benioff (Troy, X-Men Origins: Wolverine) and D.B. Weiss (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia)
Starring – Gwendoline Christie (Wizards vs. Aliens, Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens), Kit Harington (Seventh Son, How to Train Your Dragon 2), and Emilia Clarke (Solo: A Star Wars Story, Terminator Genisys)
Release Date – 2019
Rating – 2.5/5

Tagline – “For the throne”

Season seven is the highlight of the show in my opinion. It was more action than alliances and politics with the biggest focus on the White Walkers and the north. I was originally told this would be the best season and I should stop there. Most fans of the show really dislike the last season but I tend to go against the grain so I was looking forward to see what would happen to the characters that I grew to love with season eight. I should have listened to everyone and skipped this piss poor excuse for a season.

**Spoiler Alert** This season follows the Night King and his undead army as they make their way from the north why Cersi has betrayed the Mother of Dragons. Jon Snow and his army stop the army of the dead while Araya is able to kill the Night King. With the army of the dead stopped they focus on Cersi and taking over King’s Landing. Once this is done the Mother of Dragons doesn’t stop the killing there which puts Jon in a difficult situation. **Spoiler Alert**

I was actually looking forward to this season but it was apparent that the show was grasping here. It was very predictable and the predictability really made the season lose it’s impact. It wasn’t fun and it shouldn’t have been rushed.

The acting in this one is still fantastic. Emilia Clarke reaches an intensity that she did not in other seasons. She is absolutely the star of the show and refuses to let anyone out do her. With that being said, the rest of the cast is still absolutely amazing. Every episode blows my mind with how great the cast is. I’m now actively seeking out the other films and shows this cast has been in. The story for this one is predictable and rushed. The atmosphere and tension that the previous seasons had is gone. Each episode takes a major event that should span a good portion of the season and gives them as little screen time as possible. It’s a short season and very underwritten and rushed.

Finally, the film is still just as bloody as the others while using the best visual effects of the season yet. When the dragons were first introduced they were laughable but now they are serious parts of the story and look fantastic. I wouldn’t say the best use of visual effects I’ve seen to date but they do look good. The practical effects fit the kills as well for the season. The deaths are bloody, violent, and satisfy the most of the bloodthirsty horror fans. Overall, Season eight is a huge disappointment. It has one good episode but aside from that this season fails. Honestly, do like most of the GoT fans suggest and skip this season altogether.