Vikings Valhalla: the first reviews of the Netflix series have fallen – ScreenLarge.com

Reviews of the spin-off series Vikings Valhalla on Netflix have fallen. Is it time to board the drakkar?

In a period full of soulless sequels, spin-offs, franchises stretched to the limit at the slightest signal of public appetite, everyone wonders if the revival of vikingsnamed Vikings Valhallaon netflixwill land in the provided category of dull and uninteresting spin-offs or that of universe-enriching returns.

Directed by Jeb Stuartthat spin-off series goes deep into the 11th century with an extra dose of actionin the words of the showrunner to Collider in January 2022. No need to know the very long original series, since the action now takes place a good century later, leaving Ragnar in the closet. That the fans of vikings reassure themselves, they will still find a filiation to put in their mouths. William the Conqueror will, for example, be Rollo’s great-great-grandson. What to play the game of 7 families against these barbarians with an impeccable gradient.

And like the French press (in any case Widescreen) was not allowed to see the series before its launch, we leaned towards the American critics of the series to discover the first echoes. So, did we really have to dig up the hatchet and leave to conquer England? Newspaper.

Frida Gustavsson exudes charisma

“Valhalla’s eight-episode first season improves on the original series – as it should, because it’s set in a more interesting time.” San Francisco Chronicle

“These characters may not have much complexity or depth, but they make up for their lack of thickness with a surplus of fury in their attitude – except Sam Corlett’s Leif, who is far too dull for what one would expect from one of the main characters of the series.” The Daily Beast

“Valhalla shows promise, delivering a handful of exciting new characters, but the series still needs to address its pacing issues and build more on its strengths instead of trying to re-inflate the story’s worn tire.” Collider

Well then, are we a little dull Leif? Dull as a leaf?

“I watched the second half of the eight episodes feeling relieved, because even if Valhalla never reaches the top of the Vikings parent company, the series it’s striving to become is quite powerful and satisfying overall. “ The Hollywood Reporter

“The series remains consistently entertaining even when it fails to process its best ideas. The production quality is very high, resulting in a series that is done with confidence, and carried by an evenly charismatic cast.” RogerEbert.com

“Vikings: Valhalla is crisp and often a very entertaining take on the Vikings franchise that could lean a bit more on the often messy Vikings ambition.” The AV Club

The Vikings franchise will have been a hair turning point for our masculinities

“After a well-paced first episode, the storyline starts to drag, especially when it focuses on the female character, Freydis Eiríksdóttir (Frida Gustavsson), back in Scandinavia while the main action takes place in England. better when we are given scenes of confrontation, or machinations involving Æthelred’s young son, Edmund, and the wise widow, Emma of Normandy.” The Telegraph

If the series does not get any rave reviews (notably because of its staggering pace or the lack of depth of certain characters), it therefore seems rather convincing according to its first feedback. And even if she doesn’t seem able to really impress, her good behavior described by the critics is rather enticing.

The 8 50-minute episodes that make up the first season of Vikings: Valhalla are available on Netflix since February 25, 2022.