As an MMA fan, I thought I'd give this show a try and to be honest wasn't expecting much aside from the usual brutality which is stuff you'd get on Blackbelt TV or something, but hats off to the scripters for nailing this show spot on.
The choice of lead and support characters and their multi-layers, which continue to get deeper with each passing episode, plot and sub- plot..it is absolutely genius.
The simple premise on which the story is built and subsequent sub- stories and characters added on make the story telling angles just as juicy as the camera work and fighting scenes.
I'd love to see how far wide they can cast the story without losing the MMA base plot.
So far, excellent, RAW, watching. 9.5 out of 10 from me.
----------------------UPDATE---------------------------------------
having watched about 7 episodes now I can confidently say I await a 2nd season with baited breath. I usually hate giving off details that would ruin a first time watcher via the review so I'll keep it at that. The only close comparison I could draw with this is the movie "Warrior" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1291584/?ref_=nv_sr_1) which in a way tried to condense all the relational angles and fighting into 140min. Kingdom draws it out more, allowing the audience to identify with each characters'struggles, pain, triumph and emotions. The pure rawness and reality of the everyday struggles on fighting for relationships to work, making ends meet, pursuing your dream are captured all to well. And as someone said, you don't need to love MMA to relate to this.
Final verdict: 10/10
The choice of lead and support characters and their multi-layers, which continue to get deeper with each passing episode, plot and sub- plot..it is absolutely genius.
The simple premise on which the story is built and subsequent sub- stories and characters added on make the story telling angles just as juicy as the camera work and fighting scenes.
I'd love to see how far wide they can cast the story without losing the MMA base plot.
So far, excellent, RAW, watching. 9.5 out of 10 from me.
----------------------UPDATE---------------------------------------
having watched about 7 episodes now I can confidently say I await a 2nd season with baited breath. I usually hate giving off details that would ruin a first time watcher via the review so I'll keep it at that. The only close comparison I could draw with this is the movie "Warrior" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1291584/?ref_=nv_sr_1) which in a way tried to condense all the relational angles and fighting into 140min. Kingdom draws it out more, allowing the audience to identify with each characters'struggles, pain, triumph and emotions. The pure rawness and reality of the everyday struggles on fighting for relationships to work, making ends meet, pursuing your dream are captured all to well. And as someone said, you don't need to love MMA to relate to this.
Final verdict: 10/10