Amazon's 'Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' series premieres this weekend. See what critics are saying about the new show here.

"The nearly half-billion dollars Amazon allegedly spent filming the show in New Zealand hasn't gone to waste: 'The Rings of Power' looks incredible, with a hyper-saturated, almost psychedelic feel that instantly sets it apart from the dark and gritty aesthetics of shows like 'Thrones.'" — The Ringer

"Some of the most awe-inspiring images that have ever been brought to life on TV." — Inverse

"Amazon's gamble has (mostly) paid off, at least in terms of scope and scale. The money is up there on the screen, as everything feels suitably epic and huge." — SlashFilm

"As for production value, it's not exactly surprising that the physical world-building and glittering, armored costumes rate so high given the show's astronomical price tag, but it's still refreshing to escape into an alternate world that feels more tangibly real than it does CGI creation." — Variety

"The money certainly shows onscreen: 'The Rings of Power' is a dazzling, gorgeous, thrilling trip to Middle Earth." — New York Post

"What hobbles 'The Rings of Power' is its teasingly derivative design that evokes Jackson's trilogy while also asserting itself as something entirely new." — Roger Ebert

"Two decades after Jackson first took us to Middle-earth, 'The Rings of Power' presents something familiar, but freshened up enough to make the visit worthwhile for established fans and Tolkien newbies." — CNET

"Despite its being a product of the ultimate hype machine and the way it banks on you being fondly familiar with New Line Cinema's movies based on J. R. R. Tolkien's books, 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' is an absolute knockout that brings a vibrant, new energy to the franchise." — The Verge

"The premiere episode alone, while tight-as-a-drum formally, goes beyond borrowing a few classic storytelling techniques; it evokes so many specific callbacks to 'The Fellowship of the Ring,' Jackson's name deserves a slot in the credits." — IndieWire

"Composer Bear McCreary's soundtrack plays off the familiar tunes of Howard Shore's iconic soundtrack and instantly tugs at the heartstrings of anyone who would find themselves affected by the music of Middle-earth." — Collider

"The music is grandiose and thrilling, and sells how big the show wants to be, no matter how big your screen might be." — The Hollywood Reporter

"'The Rings of Power' leans on Bear McCreary's score as a canny extension of Howard Shore's original motifs to underline the main message: Whatever this behemoth is, it's a 'Lord of the Rings' joint first and foremost." — Vulture

"The sweeping, ethereal musical score from Bear McCreary adds to the sense of grandeur." — TV Line

"'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' is a series with good bones. It has a strong cast, the action is stellar, and the plots are interesting. Yet, I was left wanting something more." — Comicbook.com

"In the second episode, the story starts to actually move along and there are characters and scenes that I found utterly charming in the way a show like this requires for long-term survival, even if some of the effects and epic scale diminish a tiny bit." — The Hollywood Reporter

"Amazon only made the two episodes available to critics. Maybe things pick up. New locations could feel less like Now That's What I Call Middle-Earth! karaoke." — Entertainment Weekly

"While the first two episodes are enjoyable, they largely feel like a retread — both of Jackson's 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy, and of other fantasy shows we've seen in recent years." — Daily Dot