Cinematography, costumes, set, and props are all supposed to support the actors & story.
In theatre we have an old maxim, if you spent the show admiring the sets, costumes, and lighting, then they were a distraction from what the show is supposed to be about.
I hold film to the same standard. If I'm too distracted by everything else going on, then something is wrong with what the show is supposed to be about.
All spectacle, and little substance makes for a starving audience.
I hear what you're saying, but I didn't find those things to be a distraction. For me they helped to pull me in. It is only on reflection that I can tell you how good they were and the main reason for that is that I was not distracted by them at all. I struggled to even post anything during the episode as I didn't want to miss anything. It's been a while since I felt that way.
It might not be the books, or have the depth of the books, but when has it ever? I try not to compare the two. They are entirely different. Needless to say, despite the Sansa weirdness, I was most definitely entertained.
I agree. And I'm not basing my 5 off comparison with the books. But I think you're misunderstanding whitewolfstark's point. Those things don't feel like a distraction, but if you find yourself marveling at them, they have already overpowered the storytelling.
The cinematic quality is state of the art, and beautiful, in terms of art. But the story itself isn't making sense anymore.
At first, it was a minor nuisance. But it has grown to the point that we have to ignore the story and focus on the cinematography.
"I can see it. You have more of the north in you than your brothers."
I hear what you're saying, but I didn't find those things to be a distraction. For me they helped to pull me in. It is only on reflection that I can tell you how good they were and the main reason for that is that I was not distracted by them at all. I struggled to even post anything during the episode as I didn't want to miss anything. It's been a while since I felt that way.
It might not be the books, or have the depth of the books, but when has it ever? I try not to compare the two. They are entirely different. Needless to say, despite the Sansa weirdness, I was most definitely entertained.
I agree. And I'm not basing my 5 off comparison with the books. But I think you're misunderstanding whitewolfstark's point. Those things don't feel like a distraction, but if you find yourself marveling at them, they have already overpowered the storytelling.
The cinematic quality is state of the art, and beautiful, in terms of art. But the story itself isn't making sense anymore.
At first, it was a minor nuisance. But it has grown to the point that we have to ignore the story and focus on the cinematography.
Pretty much. Not to sound snobby, but I don't fault a professional costumer paying sole attention to the costumes in a production. They're trained for that after all, and in a good show usually have to watch a show many many times, the first simply to get a sense for the story & characters, before paying more attention to their specialty later. But if a layman or aficionado is doing that the first time through, something is wrong.
It's a good example of where spectacle overtakes the other aspects. If so, you've got Michael Bay or Roland Emerich production values, where the explosions or landmarks being destroyed matter more, and the plots and characters are paper thin or don't make sense.
A good example where spectacle and storytelling was a bit more balanced would be Titanic. The story might be a tad hackneyed, but at least it's strong enough to make sense, and proper time is devoted to it and the spectacle of the ship sinking, and the spectacle is made more impactful because we spent time getting to know the characters and their world before it's destroyed.
Visually, the battle was amazing. Most everything else bordered on insipid. Episode would have been greatly improved had Ramsey been filled with Wildling arrows as soon as they showed up in the courtyard. Because that's how you subvert a trope.
As soon as the cameras are off I am going to fuck that little dog.