Sometimes things can be very simple. Because they may be, or because we like them to be. It’s easy, convenient, and direct.
Broadly speaking, you could say that ‘The Great Warrior’ is a cross between ‘See’ and ‘Shogun’ , only with Hawaiians instead of Japanese (and with most of the dialogue in Hawaiian instead of Japanese). An easy, convenient, and direct association. Because maybe it is. Or because we like that they can be. After all, its protagonist is the same as the one in ‘See’ , a Jason Momoa who is easily seen as “that great warrior” he usually plays.
Jason Momoa also serves as creator, screenwriter, and even director of ‘The Great Warrior’ , a tailor-made production that stands out for its respect for Hawaiian culture and the authenticity of its setting, not so much for the narrative and/or psychological depth of a story more focused on action than on characterization. This was already partly the case in the aforementioned ‘See’ , a sort of ‘The Walking Dead’ with blind people instead of zombies.
Another very good-looking Apple series, but one that “The Great Warrior” nevertheless loses out in the comparison; as does, for that matter, “Shogun,” which falls short of the former’s effervescent force and the latter’s solemn charm. Overall, “The Great Warrior” feels like a modest, restrained, and sober series that doesn’t quite make a strong case for itself.
Sometimes things can be very simple. They may be, or we may like that they can be. And the Hawaiian equivalent of “Shogun,” starring Jason Momoa, may well be a series conveniently packaged for the platform and audience it’s aimed at. This, in itself, isn’t a problem, as this is the essence of any production: adapting to its own reality and its possibilities.
The problem, in short, is that ‘The Great Warrior’ doesn’t transcend the image we may have or form of it. Broadly speaking, you could say it’s a cross between ‘See’ and ‘Shogun’ , only with Hawaiians instead of Japanese, and be perfectly content. That doesn’t mean it’s not a solid and effective series in short, one that grabs and holds our attention at all times… if only because of the “obligation” of having to read subtitles.
But being such a personal project for Jason Momoa, one might expect a series of epic quality, emotionality, and depth that would be more unbridled and heartfelt, less timid and volatile. A series that, despite its liturgical authenticity, in short, feels self-conscious and lacking in courage. As if it had too much respect for what people would say; as if it were afraid to step forward and challenge convention. And with it, itself, too.
