(may contain spoilers)
Douban rating: 7.1
Director: Justin Chon, Brian Andrew Mendoza, Anders Engström, Jason Momoa
Starring: Jason Momoa, Luciane Buchanan, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Te Kohe Tuhaka, Brandon Finn
Douban Comments: “At a time when the U.S. government denies the role of other languages in its colonial history, Indigenous stories in popular culture feel more necessary than ever. What’s even more interesting is that the show doesn’t make the unifying figure Kamehameha its main character. Instead, it focuses on a Hawaiian leader with a multicultural background, filmed strictly according to local traditions. The cinematography is on par with See, sometimes it even feels like watching an island version of See.”
“This is a film written, directed, and performed by Jason Momoa himself. The story feels a bit thin, but it’s clear a lot of effort went into the sets and historical research. The scenery is stunning, and the props are crafted with great care. Jason Momoa’s specialty, fight scenes, gets saved for the finale, and it’s very satisfying. The clash between Western and Indigenous civilizations is another highlight. The way Western culture reshaped the world is fully shown here. Whether to actively adapt or to stick to tradition, people already have their own answers, and history has given its verdict.”
“As you watch, it slowly draws you in, like opening a new, unfamiliar epic. While the other side of the world was entering the Industrial Revolution, Hawaii was still locked in raw hand-to-hand combat. Jason Momoa appears again like a towering figure: once Aquaman, now the ‘Island warrior’.”
“Three and a half stars. The story is about the survival and power struggles of indigenous people in a primitive land. At first, it feels fresh. The screen is full of rugged, powerful men with a kind of wild charm. But since the setting is so far removed from real life, it’s hard to connect with. A good story needs elements that feel both strange and familiar. When the audience sees something familiar, they relate to it; when they see something different, they feel excited and curious.”
“I’ve watched three episodes, and the story is getting more and more interesting. Later I found out that it’s actually based on historical facts. There really was a Hawaiian who traveled the world, then came back with guns to help with unification. This perspective reminded me of Chinese historical dramas. Also, the first few episodes being entirely in Hawaiian gave it a strong sense of authenticity.”
“From a pure entertainment point of view, this show feels a bit plain, slow, and even a little boring at times. But what makes it stand out is that, as a historical drama, it introduces us to a kingdom that most people probably never knew existed — the Hawaiian Kingdom. In fact, dramas about Hawaii are even rarer than those about the Mayan civilization. I don’t think many viewers even know Hawaii once had its own monarchy. For me, this show was more of an eye-opener than anything else.
Of course, Hawaiian civilization was relatively underdeveloped. It was more of a tribal society. The costumes and props in the show are quite good, though. The chief’s helmet, for example, oddly resembles those of ancient Greece. But it wasn’t really for protection, more for status and intimidation. The battles shown are primitive as well, with clubs and weapons decorated with animal teeth for close combat, and spears and stones used for long-range attacks.
All in all, this show gives us a fresh perspective. It deepens our understanding of different societies, civilizations, and histories across the world. That’s why I’m really looking forward to the second season.”
