Jason Momoa Braveheart Critique on Apple TV+

Momoa Airlines

From the first minutes. Furthermore, Chief of War imposes an epic breath in the presentation of its disproportionate decor. Therefore, Touring in natural sets in New Zealand (which offers more lenient shooting conditions than the Hawaii archipelago. For example, with unpredictable weather), the Hawaiian islands are simply sublime.

Justin Chon’s camera (to whom we owe the little wonder Blue Bayou) managed to pick something almost mystical in the staging of black sandy beaches. However, mountains with sharp peaks and in the teeming plains of life of these environments. In addition, The landscapes vibrate, The forests rustle, the ocean breathes. In addition, Never Hawaiian nature has seemed so alive. Furthermore, Filmed with an almost naturalist approach that contrasts with the usual flashy streaming productions. Moreover,

The camera lingers on the flowing rain, the dripping lava, the wind that folds the high herbs. Moreover, Each plan transpires the love of this territory, and the obsession with doing it justice. Similarly, Because in reality. However, if the series is called Chief of War, His true star is not the war chief, but indeed the Hawaii archipelago. Moreover,

Jason Momoa. In addition, Thomas Paʻa Sibbett, his scriptwriting accomplice, also pushed realism to the extreme, with craft costumes, tattoos respectful of Polynesian traditions and dialogues spoken in Olelo Hawai’i, A local language cousin of the Tahitian and the Maori. Meanwhile, We are not talking here about a simple “exotic” varnish. Therefore, but a total cultural immersion, supported by the work jason momoa braveheart critique apple of dozens of Polynesian advisers and specialists.

Where you feel that Chief of War is not just an entertainment but a political act, a historical reappropriation. Similarly, And this radicality is undoubtedly its greatest strength.

Game of Thrones in Hawaii

Although the brilliant star of the series is the archipelago, The heart of the story is Ka’iana’s journey (embodied by Jason Momoa), noble warrior and strategist, who, at the end of the 18th century, tried the impossible, namely to unify the four rival kingdoms (based on the islands of Oahu, Big Island, Maui, and Kauai) before the Europeans transform the archipelago into the field of exploitation and reduce the native peoples. jason momoa braveheart critique apple

Difficult to reveal more under penalty of happily spoiling the whole intrigue. but let’s say that Ka’iana’s journey is not the classic trajectory of the Campebellian hero. Neither anti-hero nor heroes short. Ka’iana is propelled in the foreground neither by choice, nor by envy, but only by necessity.

Inspired by real facts (slightly scortered. just enough to guarantee what is necessary to suspense typically Hollywood), the intrigue of Chief of War quickly takes on the appearance of a political tragedy, where the weight of traditions, religious manipulations, personal manipulations, personal ambitions and visceral fear of change. Women play a decisive role there. bringing not only counterpoints of power and intelligence too rare in this type of fresco, but also leading warrior roles in the last third of the series.

The plots are commonplace, fragile alliances and stab wound. In many ways. Chief of War Lorgne on the side of Game of Thrones or from The Last Kingdombut without fantastic or forced romanticism. And in terms of savagery, the Apple series holds dragee high at these two names. The unification of local populations is done in pain. both moral, with the necessary abandonment of certain traditions and physical, since it is in the blood that most of the discords between clans will resolve.

And this violence is expressed with raw brutality. The (many) fights are of rare intensity. Chief of War did not bet on endless clashes of Hollywood blockbusters. but on dry, realistic clashes, shipped in a few particularly brutal blows.

Each duel weighs its jason momoa braveheart critique apple weight of blood. and draw his inspiration from the traditional Hawaiian struggle, For original choreographies, with a real identity. The camera sticks to the bodies, captures the sweat and the pain of warriors, until the sound of their cracks. Notice to sensitive souls: The series does not hesitate to pay in the gore, and certain killings are extremely graphic. Special mention to episodes 8 and 9 which conclude the season, a visual and emotional apocalypse, enamelled with abominable deaths (a treat).

Jason momoa braveheart critique apple

Not the best chief of war

The project of a life for Momoa

Where you feel that Chief of War is much more than a series jason momoa braveheart critique apple for Jason Momoa: It is a declaration of love in Hawaii, a cultural reconquest, a cry against historical erasure. By assuming the language. traditions and brutality of the time, the series is positioned as a strong political gesture, while keeping the strength of a great epic story. A risky bet in the landscape of series, almost completely successful.

Because we didn’t expect it on this ground, Jason. Momoa. hitherto associated with muscular blockbusters, is reinvented in a more nuanced role, a thousand leagues from the superhero poses (a bit like in the series Seealready for Apple TV+). And paradoxically, this is where the rub, because Ka’iana deserved an actor capable of more emotional variations.

The actor gives everything. it is undoubtedly his best role to this day, but his palette remains limited to a dark look, a jaw tense and … that’s it. In a fresco where each silence counts, this lack jason momoa braveheart critique apple of subtlety weighs.

It is all the more unfortunate that the rest of the cast of Chief of War is impeccable. Temuera Morrison imposes a quiet authority in the role of Kahekili. Luciane Buchanan embodies a charismatic and dreadingly fine kaʻumanu. But it is especially Kaina Makua who bursts the screen as Kamehameha I, giving off an almost magnetic power.

Momoa’s game is therefore the only real black point. and we will try to override, to take advantage of a work which, for the rest, does not back down to nothing and fully assumes its violence, its political complexity, and its spiritual dimension (which permeates the series from end). We get out of Chief jason momoa braveheart critique apple of War With the impression of having attended Something authentic. immense, and let us dare to say it, quite unprecedented in the field of streaming. And just for that, the series deserves that we immerse ourselves in body and soul.

The first two episodes of season 1 of Chief of War have been available on Apple TV+ since August 1, 2025. A new episode will be broadcast every Friday until September 19