Game of Thrones, Conan the Barbarian, and his outings as DC superhero Aquaman proved that Jason Momoa is an intensely intimidating presence. Yet his dynamic comedic work in A Minecraft Movie also underlined that he’s capable of playing more than just menacing brutes—which makes his turn in Apple TV+’s historical drama Chief of War so underwhelming.

In the excellent "Chief of War," Jason Momoa leads a sparkling cast in a gorgeous setting: Hawaii at the turn of the 19th century.

In an era where film and television become increasingly visually dull each year, “Chief of War” stands out among the colorless projects that dominate our cultural landscape. A feat of spectacle and rich character work,