Reviews

Sword Art Online had a lot of potential with it's premise, don't get me wrong, but it infuriates me how much of that potential was squandered. The first few episodes of full of promise and excitement and show off a fascinating world full of high stakes and incredible challenges. However, this does not last, as the rest of the first half of SAO simply drags on, with hardly any focus on the original goal in the show.
The filler-ish episodes, AKA the majority of the first half of the series isn't a complete waste, however. The world SAO takes place in is a pleasant world to explore. I say if you want to watch this show, watch it for its world building along with its art and music, as those three aspects are the best SAO has to offer.
The characters are bland and dull. Kirito is your standard super-cool hero with little substance to him, Asuna's just another tsundere, and the rest of the cast are simply tired archetypes that bring nothing new to the table.
Now, most of what I have been saying until now applied to the first half of the show only. The second half of SAO changes things up in a way that sucks all the stakes and fun from the show. DOn't watch it.
I apologize if I sound too harsh on this show. Sword Art Online's fist half IS a good anime to watch when you want to see something cool and fun, but by the second half it becomes dull and tedious and a little bit gross. Overall, watch the first half with friends and some popcorn, pretend the second doesn't exist.