As a lifelong fan of J.R.R Tolkien’s Middle Earth, I must confess that my excitement for “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” was tempered by the less-than-stellar adaptation of “The Hobbit.” However, after watching this film, I have to say that it has managed to buck the trend set by its predecessor and carve out a unique place for itself in the expansive Tolkien lore.
“The War of the Rohirrim: Lord of the Rings Animated Film
Although receiving mixed opinions from critics, “The War of the Rohirrim” has been praised for accomplishing something that the renowned Peter Jackson couldn’t with “The Hobbit”: creating a standalone tale that functions well on its own without being closely tied to the main “Lord of the Rings” lore. Whilst both productions draw motivation from J.R.R. Tolkien’s esteemed work, the animated prequel presents a self-sufficient story that can be enjoyed fully without delving deep into the extensive historical mythology.
What Is The Lord of the Rings: The War for the Rohirrim About?
In “The War of the Rohirrim,” set 183 years prior to “The Two Towers” from “The Lord of the Rings,” the narrative unfolds as a prequel, focusing on an intense struggle for control over the kingdom of Rohan. King Helm Hammerhand (Cox) rules, but his reign is threatened by a group of wild plainsmen known as Dunlendings. Unlike in the tales of a malevolent sorcerer, these Dunlendings are led by Wulf (Luke Pasqualino), a human driven by vengeance for his slain father, Freca (Shaun Dooley). As the Dunlendings push Helm back to Hornburg, the fate of Rohan lies in the hands of Helm’s rebellious daughter, Hera (Wise). To safeguard Rohan, Hera seeks help from her cousin Frealaf (Laurence Ubong Williams), who must make amends for past cowardice and demonstrate his bravery to Helm.
The movie concludes with Hera encountering Gandalf for the first time, even though it initially functions as an origin story. Notably, Miranda Otto, who is well-known for her role as Eowyn in Peter Jackson’s groundbreaking Lord of the Rings film series, serves as the narrator. This narrative structure only loosely connects to the original trilogy, making it a self-contained story that can be appreciated without needing to understand the broader LotR mythology for enjoyment.
Critics Aren’t Loving ‘The War of the Rohirrim’
As a cinephile, I must admit that while The War of the Rohirrim boasts a 54 Metascore and 49% Rotten Tomatoes rating, it’s not without its share of divided opinions. Critics seem to be evenly split, and some have voiced concerns about the film’s apparent lack of epic grandeur compared to its live-action counterparts. The premise is promising, but some feel that the execution leaves much to be desired, leading to a production that feels somewhat half-baked. Moreover, there are whispers that the creators are stretching the franchise thin in an attempt to milk it for all it’s worth. As Variety’s 6/10 review puts it, “It may appease the faithful, but it’s not quite epic enough to give less devoted viewers the same thrill they once felt from the live-action movies.
IndieWire’s 4.2/10 review underscores how the story runs out of steam, stating:
Although it tries to create something new out of the monotonous routine of watching a movie franchise get overused by Hollywood, it doesn’t quite achieve its aim and ends up being less than exceptional.
Collider’s 6/10 review agrees with the storytelling problems, adding:
Instead of a grand comeback to Middle-earth that many Lord of the Rings enthusiasts might have anticipated, the storytelling struggles of “War of the Rohirrim” could suggest it isn’t the epic they hoped for. However, this doesn’t mean the movie lacks value altogether.
The merits critics have defended include bucking the overriding LotR mythology to tell an amusing standalone story.
How ‘The War of the Rohirrim’ Succeeds Where ‘The Hobbit’ Fails
Choosing “The War of the Rohirrim,” a narrative set 183 years prior to “The Two Towers,” offers ample opportunities for an independent expansion of its own storyline distinct from the larger Lord of the Rings mythos. Since it’s rooted in Tolkien’s characters rather than a specific novel or tale, the writers enjoy extensive creative liberty to weave Hera’s captivating standalone narrative. SlashFilm’s 6/10 review acknowledges this freedom, pointing out that it allows for a unique storytelling experience.
Since there isn’t a complete trilogy available, the prequel delves into an obscure Tolkien tale found in the appendices instead… Although The War of the Rohirrim aspires to match the greatness of the original films, it truly stands out when it manages to disregard its status as a franchise movie altogether.
Unlike “The Hobbit,” which was required to accurately reflect Tolkien’s original novel and align with the broader “LotR” mythology, “The War of the Rohirrim” is not constrained by such obligations. By adapting a lesser-known chapter from “The Two Towers” appendix, the creators have been given greater creative freedom to narrate Hera’s story as they deem appropriate. Consequently, this adaptation stands independently and offers fans an engaging standalone experience, with less reliance on the events of the “LotR” universe.
As IGN’s 6/10 review argues:
The War of the Rohirrim in The Lord of the Rings series offers a compelling concept, but its presentation falls short. It’s intriguing conceptually, but not quite as engaging when it comes to retelling one of Middle-earth’s renowned tales.
In this new film, “The Lord of the Rings: The War for the Rohirrim,” the writers have chosen to expand upon J.R.R. Tolkien’s original storyline by incorporating contemporary social issues, such as racial tension between the Rohan warriors and the Dunlendings that echo modern-day discrimination. While Eowyn’s enchanting narration helps maintain a connection to the mythology of the original “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, the movie could be seen as more of a standalone production if not for her presence. “The Lord of the Rings: The War for the Rohirrim” is now playing in select cinemas.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-12-22 04:32