‘Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim’ Lands Divisive Rotten Tomatoes Score

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As a film enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in Tolkien’s Middle-earth, I must say that “Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim” is a visually stunning spectacle that unfortunately falls short of the epic tales we have grown to love. The animation is breathtakingly beautiful and the voice acting, particularly by Brian Cox as Helm Hammerhand, is top-notch. However, the film seems to be suffering from a lack of substance, with the storyline struggling to sustain a feature-length runtime.

In a unique twist, an animated film titled “The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim” has been created from just one appendix of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” novels. However, there are concerns whether this narrative could maintain a full-length movie’s depth. Directed by Kenji Kamiyama, known for “Eden of the East“, the film unfolds 180 years prior to “The Fellowship of the Ring“, focusing on Helm Hammerhand (Brian Cox) and his daughter Hera (Gaia Wise). The movie is set to hit theaters on December 13, with early reviews already available. Unfortunately, it may not live up to the epic, award-winning standard fans have come to expect.

The animated film “Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim” currently holds a rating of 65% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 34 reviews. Although most critics appreciate it, some noticeable flaws can be found in its comeback to the silver screen. However, one of the most favorable reviews comes from Ryan Britt of Inverse, who praises its meticulous craftsmanship, stating that it offers a captivating stand-alone Middle-earth adventure, which is delightful in its straightforwardness and elegance. Tolkien enthusiasts might not have been eagerly anticipating this film, but they will surely enjoy it now that it’s been released. Similarly, Fred Topel of United Press International expresses high regard for the movie, commending it in his review.

The animated film based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s saga is a worthy addition, addressing certain shortcomings found in his original works. It significantly outshines the live-action adaptations of The Hobbit.

In spite of criticisms about the film, “War of the Rohirrim” stands out for its visually breathtaking scenes, as most reviews commend its stunning animation. MovieWeb’s Julian Roman stated, “The superb animation, rousing score, and character development that shines in this story overcomes the typical pacing issues within the franchise.” Alexander Harrison of Screen Rant expressed a desire for more anime-style entries in the “Lord of the Rings” series, writing:

To reenter J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth as depicted by Peter Jackson, I believe that The War of the Rohirrim could provide a fantastic opportunity for my return.

‘Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim’ Sadly Lacks Substance

Although boasting stunning animation and an impressive ensemble cast, War of the Rohirrim falls short of being a flawless film. Both favorable critiques and casual viewers have acknowledged issues with the movie’s pace and narrative coherence. Fans often bristle when adaptations deviate from the original work, but what happens when the source material is merely a few brief sentences? As Zach Pope, a critic, puts it, “A technical and visually stunning masterpiece… from the expansive landscapes to the exceptional sound design… unfortunately, the story fails to hold my attention.

The most scathing review comes from William Bibbiani of The Wrap. They compared War of the Rohirrim to past animated Lord of the Rings adaptations, with a worrying outcome. “The fourth best animated Lord of the Rings feature, which sounds pretty good until you remember there are only four of them,” they wrote. Although that might be topped by David Ehrlich of Indie Wire, who tore the film to shreds, writing:

[The story] turns out to be just as dull as its title suggests, though it is visually unpleasant to behold.

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2024-12-10 17:38