The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim offers a visually stunning return to Middle-earth, albeit one that lacks the narrative depth to truly stand alongside its predecessors. While the animation, sound design, and overall production values are undeniably impressive, the story feels thin, leaving the film more reminiscent of a side quest than a core chapter in the saga.
Set 183 years before the events of the original trilogy, the film explores the fate of the House of Helm Hammerhand. The plot centers on Helm (voiced by Brian Cox), the King of Rohan, who faces an attack from Wulf (voiced by Luke Pasqualino), a banished Dunlending lord seeking revenge for his father’s death. Forced to retreat to the ancient stronghold of the Hornburg, Helm and his people prepare for a desperate last stand. Amidst the chaos, Héra (voiced by Gaia Wise), Helm’s determined daughter, steps forward as a reluctant leader, rallying the resistance against overwhelming odds.
The film’s anime-inspired visual style is both its most daring and polarizing choice. While the initial transition to this medium may feel jarring for some fans, the sheer artistry on display ultimately draws the viewer into its reimagined Middle-earth. The dynamic animation lends itself particularly well to the action sequences, which are nothing short of breathtaking. From sweeping battle scenes to quiet moments of tension, the visual direction captures the grandeur and intensity expected of Tolkien’s world. The voice cast delivers strong performances, with Brian Cox standing out as the stoic, unstoppable, yet tragic Helm. Gaia Wise brings depth to Héra, a character who grows into her role as a leader. These performances, paired with a stirring score, enrich the film’s emotional core, even when the narrative falters.
However, the story itself proves to be the film’s Achilles’ heel. While the premise is compelling, the execution feels overly simplistic and lacking in the weight that defined the original trilogy. The conflict, while engaging on a surface level, comes across as inconsequential in the grander context of Middle-earth’s history. Certain moments, such as Helm’s climactic scene, verge on the melodramatic, stretching the suspension of disbelief even within a fantasy framework. In the end, The War of the Rohirrim is a mixed bag. It succeeds in delivering a visually arresting experience and a welcome return to a beloved world, but it struggles to justify its narrative significance. While fans of Middle-earth will likely enjoy this detour, it feels more like an ambitious bonus feature than a fully realized standalone story.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of Rohirrim Review: Fun but Inconsequential Material
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