The War Of The Rohirrim, the new anime film from The Lord Of The Rings universe, is out this week and the critics are divided.
The movie from New Line and Warner Bros. Pictures is set 183 years before the events of Peter Jackson’s live-action trilogy (2001-2003) and is based on the books of J.R.R. Tolkien.
Starring Succession‘s Brian Cox, Gaia Wise (A Walk in the Woods), Luke Pasqualino (Snowpiercer), LOTR franchise veteran Miranda Otto and more, the film is released in cinemas on Friday (December 13).
The film “tells the fate of the House of Helm Hammerhand, the legendary King of Rohan. A sudden attack by Wulf (Pasqualino), a clever and ruthless Dunlending lord seeking vengeance for the death of his father, forces Helm (Cox) and his people to make a daring last stand in the ancient stronghold of the Hornburg – a mighty fortress that will later come to be known as Helm’s Deep.”
With the release now imminent, the reviews are out and they are a mixed bag, with some critics praising the film’s artistic ambition, but finding fault in its storytelling.
IGN gave the film a 6 out of 10 score and noted the movie is “a fascinating idea with a lacklustre execution, more interesting as a concept than an actual retelling of one of Middle Earth’s famous legends.”
Empire gives a similar view, saying “it never scrapes the heights of Jackson’s trilogy – few do – but amid a messy meeting of worlds, there are stirring moments. Total Film concur: “What could have been an exciting experiment in telling a new tale in a beloved universe in a very different way feels heavily compromised,” they write.
More positive are The Hollywood Reporter, whose review states: “The battle sequences in particular are stunningly rendered, and will certainly benefit from being viewed on the largest possible premium and large-format screens.”
Screen Rant note that “it’s a strong, engaging story that showcases some striking animation, and if I am to return to the wider world of Peter Jackson’s Middle Earth, this seems to me an ideal way to go about it.”
Perhaps the range of opinions is best summarised by Variety’s review, which states: “It may please 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.”
Elsewhere, another Lord Of The Rings spinoff, The Hunt For Gollum, is also in the works, to be directed by Gollum himself Andy Serkis. Screenwriter Philippa Boyens confirmed earlier this year that despite rumours, the film will not be split into two parts, although a second live-action film is reportedly also in the works.
The post ‘The Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The Rohirrim’ divides critics: “Fascinating but lacklustre” appeared first on NME.
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