The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, a new anime film set 200 years before The Fellowship of the Ring, delves into the history of Rohan, a kingdom familiar to Tolkien fans. Based on appendices from Tolkien’s original trilogy, the film explores a pivotal battle and expands the franchise’s multimedia reach. While seemingly a solution to Warner Bros.’ narrative limitations, the film, directed by Kenji Kamiyama, falls short of expectations. Although featuring stunning animation and a strong female lead, Hera (voiced by Gaia Wise), the film lacks the magic and grandeur of Peter Jackson’s live-action adaptations. The storyline, focusing on Hera’s defiance of a neighboring lord and the ensuing war, provides a unique perspective on a well-known conflict among Tolkien enthusiasts. The movie’s attempt to connect with the original trilogy through parallels between Hera and Eowyn (narrated by Miranda Otto) is its most effective element. However, other attempts to create crossover moments, such as encounters with Orcs and name-drops, feel less successful. While the film fleshes out Hera, making her a compelling character, other characters like Freca and Wulf remain underdeveloped. Brian Cox’s commanding voice as Helm Hammerhand adds depth to the character, despite the screenplay’s shortcomings. Kamiyama’s direction, while technically proficient, fails to capture the unique atmosphere of Jackson’s Middle-earth. The film adopts a similar visual style, but lacks the lived-in quality and cinematic magic of the live-action predecessors. The War of the Rohirrim feels like a visually impressive animated version of a story already told, rather than a unique cinematic experience. The film’s rigid structure and pacing prevent it from exploring the full potential of its animated medium, hindering its ability to create a truly memorable experience. Although meticulously detailed and faithful to the source material, The War of the Rohirrim is unlikely to resonate with audiences beyond dedicated Lord of the Rings fans. The film’s lack of originality and failure to evoke the same sense of wonder as Tolkien’s original work and Jackson’s adaptations ultimately leave it feeling underwhelming. While a respectable effort for franchise expansion, it ultimately falls short of creating a truly magical and immersive experience.
Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim Review – A Visually Stunning but Ultimately Unremarkable Anime Film
