Critic’s Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Director: Kenji Kamiyama
Cast: Brian Cox, Gaia Wise, Luke Pasqualino, Miranda Otto
Plot
The War of the Rohirrim Review, The War of the Rohirrim focuses on Helm Hammerhand, the King of Rohan, and his daughter, Hera. The story unfolds as Freca, a Dunlending lord, seeks to marry his son Wulf to Hera. When Helm kills Freca in a heated moment, Wulf vows revenge, leading to a siege on Rohan and a battle for survival. Hera, defying expectations, rises as the hero of this tale, embodying resilience and determination.
What Works
The animation is the film’s crowning achievement. Director Kenji Kamiyama employs a painterly anime style, blending hand-drawn techniques with cinematic visuals to vividly portray the landscapes of Rohan and its battlefields. The chaotic energy of war is captured with visceral intensity, and the film’s visual artistry stands as a testament to the possibilities of animated storytelling.
Brian Cox delivers a commanding voice performance as Helm Hammerhand, and Miranda Otto’s nostalgic narration as Éowyn adds gravitas. Gaia Wise, voicing Hera, brings energy to the character, though the anime-style depiction of Hera contrasts sharply with the European aesthetic of the other characters.
What Doesn’t Work
Despite its visual brilliance, the film falters in its storytelling. The narrative lacks depth, unfolding predictably and offering limited character development. Hera’s transformation into a hero feels rushed, and the central conflict, driven by Wulf’s revenge, fails to deliver surprises or emotional impact.
The absence of iconic Middle-earth races like elves and dwarves diminishes the magic and variety that define Tolkien’s world. The decision to present the story in animated form, rather than live action, disconnects the tale from the cinematic legacy of The Lord of the Rings. While the voice performances are solid, they cannot compensate for the narrative’s shortcomings.
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Final Verdict
The War of the Rohirrim dazzles with its animation but stumbles in delivering the emotional depth and narrative complexity that fans of Tolkien’s world have come to expect. While it offers a visually rich experience and an ambitious take on Rohan’s history, its lack of iconic Middle-earth elements and underwhelming character arcs make it feel like an unnecessary addition to the franchise.
For fans of animation and Tolkien’s lore, this film is worth a watch for its artistry, but it ultimately leaves viewers longing for the epic storytelling that defines Middle-earth.
