Carl Roberts 
Discover the epic tale of The Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The Rohirrim. Get ready for an action-packed adventure in Middle-earth.
The Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The Rohirrim is an anime fantasy film directed by Kenji Kamiyama from a screenplay by Jeffrey Addiss & Will Matthews and Phoebe Gittins & Arty Papageorgiou, based on characters created by J. R. R. Tolkien. Featuring the voices of Brian Cox, Gaia Wise, Luke Pasqualino, and Miranda Otto, the film is set 183 years before the events of the Peter Jackson trilogy. Jackson and his film trilogy co-writer Fran Walsh are credited on the film as Executive Producers. Adding to the film fitting into the world is Miranda Otto as Éowyn, a future shieldmaiden of Rohan who narrates the film, reprising her role from The Two Towers and The Return Of The King. The question is, can the film replicate the epicness and enjoyment of the live-action movies or should it have been banished from Middle Earth?
PREMISE
183 years before the events chronicled in the original trilogy. A sudden attack by Wulf, a clever and ruthless Dunlending lord seeking vengeance for the death of his father, forces Helm Hammerhand and his people to make a daring last stand in the ancient stronghold of the Hornburg. Finding herself in an increasingly desperate situation, Héra, the daughter of Helm, must summon the will to lead the resistance against a deadly enemy intent on their total destruction.
THOUGHTS
The film does contain some brilliant visual flair, and some great characters and the animation stands out. But anyone going in expecting an epic prequel to the movies is in for a disappointment. Despite everything it has going for it, which is a lot, the film feels overlong, and drawn out. It is sad to say, it is a bit of a slog to get through. However, with the knowledge of what is to come. Events we have seen on the screen already, the film pays tribute to them while forging its own path. The score by Stephen Gallagher does the right thing by incorporating Howard Shore’s themes throughout and it fits in well with Rings lore. The story it tells is like a side film, one that has its own path while also slotting into the wider franchise.
A DIFFERENT QUALITY
Fans will enjoy the film for what it is, a unique and different take on the material. The budget ($ 30 million) allows for some brilliant sequences that you certainly wouldn’t see in live-action, they’d cost too much to CGI. This gives the film a different kind of quality against its big-budget live-action cousins. But make no mistake, it still looks and feels like a Lord Of The Rings movie, just different. Some moments near the end will have the fans punching the air in delight. These final surprises bring a smile to the faces of fans worldwide, opening a door towards the opening of The Fellowship Of The Ring. They also open a door to further anime movies, if they decide to go ahead with them.
CHARACTERS
Brian Cox as Helm Hammerhand, the hot-tempered king of Rohan who attempts to protect his people voices his character to perfection. All gruff, loud and powerful, Cox suits the character of Helm down to the ground throughout. Even in his quieter moments, we expect that at any time he can explode into action or violence. The character feels akin to Bernard Hill’s Théoden from the opening trilogy in many ways. Helm is a fascinating character, one who we would like to see more of in his younger days if any further anime movies are greenlit. Incidentally, Bernard Hill is honoured in the end credits after his sad passing earlier this year.
Gaia Wise as Héra, the tomboy-ish daughter of Helm who helps defend their people is the main focus of the film. We think she’s all sweetness and light when we first meet her. Wrong! Héra is as tough as they come, someone who can not only hold her own but has a strength that is underestimated until it is forced to come to the fore. Gaia Wise voices the character brilliantly, delivering her dialogue in a way that highlights the strength of the character throughout.
LUKE PASQUALINO
Luke Pasqualino as Wulf, the ruthless leader of the Dunlendings also gives a superb vocal performance. He is mean, moody, and threatening every time he appears on screen. With his mind clouded with thoughts and a bloodthirsty desire for revenge, Wulf is the perfect villainous foil for Héra, his former friend and would-be fiancee. After the accidental death of his father at the hands of Helm, Wulf is consumed by his need for brutal and long-planned revenge. Not only against Helm but the whole town of Edoras. Added to that, the rejection of his marriage proposal to Héra. And the desire to avenge himself on her for a childhood accident that scarred his face. All these add up to making Wulf the villain the film needs.
DIRECTION
The direction from Kenji Kamiyama is assured. The legendary Japanese director knows exactly how to handle proceedings, with his track record of brilliant anime pieces defining the vision the film has. Alongside Shinji Aramaki, Kamiyama made the superb Blade Runner: Black Lotus, making him the perfect choice to direct an anime Lord Of The Rings film. At every turn, Kamiyama’s skill, vision and quality shine through, giving the film a polished and effective visual tone. No shot is wasted throughout, everything the director wants to show is up there on the screen.
The violence that would push a live-action film into a more restrictive, adult rating is here but actually fits a PG-13 rating. By not showing too much blood and by confining what we see within the anime, Kamiyama has produced something that will live long in the memory. If only the writing didn’t drag out what the film contains. At 134 minutes, the film does tend to crawl at times, becoming slow and laboured. This isn’t Kamiyama’s fault. No blame can be attributed to the director, who does his job brilliantly here.
CONCLUSION
The Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The Rohirrim, as I’ve said, fits in brilliantly alongside the live-action movies. It does exactly what it needs to. It tells a backstory that we’ve only heard about before. By taking J.R.R Tolkien’s story from his novels, the film is a visual feast, taking us back to a time before the events of the original trilogy and even The Hobbit movies. It is a wonder to behold, that is for certain. But by dragging the material out, the film suffers from becoming a slog at times. While it has enough to hold the interest, it also suffers from audience fatigue. Some of those watching the film will start to want to get to the climax while others will be transfixed. Fans of Tolkien’s work will lap it up while others will be pleased when it’s all over.
A SIGHT TO BEHOLD
Don’t get me wrong. The film isn’t bad or even average. It is a sight to behold, a film to experience on the biggest screen you can get into. The visuals, characterisation and sound are superb. The direction is masterful, assured and stunning. It is just a case of the material dragging at times that holds the film back. It becomes a case of the film being good rather than brilliant. However, if another anime Lord Of The Rings film is made for theatrical release, I’ll be first in line to see it. The movie deserves that much. For all its faults, the film deserves to be seen and enjoyed. Hope has yet to abandon these lands. Hope doesn’t abandon the film either. Recommended.
The Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The Rohirrim is in cinemas from Friday. Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
