The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim – Movie Reviews by Ry!

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim – A Land of Hero’s and Tales: We Ride for Rohan

With film, what makes the journey great is a matter of awe, creativity and spectacle.  The feeling of falling into different worlds brings about splendor of another level.  No matter the genre, seeing things come alive is a precious thing.  For film, it is important … but for animation … it becomes truly a gratifying experience.  In this review, I look at an animated return to a fame IP.  Within the aspect of swords and fantasy, we experience familiarity within colorful intrigue.  Diving into new lore, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is a fun return to the fantastical world of Middle Earth. 

In stories of myths and legends, we dive into the tale of family and revenge.  When tragedy strikes, we witness the strength of people … what it means to be warriors of Rohan.  Escaping into another world becomes a manner of interest and intrigue.  On the one hand, you must find ways to grip the audience within an ideal situation of worth.  On the other, once the people are there … what is the reason for the escape.  In this case, it becomes a reason … why return to Middle Earth?  When it comes to Tolkien’s lore, it is precious to many fans of his works.  There are rich stories to tell but, it becomes a manner of what to tell.  With this new foray into this world, it becomes a mixture of conceptual motives and interesting expansion of the lore.  We come into this film through voice over narration, providing a connection to the original trilogy.  Taking place hundreds of years before ‘Bilbo finds the ring’, we focus on a smaller tale in the realm of Rohan.  Specifically, this story centers around the daughter of Helm Hammerhand (Voice: Brian Cox) Hera (voiced: Gaia Wise).  We learn of certain factional strife in the realm, one that drives a first act of prideful conflict and unexpected tragedy.  These events lead into the main plot/second act of the story: The Dunlending Prince, Wulf (voice: Luca Pasqualino), enraged by the death of his father, decides (after four years) to lead an all-out assault against Rohan, and the royal family (which includes Helm and Hera).  From here, we lead through a linear path of heroics and revenge within familiar concepts and intriguing world-building.  As you maneuver through the aspect of fantasy, what grips you through the simple directive is the aspect of characters and purpose.  On one side, you have an unexpected heroine in Hera, one that is trying to find reason within blind conflict.  On the other hand, you have a vengeful son, one that strays away from human decency for the sake of destruction.  The contrast of motive leads to personal strife, built through an emotional fortitude that brings layers of personality to the colorful animation.  As destruction and conversation drive the dynamic of individuals, it creates a deepening of lore while also providing that true escape of fantasy. 

As Wulf continues to destroy villages across the open plains, Hera (and her father) face certain tragedies that strike close to home.  Through the ‘chess piece’ like movement of power, we move through scenes of harden drama and visceral action, a grounded appeal of the unexpected turns (in the narrative).  As Wulf pushes those loyal into a corner (specifically a retreat to the Hornburg), the story weaves between character triumphs/tragedies, Tolkien Easter Eggs and convenient plot armor elements.  As the genuine experience starts to wane, what keeps you gripped on the journey is Hera’s heroics.  With everything starting to come to head, this leads into a third act of dramatic conflict and creative action sequences.  With nothing except for both characters to face the truth, we head into a full circle climax and a narrative like epilogue.  The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is another fun escape into fantasy based on Tolkien’s Middle Earth.  If you are a fan of Tolkien, fantasy or animated tales, this is one for you.  I say there is enough here for a fun time at the theaters.   

Full Score – 3.5 out of 5 (Matinee)