I finally watched The War of the Rohirrim
Note: I have not read the original story this was based on. I did not watch any trailers or read any reviews and have only read few stray comments here and there on this sub.
I have watched the last showing of the War of the Rohirrim in our cinema today. I am glad I did and I had fun. But, I would also say that you do not have to and you can watch it when its on streaming or VOD.
Animation:
I hate and love the animation. I hate the moving parts - the walking, the gestures, the awkward pauses in between, the walking. Fuck man, the walking lol It reminds me of Bakshi's animated LoTR. It feels awkwardly rotoscoped at times. But the fighting choreography more than makes up for it (and I wish there was more of it.)
The background, tho. Holy hell, the backgrounds! The greenery reminds me of Ghibli films, like Howl's Moving Castle and Princess Mononoke. The close-up of settings and inamated objects reminds me of the old Disney animations, like Sleeping Beauty and Snow White. It's very beautiful, very vivid and full of depth, and the style is very painterly.
Story:
I have read a comment on here that the War of the Rohirrim was told in third person contrary to the film that gave focus on a main lead. And I wish the story was told in the third person perspective, instead. Like in the original trilogy, we are a spectator on the different adventures of different people and I think that helps in pulling us in their experiences and growth.
In this film, the most of the focus was on the main character Hera. In my opinion, it kinda detracts from the whole story because they did nothing with her character or did something interesting on how the story was told through her. The scene with her outsmarting the oliphaunt though, was very badass.
Like, there's something interesting happening in different places but the 'camera' was on her. I can't help but compare it with The Hunger Games. The Hunger Games trilogy books was written in first POV and it was translated beautifully in the first film because we also only see and know what the main character see and know. It kinda makes us feel that we are the character.
But, in this film I feel like a voyeur instead. Also, Hera remained more or less the same from beginning til end. They've done Eowyn's story and growth so well, couldn't Hera...like please, she's got so much potential 😭 I'm rambling, moving on.
Plot:
Where war? The title is the War of the Rohirrim so I assume it will focus on, you know, war. But there's so little of it?? There was fights, yes but so little of war especially the end. Hell, I wouldn't have minded if the first part was strategizing and the first assault, then planning the logistics of winter warfare on the second part and the actual war on the third act.
Voice Acting:
Topnotch, superb, amazing. The voices are very natural and fit each character so well. If these are professional VAs, I'm glad they went that route (and also gave VAs work.) If these were actors, they were chosen well. The voices of marching people is also very good, comparable to the og movies.
Music:
The music, as always, is amazing. It gave life to the film and heightened the scenes. The One Ring theme was also used which was very exciting.
Animation:
I do not mind that the film was anime (I am a weeb, relapsedl) but god, it feels so rushed that it took me out of the film a few times. It's painful at times, especially the pauses. If they were doing Miyazaki's 'silence' or 'pauses,' it did not work, it was just awkward.
It would have flourished as a live action film, I think, if it was given to actresses and actors who can portray anything through their eyes without saying anything. I think, that was they were trying to do with some of the awkward paused and stares. Though, if they just tightened up the animation just a bit- this film would be so amazing.
The camera tracking is also good. Mostly.
Character Design:
It really is an anime because the main character is wearing tights over a short, tight dress and thigh high boots. Please, let my girl wear some armor and sensible boots 🥲
Favorite Part:
Old man strength, for the win. I really enjoyed King Helm Hammerhand's last stand. If the focus was on King Helm on the first part then transferred to her daughter Hera after, then maybe it could have made for a better point of perspective.
Overall:
I had fun and I liked it. Despite my (amateur and meandering) criticisms, I speak as a fan of the Lord of the Rings. I am excited for more. 6.5/10
**I wrote this immediately after the film so I would not forget. Maybe, I' ll write another that is more intelligible after watching it again.
Note: I have not read the original story this was based on. I did not watch any trailers or read any reviews and have only read few stray comments here and there on this sub.
I have watched the last showing of the War of the Rohirrim in our cinema today. I am glad I did and I had fun. But, I would also say that you do not have to and you can watch it when its on streaming or VOD.
Animation:
I hate and love the animation. I hate the moving parts - the walking, the gestures, the awkward pauses in between, the walking. Fuck man, the walking lol It reminds me of Bakshi's animated LoTR. It feels awkwardly rotoscoped at times. But the fighting choreography more than makes up for it (and I wish there was more of it.)
The background, tho. Holy hell, the backgrounds! The greenery reminds me of Ghibli films, like Howl's Moving Castle and Princess Mononoke. The close-up of settings and inamated objects reminds me of the old Disney animations, like Sleeping Beauty and Snow White. It's very beautiful, very vivid and full of depth, and the style is very painterly.
Story:
I have read a comment on here that the War of the Rohirrim was told in third person contrary to the film that gave focus on a main lead. And I wish the story was told in the third person perspective, instead. Like in the original trilogy, we are a spectator on the different adventures of different people and I think that helps in pulling us in their experiences and growth.
In this film, the most of the focus was on the main character Hera. In my opinion, it kinda detracts from the whole story because they did nothing with her character or did something interesting on how the story was told through her. The scene with her outsmarting the oliphaunt though, was very badass.
Like, there's something interesting happening in different places but the 'camera' was on her. I can't help but compare it with The Hunger Games. The Hunger Games trilogy books was written in first POV and it was translated beautifully in the first film because we also only see and know what the main character see and know. It kinda makes us feel that we are the character.
But, in this film I feel like a voyeur instead. Also, Hera remained more or less the same from beginning til end. They've done Eowyn's story and growth so well, couldn't Hera...like please, she's got so much potential 😭 I'm rambling, moving on.
Plot:
Where war? The title is the War of the Rohirrim so I assume it will focus on, you know, war. But there's so little of it?? There was fights, yes but so little of war especially the end. Hell, I wouldn't have minded if the first part was strategizing and the first assault, then planning the logistics of winter warfare on the second part and the actual war on the third act.
Voice Acting:
Topnotch, superb, amazing. The voices are very natural and fit each character so well. If these are professional VAs, I'm glad they went that route (and also gave VAs work.) If these were actors, they were chosen well. The voices of marching people is also very good, comparable to the og movies.
Music:
The music, as always, is amazing. It gave life to the film and heightened the scenes. The One Ring theme was also used which was very exciting.
Animation:
I do not mind that the film was anime (I am a weeb, relapsedl) but god, it feels so rushed that it took me out of the film a few times. It's painful at times, especially the pauses. If they were doing Miyazaki's 'silence' or 'pauses,' it did not work, it was just awkward.
It would have flourished as a live action film, I think, if it was given to actresses and actors who can portray anything through their eyes without saying anything. I think, that was they were trying to do with some of the awkward paused and stares. Though, if they just tightened up the animation just a bit- this film would be so amazing.
The camera tracking is also good. Mostly.
Character Design:
It really is an anime because the main character is wearing tights over a short, tight dress and thigh high boots. Please, let my girl wear some armor and sensible boots 🥲
Favorite Part:
Old man strength, for the win. I really enjoyed King Helm Hammerhand's last stand. If the focus was on King Helm on the first part then transferred to her daughter Hera after, then maybe it could have made for a better point of perspective.
Overall:
I had fun and I liked it. Despite my (amateur and meandering) criticisms, I speak as a fan of the Lord of the Rings. I am excited for more. 6.5/10
**I wrote this immediately after the film so I would not forget. Maybe, I' ll write another that is more intelligible after watching it again.