Is The Lord of the Rings the new Star Wars? Both franchises feature an iconic, groundbreaking trilogy followed by spin-offs, sequels and television series of varying qualities, and both franchises have vocal fans that can be difficult to please. Now, the vast and expansive world created by author J.R.R. Tolkien is brought to life once again with The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. It’s a big screen spectacle with vivid animation and breathtaking action sequences, but fans of Middle-earth and its inhabitants have proven fickle.
They’ve been quick to turn their backs and turn up their noses at nearly everything following The Return of the King’s historic Best Picture win at the Academy Awards. It was, and still is, only the second sequel to ever take home the top honor. It was an astronomical achievement that closed out what is arguably the greatest film trilogy of all time. It’s a double-edged sword to have such a rabid fanbase. On the plus side, there will always be the demand for more content. On the downside, that content will be judged harshly due to the unrealistic and unreasonable standards of its audience. Still, The War of the Rohirrim is a welcomed surprise, taking this universe back to its animated roots to tell a smaller and more grounded story that should please newcomers and fans alike.
The War of the Rohirrim: a new chapter in The Lord of the Rings
As for the plot of The War of the Rohirrim, following a dispute over the proposed marriage of his daughter, Héra, King Helm Hammerhand (Brian Cox) faces off against a growing army led by Wulf, the childhood friend of Héra and the man proposed to marry her. Set 183 years before Peter Jackson’sThe Fellowship of the Ring, this story sees two powerful families clash in a war for pride, power and vengeance.
I remember watching the 1977 animated adaptation of The Hobbit in my middle school English class. At the time, I didn’t quite understand the film’s relevance and, in all honesty, I didn’t give it my full attention. By the time I reached high school and completed a book report on the original novel, it became one of my favorite stories. Middle-earth has primarily been adapted into live action since then, and with groundbreaking special effects it’s been a marvelous spectacle. But the simplistic anime style of animation in Kenji Kamiyama’s new film is a refreshing deviation from the typical Tolkien we’ve been flooded with in the past two decades.
To say the visual style is simplistic is not a critique. There’s a great attention to detail within the animation; however, it’s delivered in a manner that looks clean and uncluttered, using minimal line work to achieve a maximum effect. Despite what we know of Middle-earth and the various races and species that inhabit it, The War of the Rohirrim is a story focused solely on the human race. As a result, it feels more approachable and capable of appealing to a wider audience. The fantastical elements, though still present, are far tamer and kept to a minimum level of extravagance.
The film rests on the shoulders of Héra, voiced by Gaia Wise. As the daughter of Helm and as the catalyst for the ensuing conflict, her role is central to the story. Luckily, she’s a character worthy of carrying such a burden. She’s strong-willed and determined, eager to please her father, but intent on making her own choices and leading her own life. She’s the type of character that a story like this needs. The childhood history between Wulf and Héra adds a complex layer to their relationship. From friends to potential lovers and ultimately enemies. It’s not necessarily new or groundbreaking, but it’s done well enough that it elevates the conflict and brings an emotional weight to the combat.
Is this new animated film a worthy addition to the lore of Middle-earth?
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is exactly what the franchise needed. With its beautifully stylistic animation, I felt myself truly engaged in the stories of Middle-earth for the first time in a long while. It’s brutal, bold and endlessly compelling, everything that The Lord of the Rings fans could ask for. Will it draw new viewers to the series? I hope so, and it is completely possible. The voice cast is stellar, the action is compelling and the story is genuine.
Its ties to Middle-earth and The Lord of the Rings aren’t always abundantly apparent, and I think that’s a good thing. The story stands alone as a genuinely compelling action epic, while staying close enough to the source material to still feel relevant. It’s a win-win accomplishment that allows The War of the Rohirrim to stand out in a year overflowing with spectacular animated features.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim releases to theaters on December 13, 2024.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2, and Future Seasons | The Cosmic Circle Podcast
Into the West: The Lord of the Rings After The Fellowship
