From Jeff Nelson

J. R. R. Tolkien’s fantastical world has struggled to reach a cinematic high since Peter Jackson’s masterful The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It’s a rich story filled with colorful characters, yet The Hobbit trilogy and the Rings of Power television show fell short of expectations. Kenji Kamiyama’s The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim takes a different approach, embracing an anime style in a prequel that doesn’t justify its runtime.

Set 183 years before the iconic The Lord of the Rings trilogy, a merciless Dunlending lord named Wulf (voiced by Luca Pasqualino) seeks vengeance against King Helm Hammerhand (voiced by Brian Cox) and the House of Rohan. His courageous daughter, Hèra (voiced by Gaia Wise), must rise to protect her people and their legacy.

Wulf and his father, Freca (voiced by Shaun Dooley), cause an outburst in the king’s presence that erupts into a fistfight that quickly spirals out of control. A single knockout punch and Hèra’s marriage rejection lead Wulf down a path of hatred, vengeance, and war. The war takes the Kingdom of Rohan to the ancient stronghold of the Hornburg to fight for survival against Wulf and his formidable forces. 

Some of Tolkien’s works have been criticized for lacking notable female characters that serve a purpose beyond driving male character arcs. The War of the Rohirrim sees the rise of Hèra’s confidence, where the tables are turned. Now, the men serve as plot devices for her. Unfortunately, she isn’t the most compelling character in her own story. King Hammerhand’s journey draws more interest, particularly regarding the toll of war and its casualties. Hèra is a strong protagonist, but she suffers from a lack of depth.

The kingdom of Rohan’s story is a minor one mentioned in Tolkien’s appendices. It directly ties into Jackson’s trilogy without diving into Sauron and the One Ring. The source material is relatively unexplored, allowing the film adaptation to take historical liberties. The War of the Rohirrim delves into fanfare without allowing it to divert entirely from the story. Éowyn (voiced by Miranda Otto) narrates the story, making it feel like one passed from one generation to the next. 

Tolkien’s grand worldbuilding makes for slower-paced storytelling that immerses the audience. The War of the Rohirrim builds upon Middle-earth’s oral storytelling with beautifully rendered 2D animation that unifies this fantastical world with anime. There are some distracting shifts in the animation style, but the transition away from live-action gives a new texture to the theatrical world of Middle-earth.

The War of the Rohirrim stretches itself thin for lore that feels like a footnote without breathing enough life into the characters and stakes to make the war impactful. The well-choreographed fight sequences and formidable voice-over performances make for an entertaining adventure epic, but it leaves something to be desired from Tolkien’s world.

Rating: 2.5/5

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim hits theaters on December 13th, 2024.

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