Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs Heading to theaters next week is a brand new film from The Lord of the Rings universe… but with a twist.Directed by Kenji Kamiyama, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohrrim features over 50 voice actors in this anime film, including performances from Brian Cox, Gaia Wise, Miranda Otto, Luke Pasqualino, Lorraine Ashbourne, Shaun Dooley, Benjamin Wainwright, Yazdan Qafouri, Laurence Ubong Williams, Michael Wildman, Janine Duvitski, Bilal Hasna, Jude Akuwudike, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, and more.Following the film’s premiere in London, the first reactions are rolling in on social media, and people are feeling mixed emotions for the two-hour and 14-minute movie that follows a clever and ruthless Dunlending lord seeking vengeance for the death of his father.
HALETH Voiced by BENJAMIN WAINWRIGHT in New Line Cinema’s and Warner Bros. Animation’s epic anime adventure “THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE WAR OF THE ROHIRRIM,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
HALETH Voiced by BENJAMIN WAINWRIGHT in New Line Cinema’s and Warner Bros. Animation’s epic anime adventure “THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE WAR OF THE ROHIRRIM,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
Matt Neglia at Next Best Picture says The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohrrim “features dazzling animation that pays homage to the iconic works of Hayao Miyazaki, Akira Kurosawa, and Peter Jackson’s original LOTR trilogy” and says it’s “a big-screen worthy experience that looks and sounds spectacular.”Neglia did have some critique of Kamiyama’s film, however, saying, “it occasionally falls into predictability, with broad characterizations, lethargic pacing, and an uneven mix of unforgettable, heavy-metal-worthy moments and some cheesy, eye-rolling ones.”THE LORD OF THE RINGS: WAR OF THE ROHIRRIM features dazzling animation that pays homage to the iconic works of Hayao Miyazaki, Akira Kurosawa, and Peter Jackson’s original LOTR trilogy. With epic battle sequences & breathtaking art direction, this is a big-screen worthy… pic.twitter.com/pr30N1iD9W— Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) December 3, 2024
Critic Ezra Cubero had a slightly less complimentary reflection, however, saying, “I was let down”, and “the intrigue in its story lacks surprise and it’s got a lethargic pace.”InSession Film on X (formerly known as Twitter) had similar complaints, and said they “found it to be trite and mundane” and “it left a lot to be desired.”THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE WAR OF THE ROHIRRIM has glimpses of that Middle-Earth magic, but proves that it can only be as powerful as the characters we follow which here are sadly unengaging. The intrigue in its story lacks surprise and it’s got a lethargic pace. I was let down. pic.twitter.com/biSFy9xoL9— Ezra Cubero (@EzraCubero) December 3, 2024
I wish I liked THE LORD OF THE RINGS: WAR OF THE ROHIRRIM more, but mostly found it to be trite and mundane. Its spectacle is certainly compelling at times. Some great individual moments, with wonderful animation and stirring music. One the whole it left a lot to be desired. pic.twitter.com/86vBjofccy— InSession Film (@InSessionFilm) December 3, 2024
More positive reactions came from Zayyan Farooqi and Tessa Smith, with Farooqi saying it “was a solid film” and “the anime style gave it uniqueness from other LoTR projects, alongside a great score, new and old, and fun parallels to Peter Jackson’s films.”Smith says, “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is a great addition to the iconic franchise” and that the film is “perfect for families with teens & Tolkien fans”.#LoTR: The War of The Rohirrim was a solid film regarding Helm Hammerhand and his daughter Héra as Rohan entered new conflict. The anime style gave it uniqueness from other LoTR projects, alongside a great score, new and old, and fun parallels to Peter Jackson’s films pic.twitter.com/aS0TnVhfoL— Zayyan Farooqi (@ZayyanFarooqi) December 4, 2024
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is a great addition to the iconic franchise. Perfect for families with teens & Tolkien fans, it has deeper exploration of lore, delivers an empowering story, offers up insane action & features exciting cameos. #LOTR #WarOfTheRohirrim pic.twitter.com/jIK7acJqLB— Tessa Smith – Mama’s Geeky (@MamasGeeky) December 3, 2024
So, while it’s not resounding praise for The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, early reactions suggest there’s enough in this film to quench the thirst of fans looking for their next story from The Lord of the Rings universe.Full-length reviews remain embargoed for now.The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim will hit theaters on December 13.
