The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim Reviews : The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (2024) takes audiences back to the fantastical world of Middle-earth, offering a deep dive into the history of Rohan. Directed by Kenji Kamiyama and produced under the watchful eye of Peter Jackson, the animated feature explores events set 183 years before the original trilogy. However, despite its promising premise and connection to the beloved franchise, the film has struggled to capture the magic of its predecessors, both critically and commercially.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim Reviews
Set in the Third Age of Middle-earth, The War of the Rohirrim chronicles the life and legacy of Helm Hammerhand, the legendary King of Rohan. The narrative revolves around Helm’s battle against Wulf, a cunning and vengeful Dunlending lord seeking retribution for his father’s death. When Wulf launches a surprise attack, Helm and his people are forced to take refuge in the fortress known as the Hornburg, which would later become the iconic Helm’s Deep.
The story also introduces Héra, Helm’s daughter, who rises to the occasion as a formidable leader. Faced with insurmountable odds, Héra leads the resistance against Wulf, embodying the spirit and resilience of Rohan. Miranda Otto, reprising her role as Éowyn from the original trilogy, narrates the film, drawing parallels between Héra’s bravery and her own journey.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim – Official Trailer
The film’s events enrich the lore of The Two Towers, offering audiences a fresh perspective on the Battle of Helm’s Deep. Both films share thematic and narrative similarities, such as the fortress becoming a bastion of hope during times of peril. However, unlike the Uruk-hai forces in the original trilogy, the invaders in this tale are human, led by the charismatic yet ruthless Wulf.
Miranda Otto’s narration adds depth to Éowyn’s character, framing her admiration for Héra as a source of inspiration for her own acts of heroism. This connection enhances the emotional impact of Éowyn’s arc, particularly her iconic moment in The Return of the King when she confronts the Witch-king of Angmar.
Despite its rich lore and ambitious storytelling, The War of the Rohirrim has received a lukewarm response from critics and audiences alike. The film currently holds a 52% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has garnered a “B” CinemaScore from opening-day viewers. Critics have pointed out the film’s slow pacing and lack of compelling narrative depth as significant drawbacks. Collider’s Aidan Kelley described the story as “slow-paced and uninteresting,” highlighting its failure to fully engage the audience.
While the animation’s technical brilliance has been praised, it hasn’t been enough to overshadow the perceived shortcomings in storytelling and character development. The film’s connection to the larger Lord of the Rings franchise has also sparked debates about its canonicity and relevance within the established lore.
Financially, The War of the Rohirrim has struggled to make an impact. Opening on December 13, 2024, in the U.S., the film earned just $4.6 million during its debut weekend, setting a franchise record for the lowest-grossing Peter Jackson-produced Lord of the Rings film to date. With a reported budget of $30 million, the film’s performance falls significantly short of expectations, especially given its wide release across 2,602 theaters.
Globally, the film has made over $10 million so far, a figure that pales in comparison to the success of previous Lord of the Rings entries. Industry analysts suggest that the movie’s box office woes stem from several factors, including debates about its canonicity, criticism of a female lead, and its lack of appeal to both anime enthusiasts and traditional Lord of the Rings fans.
One of the most intriguing aspects of The War of the Rohirrim lies in its production context. Reports suggest that Warner Bros. fast-tracked the film to retain theatrical rights to J.R.R. Tolkien’s works. This strategic move was necessary to prevent losing the adaptation rights, as it had been a decade since the last live-action installment of the franchise. While the studio has denied these claims, the timing and rushed production have led to speculation about the film’s true intent.
The decision to produce an animated feature also marked a departure from the franchise’s traditional live-action format. While this choice allowed for stunning visuals and innovative storytelling techniques, it also alienated a segment of the fanbase accustomed to the grandeur of Peter Jackson’s epic live-action films.
While the domestic performance of The War of the Rohirrim has been underwhelming, there is hope for better reception in international markets, particularly in Japan. The film’s director, Kenji Kamiyama, is a celebrated figure in anime, and his involvement could attract a dedicated audience in Japan. Scheduled for release there on December 27, 2024, the film’s success in the anime-loving nation could help offset its domestic struggles.
Moreover, word of mouth and positive reviews praising the film’s technical achievements may bolster its performance in the coming weeks. Featuring a star-studded cast, including Brian Cox as Helm Hammerhand, the film offers a solid foundation for future animated projects within the Lord of the Rings universe.
Despite its challenges, The War of the Rohirrim serves as a stepping stone for the future of the Lord of the Rings franchise. Warner Bros. has already announced plans for another live-action project, tentatively titled The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. Directed by Andy Serkis, this new installment aims to reignite the magic of the original trilogy, with Ian McKellen rumored to return as Gandalf.
The six live-action films directed by Peter Jackson have set a high bar, grossing over $5.8 billion worldwide. While The War of the Rohirrim falls short of these milestones, it demonstrates the franchise’s potential to explore new storytelling avenues, whether through animation or live-action adaptations.
Summary
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is a visually stunning yet narratively flawed addition to the Middle-earth saga. While it offers valuable insights into Rohan’s history and enriches the lore of The Two Towers, its slow pacing, mixed critical reception, and disappointing box office performance highlight the challenges of living up to the legacy of the original trilogy.
For dedicated fans of Tolkien’s world, the film provides a fresh perspective and a deeper understanding of Helm’s Deep’s significance. However, for casual viewers, it may lack the compelling storytelling and emotional resonance that defined Peter Jackson’s masterpieces. As the franchise moves forward, The War of the Rohirrim serves as both a cautionary tale and a beacon of hope for the untapped potential within Middle-earth’s vast lore.
Top 5 Rotten Tomatoes Reviews
It’s unclear whether the film will play better with superfans who will recognize every callback or those for whom that relentless referencing won’t register, but it’s unlikely to play very well for anyone – Kyle Logan, Chicago Reader
Diehard Tolkienistas will find much to coo over here… but the 2D animation style, with its herky-jerky action and painterly backdrops, will strike those who came to Tolkien’s tale primarily through Jackson’s movies as pretty crude stuff – Tom Shone, Times (UK)
[Peter Jackson] proves here that if you scrape hard enough at the bottom of any barrel you will eventually damage the integrity of the entire barrel – Kevin Maher, Times (UK)
Worse “art” has been made in the name of a studio trying to retain the rights to a franchise, but it’s hard to remember the last time a project embodied its company’s marching orders so blatantly – Zachary Lee, RogerEbert.com
This anime feature is mostly rote medieval fantasy that doesn’t have the widespread appeal of Peter Jackson’s trilogy – Dylan Roth, Observer
Top Movie Ratings
| IMDb | 6.7/10 |
| Screen Rant | 7/10 |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 49% |
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