In The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, director Kenji Kamiyama transports viewers on a return trip to Middle-earth for a sometimes-gripping, animated tale that feels like a nod back to early cartoon movie and television productions of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. It’s a movie that feels aimed at Tolkien enthusiasts, but also one that wants to be welcoming to newcomers. But this is a story from the appendices of author J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, and such deep lore makes for a bigger challenge than the complex but popular and more familiar stories of the adventures of Bilbo and Frodo. Amazon’s foray into Middle-earth with the streaming series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has been an objective disaster, and Kamiyama’s film avoids some of the streamer’s missteps while never reaching the gravitas, realism and buoyant storytelling of Peter Jackson’s definitive live action depictions of J.R.R. Tolkien’s universe.
Set several centuries before Bilbo found the One Ring, the film is centered on Helm Hammerhand, the King of Rohan, whose leadership and bravery become the stuff of legends. Helm is voiced by the great Brian Cox. Helm’s two sons and his daughter, Héra (voiced by Gaia Wise) all play parts in the kingdom-building and it’s fun to think of The War of the Rohirrim as an animated, swords-and-sorcery version of Succession. Facing relentless assaults from the warring Dunlendings, Helm must rally his people to defend their homeland from the brink of annihilation. The titular war of the Rohirrim erupts into an intense clash that shapes the future of Middle-earth. This is the story that serves as the backdrop for the Battle of Helm’s Deep, a key point of conflict in The Lord of the Rings saga.
The movie delves deep into the intricate political machinations, ancient rivalries, and the enduring spirit of the Rohirrim people. It paints an often-striking picture of the struggles, sacrifices and heroics that define their legacy. The emotional core of the story lies in the royal family’s journey, their inner battles and the bonds they share with one another and with their allies. Deploying often-stunning animation and intricate storytelling, Kamiyama delves into timeless themes of honor, loyalty and the fight against overwhelming odds.
The writers of The War of the Rohirrim make Helm’s daughter Héra the protagonist here. The choice to front the movie with a female character might feel like the same strategy deployed by Amazon’s lamentable series. But Kamiyama and his writers manage to avoid contemporary warrior-princess cliches. Instead Kamiyama’s tale gives us a heroine’s journey marked by the excruciating decisions and challenges that wartime brings. Kamiyama offers some big battle sequences, but it’s the smaller struggles focused more intimately on single characters that pack the most punch.
Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes, blending classic animation with modern techniques to create a vibrant, immersive experience. The landscapes of Rohan are beautifully rendered, from the rolling plains to the imposing fortress of Helm’s Deep, offering fans a new way to experience the grandeur of Tolkien’s world. The movie — unsurprisingly — has a lot of the stylizing viewers will recognize from Japanese anime, and it’s really cool to see Middle-earth through this lens.
Unfortunately, the film’s strongest points also highlight its weakest, and it’s often a frustrating watch because of this lack of consistency. It’s a fact that the project was hurried into production so Warner Brothers could retain their Tolkien property rights, and the movie notably suffered for it. One scene might be truly dazzling, but the next is choppy and sloppy. The plot drags at its two hour runtime, but the movie is also packed with a dizzying amount of information. It’s one of those films where every flicker of inspired artistry can feel like a set-up for another letdown. But, if you’re a diehard Hobbit-head or a LOTR-completist, this new adventure has some treasures worth discovering.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is currently streaming on MAX
Joe Nolan is a critic, columnist and performing singer/songwriter based in East Nashville. Find out more about his projects at www.joenolan.com.