Sarah Elliott (moonrisen_)

As a fan of The Lord of the Rings universe, I had high hopes for War of the Rohirrim, but ultimately, it left me feeling underwhelmed. While there were some exciting moments that got my blood pumping, the film as a whole felt lackluster. The biggest highlight for me were the scenes that hinted at deeper connections to the books and movies, with lines and references that long-time fans will appreciate. However, those moments were fleeting and couldn’t mask the overall blandness of the story. The plot lacked depth and failed to evoke the same emotional resonance or excitement that the original trilogy did. On the visual side, I found the artistry disappointing. The character designs, especially their facial features, just didn’t deliver the level of detail I’d hoped for. For a world as rich as Middle-Earth, the animation felt surprisingly uninspired. The action scenes were decent, but the overall aesthetic left me wishing for something more engaging. The music also missed the mark. While it tried to capture the essence of Howard Shore’s iconic score, it never quite hit the same emotional beats. It felt like a cheap imitation, which didn’t help elevate the film’s atmosphere. I really think this movie could have benefited from going in a more experimental direction, something akin to the trippy, offbeat style of the 1980s Lord of the Rings animated movie. That kind of weirdness and unpredictability would have made it stand out more in a sea of animated fantasy films. By the end, I found myself losing interest, even daydreaming about a cheeseburger (which, yes, I immediately went out and got). There were just too many moments that couldn’t hold my attention. I can’t say I was ever fully invested. In the end, I’d say I was impressed in certain small ways, but not enough to warrant a re-watch anytime soon. It’ll probably be another decade before I give this one another go.

Haven’t read the books. Love the show. I think the acting is phenomenal! The story is great. I am pleased.