Warcraft

By: John Delia

While I’m not a gamer and have never played the game associated with the movie Warcraft, I am a huge fan of the trilogies Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. So much so that I’ve had an empty feeling only filled with replays of the Blu-ray collection of the Rings and Hobbits. Then up pops Warcraft filled with orcs and dwarfs and humans battling it out on the IMAX screen. Not a complete substitute, but an impressive one that beyond gamers those that love Middle Earth should enjoy the story, acting and battles galore.

The movie takes you to the world of Azeroth at the Stormwind Kingdom, a mighty bastion and stronghold of the humans. King Llane Wrynn (Dominic Cooper) leads a peaceful people. Far from their nation and beyond a portal lies Draenor, the home of the Orcs that has been suffering due to dwindling supplies. Here an army called “the Horde” lead by the mystic Gul’dan (Daniel Wu) rules Draenor with magic and special powers, pulling his strength from captured humans and other beings.

Gul’dan promises the people of the clans of Draenor that he will lead them through a mysterious portal to Azeroth and take claim to that land. His sinister power rages as opposition lead by the mighty Durotan (Toby Kebbell), an Orc who heads up the Frostwolf clan, objects. Even though at odds with Gul’dan, Durotan joins with him to enter the portal and the battles that ensue.

The movie was adapted from Warcraft I and Warcraft II and books associated with the Warcraft video strategy game. Screenwriter and director Duncan Jones (Source Code) moves his film along at a quick pace building characters as the story progresses. He uses several CGI techniques to work his actors in huge bodies for Orcs and changing facial features for the humans, especially the Guardian for Stormwind, Medivh, (Ben Foster) who has powers that can strike out against their foes.

The rocky lands of Draenor, mighty castle and city of Stormwind are the feats of the computer graphic geniuses that make everything look real. Huge birds that transport characters in and out of battle are magnificent with size and wing spans that dwarf their riders. Costumers using prostheses and special make-up present Orcs with huge teeth, pointed ears and green skin. They are ominous looking and with mighty axes, clubs and other weapons they are treacherous. King Wrynn’s armor looks real as does his Army who has to face the Horde.

Travis Fimmel, best known for his portrayal of Ragnar Lothbrok on the History Channels “Vikings,” plays Sir Anduin Lothar who is head of King Wrynn’s Army. His costume may be different, but he looks like he just stepped off the set of the sword wielding TV action drama. But here it’s a different story and he’s perfect for the role as the defender of Stormwind. With the task of turning back the Horde, his only hope comes in the form of an Orc woman, Garona Halforcen (played ably by Paula Patton). Clad with growing Orc teeth, pointed ears and a green hue, her Garona is a fierce fighter that has escaped from the Orc Horde.

The film may not be as engrossing as Lord or the Rings or The Hobbit, but it surly gets very exciting. Filled with action and intrigue, when the film starts its first battle it becomes the first drop on an awesome rollercoaster ride. Geared for a sequel with unanswered scene development throughout, I can’t wait till the Horde returns.

Warcraft has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for extended sequences of intense fantasy violence. If your kids are gamers or have seen The Hobbit, they should be able to sit through the harrowing two hours of Warcraft. The film was reviewed from a showing in IMAX 3D.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A well thought out and crafted action adventure. (A-)