For a long time, the gaming community and movie enthusiasts around the world have lost quite a bit of faith in adaptations from popular video game franchises. Therefore, it is not too surprising that die-hard fans are quite worried about the release of film adaptations based on famous game titles, like Warcraft and Assassin’s Creed. Finally, after much anticipation, I can confidently say to the loyal fans: rest assured and go watch Warcraft, because it truly is a blockbuster that is definitely not a “flop”!
Speaking of Warcraft, the first captivating element that the film brings to audiences is undoubtedly its visuals. Every detail from costumes, CGI effects to the depiction of Orcs and the grand structures, alongside the breathtaking landscapes, creates a stunning visual experience.
If you are a hardcore fan of Warcraft, you will surely see that the visual aspects in the film are very closely aligned with the designs from the game. From the majestic city of Stormwind to the armored soldiers, the fortified towers, and the rugged encampments of the Orcs, everything resonates beautifully with the game versions, which will undoubtedly delight dedicated fans of Warcraft.
In addition to the stunning visuals in the cinematography, the film’s story content could use some improvement, which is also why I would say that Warcraft has not yet achieved a perfect score of 10 out of 10. The strong point of the narrative that Warcraft brings is its close alignment with the game version, almost without too many differing points.
However, it seems that director Duncan Jones has been a bit “greedy” in incorporating too many details into this work, causing the pacing of certain scenes to feel rushed, making it difficult for viewers to fully grasp the connections between scenes as they “jump” from one scene to another.
If you are a hardcore fan who has known the world of Warcraft, this aspect will not greatly affect your experience, as understanding the main storyline will help you navigate the film more smoothly. However, for the general audience, especially those who are new to this story, the film’s content may seem vast and difficult to grasp.
This overwhelming experience also makes the character development somewhat shallow, preventing many characters from showcasing their personalities. Characters like King Llane (Dominic Cooper), Lady Taria (Ruth Negga), and even significant figures like Medivh (Ben Foster) lack depth. King Llane appears… too bland, while it is known that in the original work, this king also has more weight, but in the film, he seems to be overshadowed. Medivh, on the other hand, appears far less than his significant role in the lore, especially when it comes to his powerful magical abilities.
In contrast, the way the character images for Lothar (Travis Fimmel), the film’s main hero, along with his mentor Khadgar (Ben Schnetzer), and the half-Orc Garona (Paula Patton) are constructed is quite good and leaves a strong impression on viewers. We have a Lothar who is a bold, powerful warrior of the human race (in the truest sense), a youthful, inexperienced Khadgar who is endearing yet possesses strong magical skills, and finally, a half-Orc Garona who struggles with her identity but constantly seeks ways to bring peace between humans and Orcs. (Notably, Garona in the film is a hybrid of Orc and human, not Draenei as in the game).
However, there is one disappointing aspect: the way the relationship between Garona and Lothar develops feels rather rushed, leading viewers to think, “What kind of strange fate do these two meet several times, only to fall in love so quickly?”. Yes, if a few more scenes were dedicated to developing the relationship between the two, it could have added some depth to this connection.
As for the action sequences in the film, they are truly impressive and deserve to be highlighted. In my opinion, the battle scenes between the Orcs and humans in Warcraft provide a much more immersive experience compared to other similar works… like Lord of the Rings. You will have to hold your breath when a giant Orc crushes a small soldier or when the impressive magical abilities are displayed throughout the film. Everything is very beautiful, very dynamic, and almost flawless.
The authenticity of the action scenes is further enhanced by the brilliant sound design. The background music swells during battle, blending with the sounds of clashing metal, shouts, and the roars of Orcs… Everything harmonizes beautifully, providing an immersive experience for the audience as if they are right there in the midst of the battle.
Thus, it can be said that although the film’s content is not yet perfect, the stunning visual designs and authentic action scenes have brought significant success to Warcraft. As a devoted fan, I can confidently assure you that “Rest assured, Warcraft is not a flop.”
