Kenji Kamiyama’s "The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim"
A Movie Review by Dennis D. McDonald
We’re back in Middle-earth again. This time, it’s centuries before The Lord of the Rings, and we’re immersed in a civil war within the kingdom of Rohan. Even at this point in history, Rohan and Gondor are at odds, but the focus here is on the rivalry between the legendary Rohan king, Helm Hammerhand, and a rival lord whose son seeks the hand of Helm’s daughter, Héra—a red-haired beauty far more comfortable in the saddle than at her father’s side in the throne room.
The story, centered on civil war and Héra’s adventures, unfolds as narrator Miranda Otto helps flesh out the heritage of Rohan’s legendary “shieldmaidens.” While not overly complex, the narrative is told through a series of beautifully animated action sequences.
The depiction of Rohan is instantly recognizable, with landscapes, architecture, and even the horse stables of Edoras evoking imagery from Peter Jackson’s films. However, the story itself is new, and while the rivalries and character dynamics may feel familiar, they are competently presented with artwork and editing that keep the pace brisk. This is a very kinetic film.
My one complaint lies with the character animation. Facial designs and expressions are not as sophisticated as what I’ve come to expect from top-tier Japanese animation. Héra, while extraordinarily heroic in her actions, feels visually and personality-wise less distinctive than another famous red-haired princess, Merida from Pixar’s Brave.
Additionally, character movement lacks fluidity. At times, there’s a stiffness to their motion, almost as if fewer frames were used per second than in other recent animated films. The result is an odd contrast—gorgeous scenery, immersive weather effects, and fluid, often spectacular crowd scenes enhanced by realistic computer-generated imagery, juxtaposed with slightly stilted character close-ups.
Overall, I was very entertained by the film—just not overwhelmed.
Review copyright © 2025 by Dennis D. McDonald
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