‘LOTR: The War of the Rohirrim’ takes inspiration from animé

The War of the Rohirrim” introduces us to Helm Hammerhand and his three children Hama, Haleth, and Hera.

Surprise, there is a new “Lord of the Rings” film! Unlike the previous film trilogies and the ongoing series, “The War of the Rohirrim” is animated. But it is not just animated; it is anime. Director Kenji Kamiyama (“Ultraman,” “Blade Runner: Black Lotus”) brings the distinctive Japanese visual style into Middle Earth. Set centuries before Frodo Baggins stepped out of Shire, “The War of the Rohirrim” tells the tale of the heroic stand of Helm Hammerhand and his children against the Dunlendings.

Based on the appendices of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” The War of the Rohirrim” focuses on the unnamed daughter of the Rohan ruler Helm Hammerhand. In the film, she is called Hera, the best horse rider in the kingdom who cares more about gigantic eagles than her marital status.

While her brothers Hama and Haleth will succeed their father, she was fated to a life of marriage. One fateful evening, Freca, a Dunlending lord with Rohirric ties, told Helm that his daughter should marry his son, Wulf, instead of a Gondorrian lord as it could weaken the kingdom. Offended by Freca’s actions, he challenged his lord to a fight where he inadvertently killed Freca. Upon witnessing his father’s death, Wulf vowed vengeance against Helm, even if it meant going up against his childhood friend Hera.

In an interview, producer Philippa Boyens shared that while “The War of the Rohirrim” took inspiration from the works of Hayao Miyazaki at Studio Ghibli, it primarily showcases the visual style of Kamiyama.

The intricate backgrounds and the attention to detail are reminiscent of Studio Ghibli, but the character design is the visual style of the director that Boyens spoke of. Halfway through the film, one wonders if the animation works because it feels inert and stilted. There is an old-fashioned feel to it that is less vibrant than other anime styles. Interestingly, Kamiyama refused to rotoscope—a technique where animators trace over live-action footage to produce a realistic animated action—the translated 3D animation of the motion-captured performances.

While one can overlook the stylistic choices, it is difficult to ignore the more unjustifiable offense: the story. “The War of the Rohirrim” filched too much inspiration from the Peter Jackson films that it almost feels redundant. Pursued by the Dunlendings, Helm and the people of his kingdom took refuge in Hornburg, a mighty fortress in Rohan. In the face of depleted resources, Hera struggles to keep their hopes alive as the enemies break down the fortress. Yes, this is the Battle of Helm’s Deep in “The Two Towers.” There is even an Eomer-like character who was banished and later rode in aid of Rohan. Hera seems like an amalgamation of Aragorn and Eowyn. Speaking of Eowyn, the fearless shieldmaiden served as the narrator. And if you are wondering if certain wizards appeared or referenced, yes, both of them.

Upon leaving the theater, I remembered how I felt after watching “The Force Awakens.” Once my excitement died down, it became clear that it was nothing but an admirable reproduction of the first “Star Wars.” I felt the same with “The War of the Rohirrim.” The anime film mishandled its chance to expand the franchise by refusing to take risks. Most film studios with major IP franchises take too many precautions for various reasons, but at some point, they need to realize they cannot serve the same dish time after time and expect their ruse to remain undetected.