'Warcraft' Review

Image from Empire

By Gorrgutz, Level 95 Orc Monk (Matt Cohen)

Video game movies do not have the best track record. More often than not, something gets lost in translation in the switch from interactive media to that which is passively consumed. Very few films break from this tradition of poor filmmaking, namely Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and the Resident Evil series. Now, Duncan Jones’s Warcraft joins that exclusive list of successful video game adaptations.

Warcraft is not entirely based on a single game, but rather the incredibly influential real-time strategy series developed by Blizzard Entertainment in the 1990s. The latest entry in the series, World of Warcraft, redefined and reshaped the massive multiplayer online role-playing genre, and at its peak garnered an impressive 12 million subscribers. At the center of Warcraft’s lore is the unending war between the human-led Alliance and the orcish Horde. The film sets out to establish the beginnings of this war.

First, a quick plot introduction: After their homeworld of Draenor was made uninhabitable, the warlock Gul’dan leads the orc clans into a portal to find a new home. When this portal is opened, the humans, aided by dwarves and elves, of Azeroth must defend their kingdom from the invading Horde. Durotan, leader of the orcish Frostwolf Clan, questions the practices of Gul’dan, asserting that it was his use of an ancient and vile magic known as the Fel is what corrupted Draenor in the first place. A decision must be made. Can Durotan and his Frostwolves unite with the humans, led by Commander Anduin Lothar and King Llane Wrynn, to prevent their new home from suffering the same fate as their old?

It’s a lot to digest. However, the story of the film does not seem concerned with those unfamiliar with the tales and legends of the world already established in the video game series over the past 25 years. Very few of the more complicated story lines are explained in any detail that would help an uninitiated soul understand the complex universe. Additionally, there are a few small moments (more noticeable and significant than easter eggs, but easily forgettable for those not interested) which will fly over the heads of audience members who have themselves not yet ventured into Azeroth.

However, from some other point of views, the film excels. The special effects, most importantly the look of the motion-captured orcs, are crafted beautifully with very few flaws. Only when an orc interacts with a live-action human character is the CGI even noticeable. Also, the film is shot in a way to highlight the absolutely massive nature of the story and world the filmmakers attempt to recreate. Performances are on par with what you would expect from a modern fantasy-action piece, with Ben Foster’s Medivh and Toby Kebbell’s Durotan being the standouts.

As an active subscriber to World of Warcraft, I cannot think of a better adaptation. The game has quite an enormous scope, which the film captures excellently. There is enough fan service to please any lover of the series, though at times the film can be slightly alienating to outside observers. However, this action-packed movie is definitely worth checking out, no matter what allegiance you may have to the series. See it in IMAX 3D if you can, as this one deserves to be seen on the largest screen possible and heard through the loudest speakers possible.

7.75/10