Directed by Duncan Jones (Source Code, Moon), Warcraft: The Beginning is the first film adaptation of the cult game World of Warcraft. The cast consists of Travis Fimmel (Vikings), Toby Kebbell (Fantastic 4), Paula Patton (Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol), Ben Foster (Blood and Tears) and Dominic Cooper (Need for Speed).
Warcraft: A fan movie?
Warcraft: The Beginning traces the events of the first video game, Duncan Jones choosing to go back in time to tell how this war began. The peaceful kingdom of Azeroth finds itself on the brink of war, after a horde of war-bent Orcs seek to control this world.Embellished with some references and welcome winks to the video game, Warcraft: The Beginning will be aimed more at connoisseurs than neophytes. Gamers will find their video game universe thanks to many appearances, some key places, artifacts and other famous characters. The teeming world with infinite potential remains relatively well used, offering impressive locations and a complete introduction to the universe. Surprisingly, Orcs (yet in computer graphics) are much deeper and better studied than human characters, who are bland and recycled since directly inspired by any peplum. Warcraft, whether in the modeling of special effects, or in the writing of characters, is closer to a video game than a real feature film. The special effects are very clearly similar to video game cutscenes like the opening scene borrowed from the third Wow.
Warcraft: an academic and risk-free film…
Finally Warcraft will certainly be an undisguised pleasure for video game connoisseurs, however it is not certain that Jones will also manage to fascinate the average viewer. Since if the universe is well transcribed, Warcraft remains a blockbuster definitely academic. The scenario does not take any risks, content to plan pre-established twists and story arcs that will offer no surprises. The stereotyped characters cannot stand out, the dialogues remain vain and bland, and the editing does not allow the image to express itself. With indecent cuts, Duncan Jones cuts his fight scenes with disappointing speed. Whenever a fight becomes interesting, a third party intervenes and puts an end to the confrontation, which only serves to entice a spectator who will never be satisfied. Too bad because the rare battles are carried out with a master hand, the choreographies are worth the detour and the violence is not left out. Duncan Jones doesn't seem to want to take any chances, he doesn't want to take his film off the beaten track; Understandable to launch a saga, but Warcraft lacks madness. However, the balance of power is fascinating, in the manner of The Lord of the Rings; alliances, betrayals and other low blows are the rare moments of suspense and emotion that distills the feature film, like the conclusion of the final battle, both seductive, worked and emotional rather effective. But the main flaw of Warcraft remains its length, Duncan Jones failing to set up a rhythmic introduction and content to show places and characters without real context, with lazy and predictable transitions.
Warcraft is not a calamity, but in no way manages to stand out. So here is an effective but bland film, whose sequel we do not fear, nor do we expect it.
