Intro

Sorry for the length, but I didn't have time to write a short blog.

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Warcraft Lacks Craft


I've played World of Warcraft for awhile.  I wanted to love Blizzard's newest franchise, Warcraft.  I wanted to like Warcraft. I don't.  It is a spectacular CGI movie, and the actors all did fine considering what they had to work with.  The battle scenes are huge although more than a couple of times I noticed CGI characters in the background that seemed to be set to attack, but they seemed to be caught in a kind of Gif-like loop.  You know like that one guy in the group fight scene in a kung fu movie waiting for his turn in the choreography?

The problem I had is that the movie wanted to be a broad and epic scope of Lord of the Rings, but it lacked important elements like story and character.  It was not from a lack of trying.  It had moments where there was an attempt at backstory, exposition, and other ideas, but after an attempt to reveal, it turns to just telling the viewer.  Then there is the sudden appearance of things like "a demon" or that the bad guy requires the help of the demon, but even after the demon is dead, the bad guy still glows green for some unknown reason.

Take for example the relationship between the main character Lothar and his son.  Lothar's relationship appears protective and somewhat strained.  Lothar finally just announces the history of his relationship with his son.  There is no story there, no reveal, no real feeling between the two.  The closest anyone comes to showing a relationship is between the Orc, Durotan and his wife but the moment is fleeting. Then it is announced that Durotan is a chieftain. As I said, the movie does try.

The ending, which I will leave spoiler free, is inexplicable.  Obviously set up for a sequel, it still makes no sense.

The problem is that the movie is the game. I've played World of Warcraft off and on for three or so years, and the game's storyline works because we are participants in the world.  The problem with the movie, Warcraft, is the story is now viewed from the outside.  The audience is not a participant as they are if they play, but the movie makes no allowance for this.  It's the game and unfortunately, the game is not enough of a story, and we have no feel for who these characters are or why they are important.

Sorry, but as much as I wanted to like this movie, I just didn't.  I won't be buying the dvd.