The definition of being sufficient

Rating: 8/10 (28 May 2016)

Watched it, liked it!
The critics bashing it, understandably, the fans and non-fans like it, also understandably. Who is right? BothÂ…
Alright, so let's just put the premise of this whole thing. A film adaptation, for a game, still a very tricky thing to do which could easily go wrong, and did for many tries in the past. It has to be appealing for the fans, non-fans, for movie goers, Avatar movie-like fanatics, snobbish people, adults and children etc. and just then we still didn't get to the fact, that it is a movie, and it has to tell a story from A to B, having a structure, in which a movie should work.
We're living in an age where a film adaptation for a game has finally managed to bring exactly the same image which the game itself represents, well, in a way. Some are saying it's not a World of Warcraft movie, I say it is, kinda, mixed with the Warcraft I's simplicity, creating a hybrid which tells a simple but important story for this franchise, introducing elements which may be important for the latter storytelling. It's indeed a beginning for possible sequels, just as it should be after several ones were released in the format of books, and games, summing up massive lore, from which the film makers could choose and put as a sequel next to this really ambitious, and overall well made movie; Warcraft, the Beginning.
It couldn't be that easy to bring all the feelings, experiences which we could come by in games, or in the world of literature. That's merely impossible, that's why I think that without Duncan Jones' talent this movie couldn't work, which want to tell many things yet it still don't. It starts to bring up information which should be noted, but in the end, their role and part will only be seen in the future somewhere, so now they only take participation in making the represented world believable and credible, creating the atmosphere the game itself has.
It may have been made for the fans, but it also could be appealing for non- fans, however the truth is, each side will take the communications of this movie differently, 'coz no matter what, some pre-knowledge wouldn't hurt to really get the movie's real intention. It may be liked by non-fans, and the uninitiated, the information they collect from this 2 hour story restores whole differently as in a fan, or a viewer, who has played some time with any of the games. So in my opinion, the REAL quality could be experienced if you have some knowledge about the franchise, whether it is from the written format or gaming platform. Because no matter what, the world of Warcraft is a grotesque but still a dangerous place, it's as serious as it is not, it holds as dark moments as light ones, and this is a language that Warcraft held with itself from the beginning of its existence. So when a guy, like Medivh speaks totally seriously about the Fel magic, as the camera holds the position on his face, it is as serious as cringe-worthy, it's someplace in between, and that's the simple reflection of the world of Warcraft's language, when you look at the orcs, they are not just scary, they are also adorable in a way with their huge hands and tusks, with their simple perspective of life, when we see Lothar, a totally cheeky appearance throughout a film showing off how deadly and sullen can he be in the end.
However some changes have been made in order to make the movie work, so in some percentage it really doesn't matter what your pre-conceptions are, a partly new story will be shown in front of you, and here is the answer what a film adaptation for a game should be, in my opinion: Be true to the source, but also make purpose to bring it on screen. How could be that possible? Simply with thinking a bit outside the box, understanding how could the elements of a game work on big screen in order to bring new experiences for the audience, making it clear what's the difference between communicating information by the game and the movie.
Familiar faces, names, stories, a bit differently, bringing back memories from the past in a form of modern communication, and the language of motion picture. We see what we expect to see, yet get it in a whole lot of different pacing that we got used to watching any cinematics made in this franchise, experiencing a story, that has heart, and soul, an ambitious production which possibly holds many surprises and also nostalgic feelingsÂ…
So simply put, Warcraft: The Beginning is a fresh and solid experience, giving a good fun to the audience, that may not be a masterpiece, or legendary, far from that, but as a movie adaptation for a game it is a pleasant momentum, and for a startÂ… it is sufficient. Just let us see some effect of elevation or evolution for the sequels.
P.S.: They say that 40 minutes footage was cut out from the full length, maybe that's why it is a bit chaotic in several places... so we better get a director's cut. Oh, I cannot wait to see the Lord of the Clans.