Warcraft: At long last, re-energizing high fantasy on the big screen

Rating: 9/10 (13 June 2016)

So needless to say, Blizzard have spent a large part of their time in gaming business as the largest game developer around even though consoles finally caught up with Call of Duty and GTA series. However there is little doubt that Blizzard has, at least historically, been THE developer for quality and story in their games. Warcraft, and in particular the hugely successful MMO World of Warcraft, might be considered a pinnacle of gaming.
So there was hardly a surprise that eventually Blizz was going to turn at least one of their franchises into a movie. And it was announced. And we waited. And we waited. And waited... Needless to say that after 10 years in development expectations have come and gone, just as World of Warcraft made its incredible legacy along the way. I went from being curious, to being very excited, to losing interest, and finally to being quite ambivalent about the project. But enough of this framework.
'Warcraft' as a movie adaption is a beautiful work of art. You find a good mix of Easter eggs around but it does not come out as a fan-service movie - comparing with 'The force awakens', Warcraft stands on its own a whole lot better. A great cast, enticing music, clever perspectives, epic battles, amazingly well in-blended CGI, magic, swords, mythical creatures and orcs. Yes, fantasy has made a return with a vengeance to the big screen and 'Warcraft' brings it back.