Might convert a heretic

Rating: 9/10 (11 June 2016)

Even though "Warcraft" can by now surely be regarded as a part of cultural heritage, and warrants a film to its name, I expected that its cinematic incarnation be nothing but a cynical exploitation of the popularity of the game itself. Not really knowing that much about the game I could appreciate the film purely as a film.
Gosh, what a pleasant surprise! The production, the direction and the script must really breathe some fresh air into already stale "sword and sorcery" genre. Principal shooting reportedly took four months and post-production took additional twenty. And you can see that the time was well spent. The CGI characters look incredibly vigorous and real, the scenery as well, thanks to motion capture, skilled animators and acres and acres of render-farms. The cinematography (or whatever filters they've used in the post) is vividly colorful, luscious and glamorous as one should expect from a fantasy film. The costume design, the props and the sets are done impeccably and to a tremendous detail.
The script is unexpectedly self-conscious. Although it pits humans into battle against yet another monster species, we're allowed to observe both sides on equal footing. Both factions have their motives, their good and bad guys - we learn what's at stake for all of them. Not only it makes harder for the audience to pick sides, it makes for a more thrilling viewing as well.
Still, despite all these things going for "Warcraft", it's still the direction that sits at the heart of it all. It plays to the strength of the script, it's concise and matter-of-fact, and it never leaves a dull moment. Timing is so good that it makes you both laugh at tremble at desired moments. You can freely see it in 2D and give your eyes a break, no thrills will be lost. Really kudos to always intriguing Duncan Jones. Who knew "Zowie Bowie" would get so far. I hope he sticks around for the sequels.
If I should name flaws and thus justify not giving "Warcraft" the highest mark, I'd say that the pace, although needed to keep the attention in the complex story, didn't leave much room for relationships between characters to sink in completely. If it did, it would be an Oscar-worthy material, but hey. Doesn't matter all that much.
There will be people who will complain that the story is derivative. And indeed, how many stories about humans, kings, good and evil wizards, monsters and dwarfs are already there? Quite a lot, no doubt. It doesn't bother me, though. I'm glad this one came to be, and that is was brazen enough to go through all the familiar tropes of the genre as if they were anew. Because "Warcraft" could give lessons to some better known franchises of this and other genres. It could, for one, teach "Lord of the Rings" how to not be cold and heartless and it could teach Marvel how to avoid making listless villains and stories without stakes.
I'll never ever play "Warcraft" the game, but I'm now thankful for its existence because it gave me another cinematic franchise to look forward to in the future.