Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Warcraft Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman September 16, 2016

Blizzard's video game World of Warcraft was, in 2015, amongst the inaugural entrants into the Video Game Hall of Fame, entering alongside other esteemed classics such as Super Mario Bros., Tetris, Pac-Man, and Pong. That puts it in seriously elite company. And with its sprawling story of humans (and other species) battling giant Orcs, it was only a matter of time before a related cinematic venture hit theaters. Seemingly long in development and anticipated for years prior to its release, Warcraft, directed by Moon's Duncan Jones, does justice to the material and stands as a special effects extravaganza, but the film doesn't quite find the same success as its video game namesake. Though not destined for any cinematic hall of fame, the film adaptation at least stands tall enough as a serviceably entertaining Fantasy/Adventure film that's more a product of its name and less any kind of interesting story it has to tell, forced to cram several games and many novels worth of development into a two-hour movie.

The Orc homeward is on the brink of destruction. A mysterious power called "Fel Magic" is responsible, and the mighty Orc Gul'dan (Daniel Wu) organizes the clans and creates the Horde, an invading army that uses Fel Magic to travel to the world of Azeroth in search of a new home, which they will fight to take. Even before the residents of Azeroth can begin to piece together what it is they're facing, it may already be too late. At the center of Azeroth is Stormwind, a military stronghold led by Anduin Lothar (Travis Fimmel) and its king, Llane Wrynn (Dominic Cooper). With the help of a mage named Khadgar (Ben Schnetzer); the Guardian of Tirisfal, Medivh (Ben Foster); and a half-Orc named Garona Halforcen (Paula Patton), Azeroth comes to realize the ferocity of its enemy and the power it wields. Meanwhile, the horde shows signs of fracture from within when an Orc named Durotan (Toby Kebbell) rises against Gul'dan.

Warcraft is unquestionably a technical achievement. Visual effects often look and feel seamless, perfectly meshing with their surroundings and human counterparts to the point that, beyond digital that's obvious if only because there's no other way to make the effect -- the Orcs, for instance -- the line is practically completely blurred. But many other films of the past few years can claim much the same. Digital wizardry isn't enough anymore. Making a movie a success stems more from creative, involved storytelling and less the wow factor that splashes on the screen. Warcraft doesn't quite get that part right. The story has its roots in simplicity, but all of that lore and mythology -- spelled out in several lengthy games and several more novels based in the Warcraft universe -- can't quite be absorbed by the movie, even at two hours. Jones and the other filmmakers necessarily cram a ton into the movie, and much of it is a mouthful. It can be a little hard to keep straight. Newcomers may very well struggle, though franchise veterans will find it much more comfortable.

That said, the movie still works well enough even through what is sometimes gibberish lore. The core story is carried out proficiently and the filmmaking around it professionally. It's a soaring production that hasn't forgotten its core fans, that carries through a lot of nice little touches that even casual players of the games will recognize. Character development is decent, with both warring parties given equal time and ample space to stretch and fit into the story and larger universe. Fortunately, the Orcs are not simply a big, hulking, green menace but instead carefully and lovingly crafted characters with, arguably, a greater and more interesting arc than their human counterparts. This is as much their movie as anyone's, and it's the lore on their side of the ledger that makes for some of the film's best moments. Beyond story, Warcraft proves acceptably entertaining, blending that characterization with some well realized and smoothly complex action extravaganzas that give weight to the surrounding story, not define it.

Warcraft Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Warcraft's live action elements were digitally photographed, and the movie makes use of heavy CGI throughout. The results are largely spectacular. In an unusual flip, the digital elements oftentimes look better than the real thing. Orcs are the unequivocal highlight of the movie and the Blu-ray transfer. The format is more than capable of picking up all sorts of the most intimately animated textural details on the characters. The green skin is particularly robust, revealing seemingly all but the most microscopic details. Complexity comes easy, even through all of the support details on the characters, like fine hairs, boney adornments, rings, protruding teeth, and braided hair. The film, and the Blu-ray, are nothing short of showcases for digital artistry and the upper limits of what artists can construct and viewers can see in 2016. Human characters are a little smoother, with skin textures not quite as revealing, capturing only broader stubble and scars. Still, armor never wants for more depth and detail, and environments -- natural green terrain, warm wooden interior accents -- are always sharp and finely defined. Colors are lively, particularly greenery but also Stormwind blues, red blood, and orc green. The palette presents with excellent saturation and fine attention to subtle shade variation. Black levels are impressively deep, holding true and never crushing out details. Trace amounts of noise and aliasing are evident, though neither prove bothersome. This is an excellent presentation from Universal.

Warcraft Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Warcraft's Dolby Atmos soundtrack doesn't deliver an onslaught of overhead sounds, but it does deliver a good all-around listen that uses the top layer to compliment the more grounded and immersive action. As it is, the track presents and maintains a level of listening excellence that's effortlessly immersive as all sorts of combat and supportive sound effects saturate the listening area. Battle scenes are everything listeners would expect of a finely tuned modern track. Screams, sword clanks, crashes, and all variety of mayhem jumble together with excellent definition, delivery, and sense of space around the stage. Battles are quite the clatter, supported by potent bass and plenty of natural surround use, including that complimentary overhead layer. Bass thunders in other places, too, maintaining breathtaking depth and detail even at the very bottom end of the scale. Supportive details encircle the stage. Gusty winds and blowing debris, whispery incantations, and discrete movement of lighter and speedier elements keep the ears engaged and the speakers working for the duration. Musical definition is excellent, again presenting with wide space, wrapping surround detail, excellent clarity, and a complimentary low end. Dialogue is clear and center focused and plays with natural prioritization.

Warcraft Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Warcraft contains a large allotment of deleted scenes, a lengthy motion comic film, and many interesting featurettes. A DVD copy of the film and a voucher for a UV/iTunes digital copy are included with purchase.

• Deleted/Extended Scenes (1080p, 13:57 total runtime): Durotan & Orgrim Petition for Entry, Durotan Fights Dark Scar, Orcs Discuss Fel at the Campfire, Lothar Receives Booomstick at Ironforge, Callan & Khadgar Ride to the Lion's Pride Inn, Lothar Briefs Officers, Questions Medivh, King and Queen Talk on Balcony, Meeting of the Kingdoms, The City Prepares for War, Lothar Mourns, Garona Comforts Him, and Antonidas Asks Khadgar to Be the New Guardian.
• Gag Reel (1080p, 3:25).
• The World of Warcraft on Film (1080p): A six-part feature.
  
  
  • Origin Story (4:54): A quick look back at the game franchise that moves on to examine film origins, ensuring a movie experience that does right by the universe created in the games, world design, Duncan Jones' contributions to the film, and creating a balanced and emotional film.
  • The World of Talent (5:35): Discussing the actors who fill key roles in the film.
  • The World of VFX (5:09): How visual effects contributed to the film and made the world as depicted in the games come to life.
  • Outfitting a World (6:16): A brief glimpse into wardrobe.
  • The World of Mo-Cap (6:50): A discussion of how motion capture performances made the film's Orcs and some of the technical innovations that helped make the look complete.
  • The World of Stunts (5:06): As the title suggests, this piece examines the many stunts involved in making the movie.
• The Fandom of Warcraft (1080p, 6:36): A look at Blizzard's and Warcraft's die-hard fans.
• Warcraft: Bonds of Brotherhood Motion Comic (1080p, 53:47): An additional tale from the Warcraft universe. The piece is divided into five chapters.
• Warcraft: The Madame Tussauds Experience (1080p, 7:32): A close look at life-size figures and sets from the film, with emphasis on construction.
• ILM: Behind the Magic of Warcraft (1080p, 2:59): A look at several shots in various stages of completion.
• Warcraft Teaser - 2013 (1080p, 2:23): An extended version of a scene that's seen briefly at the beginning of the movie.

Warcraft Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Warcraft may lack more readily accessible storytelling chops, but it's a technical marvel and an entertaining venture if one can just go with it. It'll speak more to established fans than newcomers, and the filmmakers have seemingly taken care to get a lot of it right. It doesn't lack superficial identity, but take off the name and redesign some of the pieces and there's nothing all that original here. Take it for what it's worth and enjoy the effects, action, and core story. Universal's Blu-ray release of Warcraft features standout video and audio. Though absent a commentary track (a track featuring a few of the games biggest fans breaking down the movie would have made for an excellent addition), the supplemental department isn't otherwise lacking. Recommended.