The world of J.R.R.
Tolkien, brought to the screen by Peter Jackson, continues to cast a shadow over fantasy cinema…
This article first appeared onDen of Geek UK.
One realm to rule them all.
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And now Duncan JonesWarcrafthas proved the latest victim amongst film critics.
And that came from the time when those stories were written.
So why cant other screen fantasies hold up against Middle-earths pedestal?
Well, maybe we need to first look at why Middle-earth is there in the first place.
You obviously must point to J.R.R.
Tolkiens original source material, which even in the literary world already lords over its counterparts.
This also handily explainsHarry Potters film success.
But merely saying Tolkien kept things relatively brief doesnt cut it when explaining his books timeless appeal.
They would be almost unbearably hyperbolic if they werent basically true.
Tolkien didnt just create worlds and characters.
Other adaptations, because of the debt they owe to Tolkien, always risk feeling too similar or derivative.
Otherwise, the best position was to be Disney and make an animated fairy tale.
This world of wonder is fading even as we the readers and viewers discover it.
The final 20 minutes arent just the hobbits returning to the Shire and Frodo leaving Middle-earth.
And each film was also good for at least $950 million at the box office.
A closer sword and sorcery relative toLord Of TheRingslies right behindClashSnow White And The Huntsman.
Warcraftis helmed by a talented filmmaker who truly loves theWarcraftuniverse.
Such moves only aided the films overall cohesiveness.
Sequel talk is still on the agenda.
And at leastWarcrafthas its messy ambition.
Hopefully, the planned reboot will sort things out there.
Also starring Jeremy Irons?
So how does a different fantasy film emerge from the shade that Middle-earth put over all the competition?
Frankly, itd have to be another masterpiece to do it.
The problem is the cohesion of vision or sincerity of intent from these other would-be franchises.
How about Warner Brothers making a six-film saga out of the King Arthur legends?
If Middle-earth has a successor, itsGame Of Thrones.
Based on George R.R.
Big screen fantasy, especially live-action, is very hard to do well.
We might have good fantasy films in the near future.
But to move on from Middle-earth?
That might be just a fools hope for now.
