The Most Pleasant Surprises of 2024 and 'War of the Rohirrim' Reactions
House of R
Deep Dive
What are the hosts' pleasant surprises of 2024?
Mallory Rubin's top three were The Penguin, Wicked, and X-Men 97. Joanna Robinson's top three were Wicked, The Three-Body Problem, and Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy. Both hosts were pleasantly surprised by these properties exceeding their expectations in terms of story, characters, and overall enjoyment.
Why did the hosts choose Wicked as one of their pleasant surprises of 2024?
Both hosts were initially skeptical about Wicked due to concerns about casting and expectations. However, the final product was delightful and exceeded their expectations, making it a pleasant surprise.
Why did the hosts include The Three-Body Problem in their pleasant surprises?
The Three-Body Problem on Netflix was a pleasant surprise for Joanna because it was a well-anticipated property that she had high hopes for. Despite initial concerns, the show was engaging and enjoyable, making her appreciate the Tolkienian themes and world-building.
What was the hosts' reaction to the Lagerstar workers' accent choices in 'The War of the Rohirrim'?
Joanna was confused and slightly enraged by the inconsistent accents given to characters in the film. Helm Hammerhand's sons, Hama and Hedda, had posh English accents, while the crown prince, Halit, had a northern accent, which felt out of place and unnecessary.
Why did the hosts feel the need to cover 'The War of the Rohirrim' on the podcast?
Despite their mixed feelings about the film, the hosts felt it was important to discuss 'The War of the Rohirrim' because of its connection to The Lord of the Rings universe and the opportunity to explore lesser-known Middle-earth lore. They also wanted to provide their audience with a thorough analysis of the film's strengths and weaknesses.
Why did the hosts feel that 'The War of the Rohirrim' could have been better?
The hosts felt that 'The War of the Rohirrim' lacked depth in character development and relationships, which are crucial elements in The Lord of the Rings universe. They also noted that the film's animation quality was uneven and the story felt rushed, especially in comparison to the rich lore it aimed to adapt.
Why does the hosts' discussion of Helm Hammerhand invoke Game of Thrones references?
The hosts drew parallels between Helm Hammerhand's actions and Game of Thrones characters due to the similar themes of leadership, conflict, and the moral complexity of characters. These references were used to highlight the missed opportunities in 'The War of the Rohirrim' to develop more nuanced characters and storylines.
Why was the inclusion of Saruman and Gandalf in 'The War of the Rohirrim' controversial?
The inclusion of Christopher Lee's voice for Saruman and the introduction of Gandalf felt unnecessary and potentially distracting. While the hosts appreciated the connective tissue to the larger Lord of the Rings universe, they felt it could have been better to focus more on the story of Rohan and the conflict at hand without these cameo appearances.
What is the hosts' opinion on the potential future Lord of the Rings films after 'The War of the Rohirrim'?
The hosts are cautiously optimistic about future Lord of the Rings films, particularly 'The Hunt for Gollum' directed by Andy Serkis. They believe that Warner Brothers should take more time to develop these stories and avoid the haste that affected 'The War of the Rohirrim'. They also advise focusing on deeper character development and more nuanced storytelling rather than just hitting familiar notes.
Why did the hosts feel that 'The War of the Rohirrim' should have been a miniseries?
The hosts felt that 'The War of the Rohirrim' would have benefitted from more episodes to fully explore the rich history and lore of Rohan, the characters, and the conflict with the Dunlendings. A miniseries would have allowed for more in-depth storytelling and character development, making the narrative more compelling.
- The Penguin, Dune, and X-Men '97 were among Mallory's top surprises.
- Wicked and Three-Body Problem were among Joanna's top surprises.
- Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy was a surprising delight for Joanna.
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