Warcraft: the Beginning

Director Duncan Jones's long-gestating adaptation of popular video game World of Warcraft centres on a war between the mythical land of Azeroth and an invading army of orcs. Using computer effects to conjure an astounding visual experience, Jones clearly understands his source material, creating something that feels legitimately torn from the world of the game. However, an enormous number of characters and information means the film becomes a dense affair, which can be a trying experience for newcomers and experts alike. Crucially, it results in a sizeable cast having a limited time to develop their roles, which undermines audience investment during the climactic battle scenes. The actors struggle on against the tide of exposition, with Ben Foster's wizard and Toby Kebbell as conflicted orc warrior Durotan standing out in a cast of largely muted performances. Another hour may have made this potential franchise-starter a more interesting prospect, but in this form it is a disappointment.