The computer generated imagery (CGI) is the only good thing in Warcraft, an adaptation of the cult game phenomenon of the same name from Blizzard Entertainment.

In Warcraft, we finally see some above-average acting performances in a movie that is adapted from a video game. Unfortunately, the performances come mostly from the computer-generated characters instead of those played by human actors.

The advanced computer generated imagery (CGI) manages to create unbelievably realistic and detailed depictions of Azeroth, a fantasy world in which the events in the Warcraft game largely take place. Mythological creatures, races and animals also look very real and life-like.

For example, the depiction of the orcs, one of the major races in Warcraft, with their gigantic yet agile limbs and pitbull-like fangs, is very solid as it gives each member a distinctive soul and unique characteristics that immediately catch the viewers’ attention.

It is also remarkable to see that no two orcs look the same. Each of the orc characters has a different body type and clothing accessories in accordance with their clans. While the orcs are certainly gigantic, they also look cuddly and cute like bulldog puppies, which makes them all the more adorable.

One of the sweetest orcs in this movie is Durotan (Toby Kebbell), the chieftain of a small orc clan called the Frostwolf. With the other clan leaders, Durotan leads his followers through a portal created by Gul’dan (played by Asian-American heartthrob Daniel Wu), the main antagonist of the film and a powerful sorcerer who succeeds in taming the gigantic orcs.

Through the portal, which is powered by a greenish ray called the Fel, the orcs plan to attack and conquer Azeroth because their own world, Draenor, is dying. Durotan also sees that Gul’dan has become much too powerful and will bring nothing to the orc race but devastation and death in the future.

Then there is the human race in Azeroth and this is the part where Warcraft loses its spirit. While the costumes for the humans are no less impressive than those for the orcs and other races, almost all the actors and actresses who play the human characters put in horrible and boring performances.

The main protagonist, Lothar (Travis Fimmel), plays the supposedly charismatic warrior defending Azeroth from the attacking orcs. His character should have been similar to that of Aragorn in the Lord Of The Rings franchise. However, Fimmel seems uninterested in living up to his part.

The heir: Durotan holds his newborn son in the palm of his hand as he is preparing himself to betray Gul’dan.

Lothar is not actually the main protector of the Azeroth realm. This is the role of a mage, or damage-dealing spell caster, called the Guardian (Ben Foster). The Guardian lives in a tower thousands of kilometers high above the clouds and only the king can summon him.

He sounds to be pretty important, powerful and difficult to deal with, but what we see instead is a clumsy, all smiling, hipster-looking, latex-wearing and skinny Nordic-looking guy who seems to be very fragile.

Then there is the king of Azeroth (Dominic Cooper), the only person who has the power and authority to summon the Guardian. This king personally leads his troops into battle. Instead of looking formidable, however, this king looks and sounds like Ned Flanders of The Simpsons.

 Amid all these characters is a young apprentice mage Khadgar (Ben Schnetzer), whose memorable contributions to the story consist mostly of unfunny and meaningless comical moments.

The only strong non-CGI-enhanced character in Warcraft is Garona (Paula Patton), a half-orc, half-human mixed breed. Patton really gives the movie a breath of fresh air with her strong depiction of Garona.

The movie becomes more and more unwatchable as it progresses through its 123-minute duration as a result of the constant jumping from one place to another and the rushed narrative introducing one character after another.

Royal highness: Ruth Negga plays Taria Wrynn, the queen of Azeroth who accepts the half-orc half-human Ganora to join the human ranks.

It is surprising that Warcraft could end up so bad in terms of acting and storytelling considering the talented people behind the camera. There is director Duncan Jones who captivated critics with his 2011 science fiction hit Source Code and one of the screenplay writers is Charles Leavitt, the man in charge of the critically acclaimed Blood Diamond in 2006.

At times, Warcraft finds its magic, particularly in scenes involving the orcs but this happens only once in a while. Most of the time, we just want to see the human actors get off the screen.

— Photos Courtesy of Universal Pictures
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Warcraft

(Universal Pictures, 123 minutes)

Directed by Duncan Jones

Screenplay by Charles Leavitt, Duncan Jones

Based on Warcraft by Blizzard Entertainment

Starring:  Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster, Dominic Cooper, Toby Kebbell and Daniel Wu