WoW Moviewatch: The Worgen
by Michael Gray 
Jan 4th 2010 at 12:00PM
Most machinima videos tend to clock in around 2 or 3 minutes, with even the story-driven movies reaching maybe 5 minutes on average. It takes a lot of work to film and render even a single minute of footage, which usually makes the shorter movies more manageable and effective. So, it was with a certain amount of curiosity that I fired up The Worgen for the first time.
The Worgen was created by Alexander Egeskog with the help of about a half-dozen people. The ultimate question for a movie like this is "Does the script and acting justify the longer film?" In my mind, I think it absolutely does. While some of the pacing could probably have been a little faster, I think the framework of the story sets up compelling reasons for a longer, more detailed approach to the film. Since the narrative is relayed from a father to a son, a certain amount of meandering and epic pacing is appropriate.
Ultimately, The Worgen was an engaging film to watch. I'm curious see what you thought of the movie, also, so please be sure to drop some comments if you have any feedback.
Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an e-mail at machinima AT wow DOT com.Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, WoW Moviewatch
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Valt Jan 4th 2010 12:18PM
Well im no movie expert but I have to say that was amazing video. It really showed the effort that was made for it.
It had high production value and I can boldly say that it could even be fitting to be made by Blizzard themselves. Really nice find. 5 stars to the maker!
One of the few "longer" youtube clips I've actually watched till end.
And I dont usually watch long stuff.
*clap*
alpha5099 Jan 4th 2010 12:20PM
I'm curious to see how much this remains relevant once Cataclysm comes out. The stuff about Arugal has been confirmed by Blizzard, but aside from the reference in the trailer to the Worgen and the Nelf being ancient allies, there doesn't seem to be much about the Scythe in the current Worgen backstory. I'm very interested to see where Velinde fits into it all.
joe Jan 4th 2010 12:44PM
This whole storyline is actually confirmed in there quests listed in game, and i do have to say this machinima pulls off each storyline perfectly
joe Jan 4th 2010 12:47PM
and sorry i didn't mention it but if you take a horde character over to Silverpine you will see the quest lines involving this. http://www.wowhead.com/?zone=130#quests Most of the quests in the zone in fact involve one aspect or another from this storyline
alpha5099 Jan 4th 2010 7:48PM
@ Joe
No, I understand that all this stuff is in the game already. But it's also possible there will be some retcons to the worgen storyline, so I'm interested to see what role Velinde will play in Cataclysm, given that her fate is the biggest mystery about the worgen and there's been almost nothing to show what role, if any, she'll be playing.
Jack Draven Jan 4th 2010 12:22PM
Wow. That was epic. Very well done. I felt that the voice overs in the very beginning before the story telling began fell a little flat, but as soon as the story began the voice overs caught up with the graphics and most excellent music to make a superb video.
Lavoz Jan 4th 2010 12:23PM
I think it's very well done. I really like it when machinima makers take the lore ingame that so many people forget over time or just click through, and make a short movie out of it. It clarifies and summarizes things up and bring to us some of the best stories WoW has offered us. Like the machini about Arthas, taken from the dialogue from Warcraft III. Kudos to the maker! Keep it up.
Yakuko Jan 4th 2010 12:31PM
Anyone else get the impression that the second guy was like "aw christ, there he goes off again..." *spaces out during the whole story, then* "Cool story, bro."
Holycorpse Jan 4th 2010 12:36PM
One of the best made WoW movies I've ever seen for sure.
Yesiamzack Jan 4th 2010 12:46PM
omg! Dude, amazing ! I love it! Awesome job with all the music too...Narnia, Wolverine, Meet Joe Black...something else I recognized but couldn't put my finger on. All very fantastic. Nice explanations of it all too. I'm thoroughly stoked now about worgen...more so than before. Awesome movie :D
Glaras Jan 4th 2010 12:47PM
A good film. Very nice retelling. The voice acting between the 2 characters, however, could have used a touch more "differentiation". It would have been impossible to tell, had there been no visual queues, who was talking. In fact, if all we were doing was listening to this film, it would sound like someone telling *himself* the story.
It's a minor quibble, tho. Kudos to the artist.
Matthias Schäfer Jan 4th 2010 12:52PM
Probably the best machina I ever saw. Grats!
Only two minor nitpicks: The voice of the 2. (older) guy could have been deeper to differate better from the narrator. Also it would have been nicer if the maker would have used a higher textue setting (better hardware required of course). Most textures in the close-ups were pretty blurry and are much better in the real game.
Lon C Jan 4th 2010 12:52PM
This is almost tempting enough to make me want to roll a worgen when Cataclysm comes out..... Almost.
The staff at Blizz should take a good look and this and consider offering the maker a job.
Angrycelt Jan 4th 2010 12:54PM
Very well done. Hands up from everyone who thinks that Scythe's gonna be reappearing in Cataclysm?
dkhar Jan 4th 2010 5:13PM
Im hoping it is, maybe behind the Greymane wall, or whatever its called. Where the starting zone for the worgen is going to be.
Bryterside Jan 4th 2010 1:00PM
That was really good. I wish there were more lore movies.
Alexander Jan 4th 2010 1:31PM
Excellent way to take the quests in game and put them into a form for everyone to enjoy. This pretty much takes three questlines and puts it in cinematic form.
In short: AWESOME!
Jason Jan 4th 2010 1:33PM
Wow, this beats any blood elf music video or other such garbage any day great find. I too wish there were more like this.
Jay Jan 4th 2010 2:01PM
Really enjoyed it, great job!!
Skyfire Jan 4th 2010 2:22PM
I guess I did not see the same video as the rest above me did. I appreciate the effort the film maker put in, but best ever....not even in my top 20. This was a very pedestrian and uninspired video. Blind remains the best wow related video I have ever seen, I rewatch it often. I have no desire to watch this again, nor would I advise anyone to waste the 10 minute run time.