#therefore bad

my biggest worry about this movie was that it would straightup not adapt the story it was supposedly about. but I'm very very happy that I was proven wrong! yes, Hera is the main character, but the iconic moments from the lore are there, and we get to see it from her perspective! everything, from Helm striking Freca, Wulf attacking Rohan, the Dunlendings being afraid of the "wraith" of Helm, his final stand on the Dike, Frealaf arriving after the long winter to save the day.

particularly when it comes to Helm, since he's probably the most well-know character, I think getting that outside pov was a good choice. he gets some character development, and is not portrayed as a perfect nice guy, but the outsider pov helps give him that "legend" status while allowing us to see him in other perspectives - as a father, as a king, as a leader, as a guy who made some very rash decisions.

going back to Hera, I know plenty of people are going to disagree with me, but I never got the sense that they were trying to make her a perfect "girlboss" type of character who overshadows everyone else. there's even a scene where she's kidnapped and has to get rescued herself. yes, she gets an unrealistic fight scene - but, honestly, it wouldn't have been very satisfying if she didn't get one because this is an animated movie where other characters get to do insanely unrealistic things. they do give her some moments that originally belonged to Helm and Frealaf (fighting while dressed in all white, killing Wulf) but since Helm and Frealaf still get their chance to shine, and it was for the sake of creating more cohesive and satisfying character arcs + overall plot, I can't say that I was bothered.

of course it's not that perfect. there are some additions and thematic elements that are kind of confusing. and there are other places in the movie where I would've liked more background/exposition. I wish we got to see more of Haleth and Hama before the war started. Frealaf is my favorite so of course I desperately wanted him to have more screen time. but ultimately these were smaller things that didn't ruin the overall movie for me.