A lot of the bad reviews here are about how the film did not respect the canon. Tears, finger gestures and other such nonsense. If you care more about the canon than the story, I guess you should not watch this film. However, if you like compelling characters, good animation and an epic storyline, then this is for you. I have read the books and I have played the games: whoever thinks there is a canon that holds them both is inside an illusion.
Now about the film. It's not perfect, but for me it was well close. The animation is good, barring some lazy 3D in some fight scenes, the voices are perfect, the story is beautiful and sad - the scene when he says he is also 70 was great, tons of action like in the games, but also focus on the actual morals and emotions of the characters, like in the books. The ending was epic, but very rushed. A lot of the film was setting it up, to see it end so abruptly was kind of jarring. Also logic was a bit strained there.
The story is a prequel, a bit of origin for Geralt, how he became such a goody two shoes, and also explaining why Kaer Morhen is in ruins in his time. The books are not clearly explaining how the hold was destroyed other than say it was a bunch of fanatics spurred and helped by mages, which is consistent with the film. I liked the Netflix Henry Cavill series, but the many characters and random timelines threw me off a little. This film brings a little normality to the franchise, even if it, too, has a lot of flashbacks.
Also, apparently, this film sets up the second season of the Witcher. I find the character of Kitsu intriguing, a seed for possible continuations, a creature of such power should have an effect on the world and, being a witcher/monster/elf hybrid, should have a life span allowing her to live to Geralt's time. At least the concept of elven witchers (perhaps bread to battle humans) is great and should be explored further.
Bottom line: keep these witchers coming! Can't wait for December 21.
Now about the film. It's not perfect, but for me it was well close. The animation is good, barring some lazy 3D in some fight scenes, the voices are perfect, the story is beautiful and sad - the scene when he says he is also 70 was great, tons of action like in the games, but also focus on the actual morals and emotions of the characters, like in the books. The ending was epic, but very rushed. A lot of the film was setting it up, to see it end so abruptly was kind of jarring. Also logic was a bit strained there.
The story is a prequel, a bit of origin for Geralt, how he became such a goody two shoes, and also explaining why Kaer Morhen is in ruins in his time. The books are not clearly explaining how the hold was destroyed other than say it was a bunch of fanatics spurred and helped by mages, which is consistent with the film. I liked the Netflix Henry Cavill series, but the many characters and random timelines threw me off a little. This film brings a little normality to the franchise, even if it, too, has a lot of flashbacks.
Also, apparently, this film sets up the second season of the Witcher. I find the character of Kitsu intriguing, a seed for possible continuations, a creature of such power should have an effect on the world and, being a witcher/monster/elf hybrid, should have a life span allowing her to live to Geralt's time. At least the concept of elven witchers (perhaps bread to battle humans) is great and should be explored further.
Bottom line: keep these witchers coming! Can't wait for December 21.