Since BfA is almost over I thought of making a thread where can people can talk about their favourites BfA cinematics (Warbringers, in-game cinematics, Saurfang’s cinematics, etc.).
As far as I’m concerned, the ending cinematic of the Siege of Boralus was my favourite one:
From a lore perspective, this cinematic marked the moment when Jaina proved herself to her people by saving Kul Tiras from annihilation, and in doing so she redeemed herself for her betrayal of Daelin. Seeing the legendary Kul Tiran fleet emerge from the mists was amazing. Throughout the questing experience we heard what a huge deal it was, what a game-changer it would be for the Alliance, and finally watching it on screen in its full might was great. We didn’t even see it in action because Ashvane just surrendered. She didn’t even try to fight, she knew her little pirate crew stood no chance against the might of the Kul Tiran fleet. Amazing moment. I am also glad that the Kul Tiran fleet is still intact in 8.3, hopefully we can see more of it in the future (probably not in Shadowlands because it’d be pretty hard to teleport an entire fleet to Hell).
I also loved the character development for Katherine. She was wise to understand that she was simply never meant to rule (indeed, under her reign Kul Tiras was torn apart by civil war). Admitting that you are not good at doing something is a sign of strength and wisdom, not weakness.
Finally, I really like how this cinematic is called “The Return of Hope”. That hope is Jaina, who saved Kul Tiras in its darkest hour. The main theme of the expansion in my opinion is proving Sylvanas wrong by showing that nobody can kill hope, so this cinematic is just perfect in that regard.
To be honest I also loved the Jaina Thros cinematic for the amazing character development it gave to Jaina and Katherine, but ultimately I prefer this one due to the display of strength from the legendary Kul Tiran fleet (coupled with Tandred’s badass line “Let’s show them what Kul Tirans are made of!”).
Also I should point out that there will probably be a final cinematic when Ny’alotha is released, but I don’t care about the Old God story so whatever.
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The slowly building climax is amazing. The communication with Rezan, the aid of the loa, and Zandalari fleet shown as super power was amazing.
It nicely hyped up arrival to Zandalar.
Other would be Rastakhan’s bargain with Bwonsamdi, which nicely highlighted his arc. As a guy that is ready to make everything for his people. After realizing his mistakes and desperately wanting to fix them.
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That was my most favorite…^^
rank 2 ist the bwonsamdi - Rastakhan bargain.
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I really loved the first deep dive video into Sarufang’s mind. This cinematic really drove home what Teldrassil did to the Horde, and I could very much emphazise with the feeling of just being done with all this, and just wanting it to end. That what was once important has become a farce with no point at all. That after all the bad things that happened along the way it was just enough. This might sound cynical, but I actually mean that. Old Soldier was the cinematic where my feelings most deeply mirrored the character’s… and that matters. Apart from that it was visually stunning, and recalling who Saurfang is and how sad it is to have him end this way was just great…
…as was the turnaround with Zekhan. The callbacks to father-son-relations on both ends, the affirmation that Saurfang was actually needed and that there was still a chance things would get better, if one stood up. Another day.
It didn’t pan out that way, and Saurfang’s storyline was a disappointing even to me in the end. But at that point? I saw the character whose journey I wanted to follow that addon. One who had first given up, but was supposed to find for a reason to keep living now, to move beyond the horrible stuff that came before.
I still really love this one. The rest not as much, with the benefit of hindsight, but the Old Soldier still moves me.
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I don’t know. It’s just so funny ^^
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Jaina Warbringers was pretty cool and so was the opening cinematic, where it seemed Anduin has finally gotten some development (him saying "time to take what’s rightfully ours concerning Lordaeron is still the high point of his character!) until it was revealed it was all just fake advertisment.
Now, I’m just gonna go with the SoB ending cinematic like Arctur. Kul Tiran fleet is just nice to look at.
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Old soldier. Unlike Wimbert i wasn’t disappointed from Saurfang’s arc.
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Ah I thought in-game cinematics.
Old Soldier was excellent indeed. But sadly later cinematics were quite disappointing. Allaince shpuld’ve got one. And Saurfang later decisions were not satisfying imo.
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I defended it for quite some time, but I think his character arc was kind of ruined by sacrificing himself in the end, for the same stuff he wanted to die for from the start… That’s why the later ones don’t hit the mark for me, anymore.
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My favorite cinematic, is this one:
Zul vs Rastakhan.
After witnessing what happened to Teldrassil, I had completely lost the will to play.
It felt like all of what Vol’Jin had agreed with Varian was now dead, as both of them.
Watching that cinematic, I felt like jumping back immediately.
Who are those two ?
Why are they fighting ?
Why is that guy addressing Bwomsamdi in such, manner ?
The only thing I knew was, this people had everything I admired in the Horde.
Thrall Horde I learned to love back in vanilla was about looking for a better tomorrow, far away from the shadows of the past.
In a different way, Princess Talanji reminded me of that.
After this I was on for one of the most beautiful places I ever seen.
Had no idea Troll culture could be this amazing.
Loved the subsequent raid, against G’hun.
It’s a shame it didn’t last long before we had to go back to the war campaign with Nathanos.
After that it was the Battle of Dazar’Alor, reminding me that there was a conflict still going and Sylvanas was our Warchief, not the Zandalari royal family.
How would BfA turned out if it was just a expansion where both factions agree on a temporary ceasefire to try to find a solution for that giant sword in Silithus and than both go on their separate ways to have their own narrative, in Kul-Tyras and Zandalar, only to be brought back together because of Queen Azshara, will never know.
Cheers.
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The one where Rastakhan dies.
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I don’t have the same interpretation. At Lordaeron he walked to his execution claiming his punishment at Ogrimar he walked to his sacrifice claiming his redemption.(and his punishment)
I’m not really sure how the challenge redeems him in any way, though. “My quest for glory and honor lead to horrible crimes. So I challenge Sylvanas to a duel of honor, hopefully exposing her as honorless, and that will change everything.” …what?
Really, I probably just don’t understand his journey as a character, but I can’t get my head around it. I personally thought his journey was about realizing that giving up is the coward’s way out, and that he has to make the change he wants to see. If he wants a better Horde, he should step up and be willing to lead, instead of following like a good soldier. The reason why he didn’t challenge Sylvanas for leadership would not only be that he doesn’t believe in the system anymore, but more importantly, that he just doesn’t want to lead, and has been a dead man waiting for his end since his son died.
And with “We don’t get to hide.” and his little speach about the Horde praising the wrong heroes at its very core, it was well underway in that direction.
And then… he chose suicide by Banshee and let others sort the mess out. His character’s journey? Really not important, because in the end it was just about exposing Sylvanas, never about what Saurfang learned.
And that’s why I feel quite disappointed by the ending. It makes Zarao right. Him moping about and trying to keep away were just a big waste of time, he could and should have challenged Sylvanas from the start. His character story isn’t about him at all, it is just a cheap way to frame the Horde reconciliation story once again, and when he isn’t needed anymore, he can die.
If you have a more favourable explanation that justifies him waiting the whole addon before finally challenging Sylvanas, I’d like to hear it.
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All jokes aside. It’s actually this one. Warning for spoilers and some irony. 
I prefer this one:
Also, uhm, thank GOD it’s not Sylvanas doing that. Now let’s hope we can avoid that for Shadowlands too.
I’ll second this one.
This is how Malfurion should always be… it’s a shame they’re not very consistent with his character.
Sylvanas did nothing wrong.
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Arthas did nothing wrong for the True Lich King death to the Trolls!
Before Teldrasil he believes in the war.After Teldrasil he knows that he drunk the blood again. What can he accomplish if he challenges Sylvanas and win after Tekdrasil?
Surrender? Dismantle the Horde? Lead a divided Horde to annihilation?
He challenges Sylvanas only after he knows that Anduin will stop the war if Sylvanas is removed. Before “Lost Honor” all he knows is “They will come for us. All of them”
Anduin confirms it"At the start of the war i thought we were fighting for peace"
I don’t think there was any reference that Anduin was wiling to stop the war before the battle of Lordaeron.
Saurfang spare him, Anduin opened the door.