Rating: 
Summary: AWESOME! This is the icing on the cake!!!
Review: AWESOME is the one word I can think of to describe this instant classic.But I am not here to extol the wonders of "The Fellowship of the Ring" as much as to clarify the confusion some reviewers might have out there. What I want to clarify is this: Yes, New Line Cinema is releasing 3 versions of FOTR. The first is the theatrical cut (meaning: the exact same movie that you saw in theaters) on August 6. This is a 2-disc set that includes the specials "Welcome to Middle Earth" (by Houghton-Mifflin), "Passage to Middle Earth" (Sci-Fi channel behind-the-scenes special, and "The Quest for the Ring" (Fox special).... Then you have the 4-disc Special Extended Edition (*which is what this DVD is*) which includes an additional 30 minutes of footage incorporated into the film. The add'l scenes include more Aragorn back story, more "character moments," and a slightly different introduction to hobbits as narrated by Bilbo Baggins. Discs 1 & 2 are the film and commentaries of more than 30 participants including Peter Jackson, Richard Taylor, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Ian McKellen, Howard Shore and much more. Discs 3 and 4 contain over 6 hours of in-depth behind-the-scenes footage. Disc 3 is "From Book to Vision" which explores the screenplay, design, special effects, costumes, armory, locations, storyboards, etc. Disc 4 is "From Vision to Reality" with features such as "Bringing Characters to Life," "A Day in the Life of a Hobbit," "Principal Photography: Stories from the Set," as well as picture galleries and much more! The 3rd version is the Collectors Gift Set (also released on November 12th) which includes the Special Extended Edition DVD, 2 collectible Argonath bookends and The National Geographic special DVD - "Beyond the Movie." So the question is: how big of a fan are you? Casual fans may just want the theatrical version DVD. More avid fans (who could never get enough of The Lord of the Rings) will want the theatrical version DVD (to be released on 8/6) and the SEE. Avid fans and collectors will most likely want the theatrical version and the Collectors Gift Set. The wonderful thing is having choices. The beauty about these releases is that they DO NOT OVERLAP. Meaning: what you get in the theatrical version DVD does not show up again in the SEE DVD. They are completely stand-alone. All I can say is, thanks to New Line and Peter Jackson for such a wonderful (early) Christmas present!!!!
Rating:
Summary: a wonderful visual complement to a great book series
Review: This truly was a movie based on the books. This means that people who see it will have to have half a brain and more than the usual 90 minute movie attention span to appreciate it. Many people complain that if the book wasn't read beforehand the movie was unfollowable. I disagree. I had read The Fellowship of the Ring years before and barely remembered it at all going into the movie, and had no problems at all. I found myself just as spellbound as my friends next to me (who know the books by heart). The movie inspired me to reread the whole series. For me one of the biggest pluses of this movie was how un-entertainment value oriented it was. Phil Jackson didn't throw in stupid cheap effects like so many movies do to add "entertainment value." The violence in the books could have been abused in a gory manner. While some scenes still were not for the faint-at-heart, everything was done tastefully. This movie coming out around the same time as Harry Potter saddens me, because there are many incorrect and unfair comparisons made. While I love the Harry Potter books as much as the next person (though I found the movie somewhat disappointing), many people seem to have things backwards. If anything, Harry Potter would be a takeoff on Lord of the Rings, not the other way around. LOTR had been a hit decades before Harry Potter came out, and the movies were in the making when Harry Potter mania was just beginning. People calling The Fellowship of the Ring any sort of "spinoff" are horribly wrong. The Fellowship of the Ring deserves the highest marks and I can't wait for the next segment of the series to come out.
Rating:
Summary: An Absolute Classic - Period!
Review: Now that the inevitable hype upon its initial release has subsided, the time is right to properly appreciate and marvel at director Peter Jackson's classic masterpiece. For masterpiece it most certainly is and my personal hope is simply that the forthcoming sequels live up to what has gone before! Firstly however, it is pertinent to dissect the various criticisms that have been levelled at the film from some uninformed quarters. To slavishly emulate JRR Tolkien's original work would be virtually impossible; the book is far too detailed to allow such an undertaking but what has been delivered is a superb adaptation that maintains the sprit of the original publication. (Indeed, the original novel suffered from more than it's fair share of padding and the removal of sojourns such as the group's meeting with Tom Bombadil do not detract from the overall tale). The screenplay, in presenting the story, does indulge in poetic licence - but within the parameters of the overall theme. So to those who moan "it's not like the book", use a little commonsense eh?! Likewise, the "anti-climatic ending" - anyone with even a modicum of intelligence will appreciate that this is Part One of a Trilogy, an ongoing story, so if you're more disposed to a "crash, bang, wallop" finite ending then you're probably better off watching the latest Arnie release! Yes, it certainly leaves the viewer hankering as to know what transpires next but all will be revealed in December's forthcoming "The Two Towers". And finally, as to the whole "Star Wars vs. LOTR" debate, for my money there really is no comparison. Effects-wise "Star Wars" may have been ahead of its time on original release but, please, take just a moment to consider the simplistic storyline and shallow "characterisation" before even contemplating the remote possibility it could compare on any level with LOTR! So, what is it all about? At the beginning of time, nine magical rings are forged that bestow upon the various races within Middle Earth the power by which to rule. But a further, secret ring is also forged by the Dark Lord Sauron that has the power to bind all nine together and thereby plunge Middle Earth into a future of darkness and despair under his domination. Fate decrees that a young Hobbit, Frodo Baggins, eventually inherits this magical ring and who then undertakes to destroy it - and therefore Eternal Darkness - once and for all within the fires of Mount Doom, the place it was originally forged and the only location where it might be destroyed. So begins his perilous journey from within the comfortable safety of The Shire to the evil domain of Mordor assisted by a motley collection of fellow Hobbits, Elves, Dwarves and Gandalf the Wizard - all the while insatiably pursued by the terrifying agents of Sauron. So the adventure begins as we witness the intrepid band on their journey and all that they encounter on their way to the outskirts of Mordor, wherein the ring must eventually be destroyed. . Ian Mckellen is absolutely outstanding as Gandalf the wizard, the personification of the paternal grandfather we'd all like, the focal point of wisdom and guidance and his omission from the recent Oscar Winners was a grave misjudgement of the Academy's behalf. All round the casting is inspired but it is slightly disappointing that both Liv Tyler and Cate Blanchett's contributions are little more than cameo roles - this should be resolved however in the sequels. The imagery is breathtakingly stunning and the choice of location (principally New Zealand) genuinely inspired; wonder in awe as the camera sweeps into the depths of the mines thousands of feet deep or soars above the glorious landscapes - and the obligatory special effects are the pinnacle of the art. At three hours duration the film may appear lengthy but I for one remained absolutely captivated throughout and I defy anyone with a smidgeon of imagination not to be enthralled likewise. Faultless save for a few of those annoying "humorous" interjections Hollywood seems unable to resist entwining into plots, Lord Of The Rings is simply, a thoroughbred classic in the real sense.
Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Film of the New Age!!!
Review: This is a story about a friendship. About the races of Middle Earth coming together to fight a common evil. With the events of 9/11, it was movies like Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter that made us feel like there was still some magic left in this world. That hopes and dreams are still possible, that they do exist. I love all of the characters in the movie and in the book (even though I haven't finished it yet). Peter Jackson does an excellent job of taking us to an age long forgotten. An age where magic existed in all things in life. An Age that we all wished we could visit and perhaps partake of in our own dreams. And of course we cannot forget Mr. Tolkien for creating it in the first place. Without him, our hopes could not have been renewed. Our strengths could not have been replenshied. And our perceptions that we can live for a better world will never be lost.
Rating:
Summary: A CLASSIC FROM BEGINNING TO END!!
Review: This was born to be a classic. I still don't get why people are giving it 4 out of 5 stars, just because of it's length. I mean' there are a lot of movies that are much longer. Both times I saw this movie, I couldn't even notice it's length. And plus, it's not like, just because a movie is long, that means it's slow. Through my opinion, I believe "LORD OF THE RINGS" was amazingly fastpaced, because it has so much to tell. Which I think is amazing, because even though it has so much to tell, it still leaves out a large quantity of the book itself. But nevertheless, I belive this movie would be great for a person who's read the book(Such as I), or even someone who hasn't read the book.
I am still mad about Ian McEllen not winning the Best Supporting Actor Award(I didn't seen "IRIS", but even if I had, I probably still would have not agreed with the Academy voters)! Even though I knew it was coming, I still believe "LORD OF THE RINGS" deserved Best Picture("A BEAUTIFUL MIND" was more 4 1/2 stars material). But I think in the beginning it deserved the Oscars it won in the end. OVERALL Each catergory on a scale of 1-5 stars Acting: 5 stars (1 star)
Plot/storyline(adaption): 5 stars (1 star)
Visual effects: 5 stars (1 star)
Dramatic force: 5 stars (1 star)
Layout: 5 stars (1 star) SUM: 25 out of 25 stars (5 stars) A bit of advice: wait till the "'SPECIAL EXTENDED' LORD OF THE RINGS" DVD, it comes out on Nov. 12th. It has a total of 4 discs and there 30 minutes of extra footage added in the film on the first disc, also, there is 6 hours of special features on the other three discs!!
Rating:
Summary: Best impression on a book of all time.....and movie!
Review: This movie is one of the best movies of all time!!!!
This movie has a great impression on the book fantasy novel lord of the rings the fellow ship of the rings and the hobbit!(which I read)This movie is so intense, oh and the sound track is rad!!!!!BUy it fantasy actioin emotion story history line fans!!!Youll love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I reccomend it!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Finest Fantasy ever made: among the finest films EVER
Review: A MASTERPIECE! This challenging novel, for which epic is too small a word, comes to life in a thrilling and gloriously beautiful adaptation of Tolkien's much beloved novel. Told with respect and grace, it captures the atmosphere of the story with clarity and combines scenes of peace and beauty with thrilling moments of action and terror. Elijah Wood is the angelic Frodo, whose innocent air is perfect in this role of a young man who must bear the burden of the world's most terrible secret and powerful weapon. Charged with this immense responsibility, a small team of companions accompany him on his quest to destroy this terrible and tempting treasure. Ian McKellen got robbed of an Oscar and Elijah Wood got robbed of a nomination. An absolute must see! If you have never read the novels, never fear. You will truly enjoy this exquisite and extraordinary film which builds its alien yet familiar world with a sense of reality never achieved in any overblown Lucasfilm story. LOTR is an immense achievement.
Rating: 
Summary: Terrific yet.......
Review: Yet it was a little to long to sit in a theater and enjoy it. I haven't seen it on video but I saw it in theater.
It must be twice the better on video you can actually pause and stop it and not miss things.
This movie was hyped up to unbelievable proportions by fans and t.v personalities, and of course all the publicity this movie got.
I was in a tif to see this movie. Saw it and was like, whoa this wasn't as good as I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong it was awesome! I loved the graphics the fast paced action, there was always something going on in the movie.
I can not compare it to the book, but I know this was a good movie and it is worth the watch, fantasy or not fantasy fan.
It is a cliff hanger though, so you have to watch the second movie or you'll be out in the cold.
The movie is awesome-ly acted, terrifically fast paced and well worth the money.
Rating:
Summary: Happy Hobbit Feet
Review: Peter Jackson's wonderful sequel to Lord Of The Dance is a bounty of visual amazement for all lovers of those funny Irish jigs that came into style a few years back. This time, the director takes on the extra challenge of presenting the dance numbers in a mystical Celtic setting that embodies all the elements of fantasy found in Irish dance. We are treated to this new interest in fantasy early on when Frodo and Sam strut their stuff against a backdrop of traditional flutes and penny whistles. The two dance up quite a storm at Bilbo's birthday - a neat set-piece full of Jackson's "little people." Jackson is quite daring in his use of midgets and dwarves (Gimli and his family) in many a dance number - truly an innovation! Its quite impressive how fleet of foot those little guys are! Later on there is a lovely and romantic pas de deux between Aragorn and Arwen and a hilarious old-time "Wizard's Waltz" featuring veterans Gandalf and Saruman. But the real stand out here is Legolas who appears to magically float upon the snow during the Cahadras mountain tune! Such moves!
Rating:
Summary: cool
Review: I saw this movie 32 times in the theartre. It was and is the best. I loved it just as much the 32nd time as the 1st. I recommend this movie for everyone who likes good movies. I recommend the book as well since it is better than the movie. Thank You
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