Rating: 
Summary: Very Entertaining - Still a Sell-Out
Review: The fact that a decent attempt was finally made to capture Tolkien's life work into film is somewhat pleasing, however, the books themselves will never be mastered.I understand why Arwen's role had to be enlarged. The movie had to make money. It's still a sell-out no matter how one looks at it.There has been so much talk about the lengths that Peter went to, trying to be true to the original story, but there are still major embellishments that don't ring true to this old-time Tolkien fan. All in all... A dynamite movie. I take nothing away from that fact. I will see the next two and buy all the DVD's. Forsooth! The Fellowship of the Ring was that good!
Rating: 
Summary: An Oscar Injustice
Review: Having just seen "A Beautiful Mind," I am in--for lack of a better word--shock that this production (which will be nothing more than a footnote in cinematic history) beat LOTR for Best Picture. Peter Jackson's bold and vivid account of Tolkien's epic classic has singlehandedly resurrected the fantasy genre--an accomplishment more than worthy of Oscar's highest honor. For those who are unfamiliar with Tolkien's tale of Middle-earth (there still may be a handful of you out there), please note that I will refrain from discussing the details of LOTR in this review; there are literally hundreds of reviews on this site that summarize the plot of this superb film in minute detail. My only advice to the unintiated: buy the VHS (or DVD). Then sit back--with an open mind--and allow Tolkien's formidable, yet simple story (good vs. evil) sweep you away during a three-hour breathtaking cinematic experience. The film breathes life into Tolkien's beautiful but dangerous Middle-earth. Yes, some of the Tolkien "purists" may be disappointed that the movie made some "artistic" adjustments (no Tom Bombadil or Glorfindel, for example), but overall the film stays true to the majestic components of the story. And please don't be intimidated by the film's length: as Tolkien himself lamented in his "Forward to the Second Edition," the book (all 1,000 pages) is "too short." And for the "Fellowship of the Ring," the first installment of the LOTR trilogy, the movie itself--in its valiant effort to capture the scope and feel of Tolkien's masterpiece--is far, far "too short." Get this movie. Enjoy the year's TRUE Best Picture.
Rating:
Summary: It couldn't have been better
Review: This movie is perfect. From the beginning (the last alliance) and through the movie the only thing I could say about the movie was that Peter Jackson has done an exelent job. They have really managed to get everthing almost as good as Tolkien described it. Ofcourse, no movie can contain everything that is in the book. It would have been over four hours at least! The movie is also not too child friendly; it's exiting to watch. I can't wait for the next movie. I also recommend you all to watch the older Lord of the Rings (and the Hobbit) movies. They are quite good too.
Rating:
Summary: A Visually Stunning Epic With a Heart and a Story
Review: This is a wonderful film about friendship, honor, loyalty and sacrifice set against director Peter Jackson's visually stunning recreation of Tolken's world of Middle Earth. Elves, Hobbits, Dwarfs and Men are all brought together in the Fellowship to help young Hobbit Frodo (Elijah Wood) take the "One Ring" to Mordor where it was forged and destroy it. The stakes are high as the Dark Riders (Ring Wraiths) hear the call of the ring and pursue Frodo and his young friend Sam (Sean Astin) from the start as they are sent forward by Wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellon), who knows the power of the ring and it's temptations. The fate of all Middle Earth depends on their success.
There are wonderful performances in this beautifully filmed beginning of Frodo's journey. There is a scene early on in this film where Sam, who has made a promise to Gandolf to stay with Frodo, stops and tells Frodo solemly as they leave their beloved home in the Shire "If I take one more step it will be the furthest I have ever been from home". This sets the mood for the entire film. There is much danger ahead for them. Viggo Mortensen gives the grittiest performance as the Ranger Stryder, who comes to protect them from the Ring Wraiths, and the battle sequences rival anything in Braveheart or Gladiator. We learn later on as the fellowship is formed that Stryder is actually Aragorn, a rightful king of men reluctant to lead his people because of his family's long history with the "One Ring", and the weakness he feels may be in him as well.
Liv Tyler gives a fine performance as Arwenevenstar, an Elf Princess who saves Frodo from certain death and makes an even greater sacrifice for the love of Aragorn. Cate Blanchett also has a wonderful turn as Galadriel, Queen of the Elven world. Everything in this film is perfect. Peter Jackson balances the visual beauty of the film with the dazzling special effects and yet never forgets that this is a terrific STORY.
This is a film that inspires loyalty for all who have seen it. It is an epic that has everything and actually has something to say. It is how we choose to live that is important. At 178 minutes we are sorry to see the closing credits, even if we are treated to the beautiful Enya theme "May It Be". This is a truly great film that deserves the loyalty it inspires and is something really special. "The Two Towers" and "The Return of the King" were filmed at the same time in New Zealand for continuity and you will not be able to wait until December to continue our journey.
Perhaps because it is an epic of the heart, and not an epic of t-shirts and toys, is the reason it made such a "quiet" 800 millon dollars worldwide. A film of this scope which remains true to its moral center of honor and friendship, sacrifice and loyalty, is quite an achievement. Filming all three stories at once took a lot of love and dedication for those themes from both the director and the actors. It shows up on the screen and is the reason "Lord of the Rings" will always stand head and shoulders above the other so called "Blockbusters". This is a MUST OWN DVD!
Rating:
Summary: Good, Very good.
Review: *This review is for the theatrical version*
I am a big Lord of The Rings fan. And I think the movie was great. The acting was good, the costumes and props were well made with great attention to detail, and unlike other movies, the hordes of badguys are not all CG. Although, there are a few things I hoped would be in the movie from the book that are not. Examples: Tom Bombadil is missing, some dialogue between Gandalf and Saruman was changed, and there are other small things changed or taken out in the transformation from book to movie. Although if the movie were exactly like the book, it would be long enough to warrant an intermission. Still, it was a very good movie overall. I suppose 4.5 stars would be a more accurate reflection of my opinion, but I apparently can't do that. From what I hear, the DVD is going to have more footage, so I might not be disappointed after all. Good movie.
Rating:
Summary: best movie ever
Review: LOTR is for sure the best movie i have ever seen in my life beside the matrix, i watched it over 5 times in theaters, and i cant wait to get my hands on the DVD, ther are movies that dosnt makes you feel like you watching a movie, it makes you feel like its a real world and you are a part of this world, LOTR gives you that feeling
Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Movie....................Ever!
Review: The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring is just flat out the best or at least one of the best movies to ever come about this earth. First of all, the special effects were just amazing and so were all the sets (including makeup and costumes). Every scene was just so beautiful to the fullest extent. I don't know if the sets or s/f could be made any more better than they were. Second of all, the story, characters(including their acting), and the way the director chose out the perfect scenes to tell the story was superb. Third of all, I really enjoyed the length of the movie. Some people just go crazy over long movies (rare). 3-4 hour movies or more are great!!!! I did not want the Fellowship of the Ring to end (since it was so jaw droppingly good). I believe that The Two Towers will be just as great (releases Christmas of 2002 GO SEE IT!) and so will the 3rd (its called Return of the King right?releases: Christmas 2003.) Now you may be going crazy over which version of the DVD to buy..... You can't waste money when it comes to this movie. So, Later! -Sam the Man
Rating:
Summary: THE best movie... EVER MADE.
Review: This movie was fabulous. I had never read the book, but had several friends and other peers that have, and they were all very happy with the outcome of this film. It had a very involving plot that constantly kept you on the edge of your seat. (If you had the intellegence to appreciate such a plot) I've been reading some of these highly negative reviews on this movie and am amazed that these Jean Claude Van Damme lovers and Leonardo DiCaprio worshippers were even allowed to enter an actually good movie. This was an actual very good movie that didn't involve a sinking giant boat and mindless action with no plot (ie Blade, Mortal Kombat Annihilation). If you have an IQ greater to or equal to your shoe size and can appreciate a well done movie with top notch special effects, this is the movie for you... if you are lacking intellegence and can't comprehend or appreciate the greatness of this movie, then go away and leave this movie to the superior beings. Doctor M.A.D.
Rating:
Summary: Why I love this movie...
Review: ... Every word and every location and every detail. I guess that it's just not possible... sigh. They did a great job with this and I simply can't wait for the extended version, and I hope that they film more and make a more extended version.
I also noted someone saying that this film is too dark for children. ... ... I think that the movie was great and I'd advise you all to watch it more than once. For you that have trouble with really long movies like this, DVD and VHS are wonderful, because you can pause them, do something else and then come back. Ingenious. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Impressive
Review: I agree with most of the reviews that this picture is probably one of the best in a long time. As dedicated a Star Wars fan I am, I must say this film outdoes Star Wars (at least since the first one in '77, but that's another story). The only single fault I have is in the Hobbit Pippin's character portrayed as a dimwitted trouble maker who fell into the adventure. In fact, all the Hobbits bravely accepted the fate of the journey. Other than that, the character development is incredible and the special effects are fantastic and not overdone. Additionally, I think the director did an outstanding job of compressing the movie. Sure Tom Bombadil added to the story line, but his character is not, by any stretch, necessary to the story. Also, showing us scenes that are merely eluded to or infered in the book made the movie incredibly intense and gave me greater empathy for the characters (eg; the Orc fight at the end). Tolkien, in the book, pulls off the "Hitchcock" flare of suspense by inferences to what we assume is happening elswhere, but the by adding it to the movie, the director keeps us involved. Per the book, I was expecting a fairly entertaining story from the movie. What I got was an adventure leaving me wanting more. If the director can make such an intense movie from the material of the first "book," then I can't wait to see the rest where the action is constant.
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