Rating: 
Summary: Screw the Academy-this was the Best Picture!
Review: Peter Jackson can't be complimented enough for this film. Who'd have thought this massive book could be so well adapted into a 3 hr film? The trilogy was my favorite book for years and I read it twice, at 13 and again at 23. I'd forgotten parts of the book like Tom bombadil but what's on screen captures the feel and spirit of the books, like the scene in Rivendell where Bilbo demands the ring back. Like the books, you're drawn into this vividly imagined world with larger than life characters on an epic quest against impossible odds. Throw in great set design, a haunting score, well staged battle scenes, heartbreaking moments, strong performances all around, especially Ian McKellen and Viggo Mortensen, and it's ridiculous that this lost out to "A Beautiful Mind". Alright, I'm partial but let's hope the Academy makes up for the oversight next year and awards the third segment. The best film I've seen in a long time.
Rating:
Summary: Bringing Tolkien to life in a wonderous way....
Review: Peter Jackson captures both your heart and your imagination with the film version of "Lord of the Rings" - the first in a series of three films which promises to bring the J.R. Tolkien classic to life, on the screen. LOTR was the foundation for me in a lifetime of love affairs with books - first read in 1967 at the age of 12, it changed my tastes from childhood readings to adult fare; it swept me up in the powerful imagery of Tolkien's vivid vision of an alternate world.
I fretted all year at the thought of the film, and was pleased at the choice of director, and that no stars with names that are household words were to be featured in the roles. I could not resist seeing the film on Day 1, and in all 3+ hours, I was captivated by the screen. I attended with a friend who had never read LOTR, and was able to realize how well Jackson has succeeded in helping the film exceed expectations of lifelong Tolkien fans, as well as introducing the epic to those who are unfamiliar with the story. The cinematography and special effects are quietly brilliant, the use of the unspoiled territory of New Zealand was a marvelous choice - the Shire is particularly well captured in the film, as is the lair of Saruman, who is chilling in his role of a brilliant genius turned evil. Possibly his best techniques, of the many used in the film, was the way he conveyed the evil lust that overcomes those who are tempted by the power that possession of the ring entails. Seeing Bilbo, Baromir and Galadriel all succumb to the NEED for the ring through the eyes of Gandalf and Frodo was chilling, and better conveyed visually here than in the book. Jackson does not let the special effects overwhelm your sense of story, much as Lucas did in the first Star Wars trilogy. The music is perfectly adapted to both story and cinematography, and was a highlight of the film for me.
Jackson captured the spirit of the story - the teamwork and love that grows between comrades faced with insurmountable odds; in particular, he makes the odd-looking Frodo (Elijah Wood) very slowly into the character that many noble men and women will place their trust in. Frodo and Samwise' (Sean Astin, excellent in his role) friendship is real and transcends the screen. The larger than life roles of Gandalf and Aragon/Strider (Ian McKellan and Viggo Mortensen) were well cast and memorable - both actors became their roles, and both captured the sense of honor that those who protect the endangered hobbits on their noble quest, must have. McKellan particularly, although nominated for a supporting actor role, made Gandalf his own. Here's a role that could not be recast successfully again; McKellan is the ultimate Gandalf. Jackson has succeeded in directing successful characterization on the screen, and sacrificing some bit players from the book to the texture of the main plot. There is no question that this film succeeds on the level of epics, and we are fortunate in this decade, to be able to keep it alongside "Crouching Tiger"...while waiting for the saga to continue to unfold. Bravo!
Rating:
Summary: ONE WORD: PERFECTION!!!
Review: Peter Jackson clearly made the best possible movie using Tolkien's work. He worked with joy and dedication, as all the cast did. The reverence and respect for Tolkien's work is clear in every frame of the picture. The cinematography is outstanding, the few changes made to translate the book to screen were not violent and frustrating, the somewhat added Hollywoodian melodramtic scenes fit into the context.
I only feel sorrow for having to wait one year to watch THe Two Towers.. I would gadly spent nine hours sitting in the theater to watch the three movies in a row, no trouble at all!! Then I would buy the DVD with the three movies and all the extra scenes tha must exist!!! I read the books before, but I'm not a Tolkien worshipper or an avid RPG player. I liked the movie by what it is: simply, the best ever fantasy movie.
Rating:
Summary: Thank you, Peter Jackson
Review: Peter Jackson deserves the heartfelt thanks of those who revere JRR Tolkien's trilogy. Upon learning that LOTR was being filmed, I feared the worst, because of the realization of the magnitude of such a project. Peter Jackson's adaptation of LOTR exceeded my expectations in all aspects of film-making. The extra features on the DVD version demonstrate the painstaking detail with which Jackson and his crew approached this project. The movie is not above criticism, but it is the best screen adaptation of a serious novel since the Godfather. Thank you, Peter Jackson, cast, crew and New Line.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Amazing!!!
Review: Peter Jackson did a great job bringing the timeless classic, Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, to the big screen. With the exception of a few scenes throughout the three hour film, it delivered with remarkable precision to the novel. I have seen the film 4 times and I don't plan on stopping. I highly suggest that you buy that nine dollar ticket (i know, pricing is getting out of hand) and allow to eyes to witness the greatest beauty that is THE LORD OF THE RINGS!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: Peter Jackson did a masterful job with the film transcription of Tolkein's famous book. I would recommend it to anyone. Everyone who I talked to, if they had read the book or not, commented on the awesome story line and the magic of the visual effects.
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME (Part 1 of 3)
Review: Peter Jackson did an outstanding job. The
actors, the special effects, the locations, the
make-up, the music, and everything else. It was
truly fantastic. I can't wait for the next two
movies, I would have easily sat through a 9
hour movie, but I realize most people wouldn't.
I have never read The Lord of The Rings
trilogy, but I did read The Hobbit, and I am
familiar with the LOTR story. I never read the
books as I was never interested in reading much
when I was younger (I preferred writing my own
stories). I have now begun to read the books.
The first movie, The Fellowship of the Ring, is
true to the book. True, there are some
characters and places left out, but lets face
it, with all the red tape Mr. Jackson and his
associates had to go through, and all the time
taken to do what they did, they did an
incredible job. For those of you that want to
know what happen, because you think the first
movie was too large of a cliffhanger, you can
always pick up the second book and read it.
Elijah Wood is the perfect Frodo Baggins, I've
seen all of his movies, and I think he has
always been (and always will be) and
outstanding actor with a long and promising
career. Sir Ian McKellan as Gandolf is
fantastic, a true powerful wizard to be highly
respected. Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Sean
Astin, Sean Bean, Ian Holm, Viggo Mortensen,
Christopher Lee, Orlando Bloom, Liv Tyler, Cate
Blanchett, John-Rhys Davies, and everyone esle,
whose names escape me are outstanding, awesome,
fantastic, brilliant.
I truly felt like I was in Middle Earth,
walking along side with the 9 members of the
Fellowship of the Ring. To those of you who
have seen the movie and were sadly
dissapointed, I'm sorry you could not grasp the
magnificence of the movie and the story. Peter
Jackson kept as true as true could be kept
within a 3 hour movie, he truly did J.R.R.
Tolkein justice. If Tolkein was alive I'm sure
he would be proud to have his book and possibly
his visions come to life on the big screen for
everyone to share.
Thank you Peter Jackson, Elijah Wood, Ian
McKellan, Barrie Osborne, Fran Walsh, and thank
you to all others who partook of this
tremendous task, and succeeded far beyond that
of anything imaginable.
Thank you.
Rating:
Summary: Great DVD!
Review: Peter Jackson does a wonderful job recreating Tolkein's book. The behind the scenes footage is actually interesting to watch!
Rating:
Summary: On a roll
Review: Peter Jackson had a good idea when he relased the Special Extended Edition of The Fellowship of the Ring. Some of the additional scenes make the movie more compelling. For instance, Frodo and Sam watch a group of Elves go off into the after life, and Sam feels sadness in watching this. Also, the scene that shows Merry and Pippin fighting the Urak-Hai (spelling?) alongside Boromir before he is pierced by three arrows is more compelling. In the original theatrical release, they're just standing there watching him die, making it look like they're cowards. So, I was glad to see this footage added to that combat scene. Finally, the hours of additional background information provided in discs three and four give you an appreciation for what Peter Jackson and his crew had to do to bring this storyline to the big screen. In summary, the Special Extended Edition of Fellowship of the Ring is first rate, and I hope this carries over to the other movies when they're released on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Well done
Review: Peter Jackson had to make some tough decisions making this film (what to keep, what to axe, how to tweak the story-line for optimal effect within a three-hour time-limit, etc., etc.) -- but he was on-target with every one of them. This film is the right medicine for anyone tired of corporate fantasy fare like Henry Potter. Cate Blanchett as Galadriel was a particularly spot-on piece of casting -- though only a brief interlude in the film, in my opinion her performance steals the show.
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