Rating: 
Summary: Most Complete DVD Set Ever!
Review: Simply put, this is the most complete and the most well done, thought out DVD set released to this date and will give nearly anything in the future a run for it's money. As decent as the previous 'theatrical' Fellowship of the Ring DVD release was, this is the real deal. All new extras that make the previous outing's extra disc look almost sad.The film now is spread across 2 dics, but for reason. The more 'things' you cram onto a disc the lower the quality is. So they're really doing it for us, not against us. The print is spetacular to say the least, as is the DD 5.1 Audio. 4 Commentary tracks are present and I've listened to both the writer/directors and cast tracks and they're the best commentaries by far I've ever ran across. The information we're given is valid and entertaining. Some commentaries run like people have been forced into doing them and aren't enjoying it, but the opposite is true here. The additonal footage added blends in so well and makes the film that much more complete, especially for a fan of the books such as myself. It's the little things that count and Peter Jackson knows that and it shows. Some times you can't even tell anything was added because the scenes flow that much better. Even at 3.5 hours, this film still flies by fast. To say the appendices were stuffed with extras would be a gross understatment. Every aspect of the creation of this film is so well presented it's beyond belief how amazing these documentaries are. Every individual interviewed shows how many love, care, and work went into this project that it was bound to succeed. I've never seen such dedication for a project and it's great to know all this work was so worthwhile. From adaptation of story to the early concept drawings and pre-visualizations of the film, we see how it visually started to come together. From the sword to the scale model, we see how much work from the WETA workshop was put into this film to not only get the film done, but make it done right, accurately, and with a detail unmatched. The relationship of the cast is as unique as the project they took part in. From their pre-filming training sessions to their year and a half spent together almost non-stop, these people genuinely were a family. There is a kinship unmatched between these people and their talk of each other never comes off uninspired or false. To see a varying group of people come together so is mesmerizing. The time put in from travelng to shoots to hours in the makeup trailer, we get to go along for the whole ride. For anyone would was head over heels in love with the film to someone who may have not even cared for it, this set has so much that someone is bound to find something to become enthralled with. It's almost not so much a story of the film, but of the people. And it shows that when the right people come together, magic is bound to happen.
Rating:
Summary: Astonishing
Review: Simply put, this movie is one of the most incredible movies I have *ever* seen, bar none. Throughout the movie, my hands were sweaty with suspense. When I wasn't sweating, I was covered with goosebumps induced by the sheer spectacle of the movie. It WAY exceeded my expectations. In fact, I wanted to stay in my seat to sit through the next showing. It's that good! The creatures are realistic enough to cause nightmares and the characters are totally believable. The only critique I have is that 365 days is too darn long to wait to see the next one!
Rating:
Summary: I'll keep this brief....
Review: Since everyone else pretty much said it all, I wont do an in debth movie review. All I will say was that this DVD set is a must own to anyone who enjoyed Lord of the Rings. I owned the original theatrical release of Fellowship of the Rings on DVD when it first came out but after seeing the Directors cut, I knew I had to buy this set. So even if you already own the original release of Fellowship of the Rings, buy this DVD collection! You wont be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Almost as good as seeing it on the big screen!!!
Review: Since I originally reviewed this movie when it first came out this review will cover the DVD aspects. Plus what else can be said that hasn't been said before about the movie? This has got to be one of the best movies ever produced from a book. After reading the books many times I can safely say I was not one bit disappointed in Peter Jackson's vision. The DVD has, of course, many benefits. The crystal clear clarity, the sound options, the ability of one to pick scenes to go to. You know, the normal stuff. Where this DVD takes off is the amount of special features. The second disc is 2 hours of special features, from trailors to special reports to the making of the movie to the music video, etc. It also covers the fact that in November they will be releasing the "expanded edition" which adds 30 minutes of cut footage and new music. Since I didn't know that would be available until AFTER I bought this I was a little miffed at first. But then I realized I wasn't going to be able to wait to buy this anyways so it really didn't matter. I have had this DVD for 2 days and have been glued to the tube since. If you possibly can wait until November then I would recommend purchasing the expanded version. From the decription on Amazon it will be awesome. If you're like me, then what the heck, buy now and buy in November. Peter Jackson will thank you.
Rating: 
Summary: Missing Aragorn
Review: Since I really love the book, I was maybe expecting too much from the film... as it is probably the case for many Tolkien fans like myself... The film is not BAD, but it is clear that compared with the book something is missing. While other reviewers find the film too long, I do not think it is the case. One has to consider the spirit of the book, which was not written as an action fantasy (like Harry Potter...), but as an attempt to build a mitology for England! (if you do not trust me, please have a look to the good film by National Geographic on the making of the BOOK). So what is missing, in my opinion, is a certain amount of epic. Some of the previous reviewers were complaining about the excess of emphasis in the dialogues. I think that the emphasis is probably due to a not too successful attempt to keep some epic into the film. It is just a matter of bad (or at least not so good) interpretation by some of the actors. Personally, I do not like the way Aragorn is represented in the film. One should keep in mind that he is a guy that spent tens of years fighting in wild places. And moreover, Aragorn is the King in pectore, the Heir of Isildur, the last of the Kings of Men... He should look great and magnificent as well as dark and powerful. But what we have on the screen is a good-looking Aragorn that waves is head pensively, like in a soap-opera... no epic coming from him! Unfortunately Aragorn is one of the main characters of the tale... and a not too convincing interpreter is in my opinion a serious problem. In conclusion, a better choice of some of the actors would have been desirable. As such, the film is enjoyable, but not great.
Rating:
Summary: For Those Who Have Waited to See This Movie...
Review: Since I usually wait to see a great movie till after the hype dies down, I am a late-comer to the excitement over this movie. Having said that, let me start the hype ALL OVER AGAIN!! Fabulous acting, superb cinematography, a terrific story line, very appropriate actors playing their parts, costuming and set design that really takes you there. I found nothing in this movie that I didn't like. I have NOT read the Hobbitt books, and from what feed-back I've gotten, that's a good thing for the movie goer, since those who have read the Trilogy feel there are so many things "left out," but this being my first exposure to The Lord of the Rings, my expectations were met and surpassed! I have promised myself NOT to read the books until after the last movie has been seen, just so I can be thoroughly delighted by the next two episodes!! As an adult, I found the plot and the action to be engrossing, but I believe any child over 8 would be just as pleased even though the movie is longer than most. I sat for the entire length of the show, and left wanting MORE! I actually can't wait til next year for the 2nd installment! Five BIG stars from me...and I'll be there opening night come next December!
Rating:
Summary: The Road Goes Ever On.....
Review: Since I was little I have been reading The Hobbit and the Trilogy and wished for it to become a movie. One was so that others knew what I was speaking of when I mentioned Ringwraiths. Now my dream has come true.
As a Tolkien fan, I did realize that the movie does differ from the book in many areas, but the quintessential elements of the story were portrayed to such exactness that the only way I could be happier then to watch this masterpiece come to life, was becoming a hobbit, and being in the movie as well.
This first installment just gives you a taste for what is about to happen to our poor, broken fellowship. I love the extended because it conveys more background information that will be useful in the upcoming installments.
I believe that the first version of the movie was marvelous, but for those of you who have an unquenchable thirst for Tolkien, the extended version is the way to go.
The special features lets you in on how much effort was put into this film as long with hints to some things that only the readers of the books will understand, but all in all it is suited for everyone.
And so the Road goes on and on, down from the door where it began, Now far ahead the Road has gone, And I must follow, if I can.
Rating:
Summary: A truly deserving blockbuster...
Review: Since the J.R.R. Tolkien authored books lodged itself as one of the most-read books of the century, The Lord of the Rings trilogy has long been considered unfilmable. There's a very good reason for this: the trilogy is practically a universe unto itself, with dense subplots, poems, languages and characters to scare even Cecil B. DeMille. Fortunately, Peter Jackson took on the Herculean task and gave viewing audiences something that is very rare in American cinema: big action adventure movie in which ground-breaking special effects take a back seat to plot, character development and moral vision. The film does not disappoint on any level. Although some of Tolkien's more beloved characters are left out, Jackson still manages to strike the perfect balance between placating the fans and attracting neophytes. Although I had never read the books before watching the film, because of the films I have become a devoted LOTR fan. For a film of its length and extent of plot, Fellowship of the Ring is still immensely watchable.
In brief, buy it today! You won't be disappointed and the DVD extras provide an even better appreciation for this masterpiece.
Rating: 
Summary: Not very original.
Review: Since there is so much interest in Tolkien and his Rings books, I thought this would have some important content. Wrong. The story seems to be largely derivative, taking themes and ideas from a variety of classic literature: Homer's Odessy, the Arthurian legends, the Biblical book of Ezekiel, etc. There wasn't even a clear reason for ending the first movie of the series where it did. Perhaps if the movie does not closely follow Tolkien the books might be better. As a movie, the action scenes are repetitive and dull, despite the excessively graphic carnage. The female characters are few and shallowly characterized, and the significance of the different groups of beings and their characteristics unclear, despite some explicit statements. Was it worth the price of admission? Yes, but it wasn't the exciting cinema I was expecting.
Rating:
Summary: Gets Better After Watching it the 3rd Time
Review: So at first I lothed this movie. But after watching it three times I rather enjoy it
-Mary
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