Rating: 
Summary: ~~~HERE IS A MOVIE THAT WILL BREAK YOUR HEART~~~
Review: Well, let me start out by saying I saw The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring three times and was really bummed when it left theaters. I had planned to see it about a hundred times! When I read and re-read the books I had relatively clear ideas of what the characters should look like, but while watching the movie I immediatly decided Peter Jackson had the right idea. Elijah Wood is outstanding at playing Frodo Baggins. And Gandalf and Saruman were perfect. I felt thoroughly convinced that Middle-earth and its people were real. And the music!!! I've never heard such music!!! It conveys every emotion imaginable, and is SO sad! It wrenched my heart out! As I've already said, I've read the books, and wouldn't really know if the movie would be confusing to non Tolkien fans. But to give you an idea of the power of the film... my friend who was an all out hater of LOTR was persuaded to see the movie and is now reading FOTR. Now for the places. The Shire, Bree, Rivendell, Moria, and Lothlorien are stunningly portrayed! The Shire is lovely, countryside in the books and is even more so in the movie. And as for Lorien, it seemed to radiate the power and peace of the Elves. Speaking of Elves, the more powerful Elves, such as Lady Galadriel, seem to glow. Which is exactaly how Tolkien described them. Tom Bombadil, as I am sure you already know, was left out of the movies. But this didn't bother me because I don't feel he has much to do with the story. Rather, he is mentioned once or twice at Rivendell as unconcerned about the affairs of others (in the books). Arwen's extended role did not strike me as a good idea, but while watching the movie, I was glad she was more important than in the books. She is a symbol of goodness and peace, not unlike a second Galadriel (who happens to be her grandmother). Overall, a beautiful movie! Moving, breathtaking, and,at times, frightening. And all of this is dramatically enhanced by the music. Please note: this movie is three hours long, and while it is nonstop action, young children may grow restless and bored. I would know because when I last saw the movie there were two eight year old children in the front row. They were running around, talking, and kept complaining that they wanted to go home. The first time I saw the movie, two six year old children left with their mother during a scary scene with the Nazgul (Ringwraiths). So bring kids eleven +, or bring kids that TRUELY appreciate the books. The Lord of the Rings has, after all, been described as an "adult fairy tale". If you see this movie once and love it, than see it again and you'll love it a thousand times more. Tolkien's works have withstood generations, and I do not doubt the movies will too. Believe me, this is not an experience to miss out on. I simply cannot express enough how moving a masterpiece Peter Jackson has brought to the silver screen. So what are you waiting for? If it's in a theater near you, go and see it!!!
Rating:
Summary: .......PRE..cious....... !....!
Review: WELL, thank God you don't need a welding torch to get into this DVD - just a perfect little package with the correct amount of 'additionals' to stimulate interest in the deluxe collector's edition. Really very well worth it all.Story-line? That's for the uninitiated to discover.
Tech credits? Quite surpasses anything else - the opening battle alone transfers spectacularly. Cannot wait for the rest to follow - not quite Hollywood fare [just enough 'sweetness' but not too much] and the ladies? Ms. Blanchett and Ms. Tyler grace the screen with much dignity, feeling and truth [it ain't that easy to play a convincing fairy ya know!] Kudos to the production and especially monumental costume design involved [Ps. Christopher Lee rocks!]
Rating:
Summary: Doesn't Get Any Better Than This
Review: Well, that's about all I can say if you haven't seen this movie yet. If you have, you must agree with me. Visually stunnning (thats what $300 does), superbly acted, fueled by an epic soundtrack, and of course, the greatest fantasy story ever told, Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Ring's" is nearly perfect. Its only flaw: it ended. It'll be an awfully long year before we get to see Jackson's masterful rendition of Middle Earth in "The Two Towers."
Rating: 
Summary: 5 times in 4 days
Review: Well, the highly anticipated movie has arrived and I have been blown away! Though it has way more gore than I like and it wasn't 100% true to the book, if you just relax and take it as the fine bit cinema, you won't be disappointed. There were a thousand inconsistancies, but it is a given that the movie will never be able to completely represent the book. That's why they always say "BIASED on the story by (X)." So just take it as two ways of telling a story, independent stories if you like, and enjoy the action and adventure. I think the casting is great. Elijah Woods is such a good Frodo, and Sam, Pippin and Merry are represented very well. I'm not 100% with Aragron and Boromir's representations but Olando Bloom does a fabulous job of depecting the nobility and strength of Legolas. Gandalf was lovable and powerful...the wise sage and the great, magical warrior (when he shouts "YOU...SHALL NOT... PASS!!!" I get goosebumps!). I loved the dwarf Gimli, John Rhys-Davies from Slider fame,and I was okay with the changes to Arwen. It's a thrill ride at 120 decibels, take your ear plugs to conteract the screaming of the Ringwraith! All told, I think it is the strength of Frodo's character that really makes the movie come together. Elijah Wood's angelic face and piercing blue eyes give Frodo a real innocence, sincerity and vulnerability! I went to see it opening night, December 19 and in the past 4 days, I have seen it 5 times. Be sure you stay with the kids, though, this is a scarey film with lots of violence. Enjoy! I know I'll see it again.
Rating:
Summary: The movie is beyond being the best - doesn't need a rating
Review: Well, they don't come any better than this. And I think I can can say that with some confidence, being a life-long Tolkien fan and specialty idiot/nerd/encyclopedist of Tolkiens parallel universe. I fretted over this movie when it was in the making in NZ - the leaks were very unnerving. (Not unlike the distant rumors of resurgent Mordor coming to the Shire in the beginning of the book, by the way.) I needn't have. The movie is an independent creation, not a soulless, Soviet-style copy with every line and scene anxiously copied, but Peter Jackson's absorption and view. The movie, mirrored through Jackson's temperament, heart and soul, is a living, enthralling thing - as real as life itself (or more!). The cast is eerily perfect, absolutely dead right on the money.
Elijah Wood just absorbs Frodo's personality and walks around in it. Ian McKellen must have rehearsed his role for most of his life (did he see this movie coming?). Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Christopher Lee and everyone one else are an All Star Team, no less. And I thought Liv Tyler was just an MTV-videorette! She is a grand actress with passion, composure and poise - I am reminded of a beautifully cut diamond with more beautiful facets than the eye can keep track of. And the acting is beyond perfect - it is just life, real as life itself, in a universe as real as our own, and Jackson was just there with his camera. Special effects, scenery, settings throughout are all as good as they come - or better. Maybe a little like Simon & Garfunkel's best songs that are beautiful enough to stop your breathing - then take a slightly unexpected turn to a beautiful final chord. See this DVD ... Make your life a little better, and yourself a better and wiser person. Just sit back, press PLAY and take it in.
Rating:
Summary: The future of DVDs
Review: Well, this movie blew me away on two different fronts. First, the film itself is a masterpiece. I personally think LOTR has already surpassed any potential present in either Star Wars trilogy. The complexity of characters, production design, acting, and cinematography were far above anything I have seen in a fantasy film before. If by some strange chance you have not yet seen this film, please go and see it as soon as possible. That brings me to my second point: see it on this DVD. This is what DVD should be like for every film made. First, the film itself has deleted scenes inserted into their proper places in the film. And unlike some deleted material, this is actually worth seeing! It adds background story to the main narrative, and in some cases just looks amazing! Also, it is followed by two DVDs of informative, humorous bonus material that answers some of the "how'd-they-do-that" questions that I had after seeing the film. Finally, the film is accompanied by four different audio commentaries, each of which is ACTUALLY WORTH LISTENING TO! Compared to the audio commentaries I have heard before (most of which sound like the director and stars drunkenly discussing the film at a bar after shooting has just finished), these are informative and amusing. This DVD is an incredible bargain, and it is also a chance to own one of the cinematic milestones in fantasy film.
Rating:
Summary: One DVD to rule them all...
Review: Well, well. When you thought you had seen it all, Peter Jackson restores 30 minutes of footage into the theatrical cut of the film which gives the already 3-hour long film a total running time of around 3.5 hours. For those that complain that the theatrical release was too long, then you need not bother with this version because the fight scenes are longer as well as the expository scenes. But just a thought to those who said that a 3-hour movie is too long. You better stick to the Scorpion Kings out there, because it takes a serious film viewer to appreciate long epic movies. Actually I wished the movie was longer, but then again, that's why Peter Jackson spread this epic tale out into THREE films. But anyway, I was one of those people who went into the theater wondering what to expect. I sat there and really tried to like the film. But alas, I couldn't. Not that because I was dissappointed byt the pace of the film (well sort of), but because I have never read the books. But then comes the DVD, first the 2-disc version in Aug. 2002, and then the 4-disc Extended Version in Nov. 2002. Well I'll have to say the the more and more I watch it, the more and more I absolutely LOVE the film. Watching the extras helps alot too. If you're not familiar with the story or Tolkien's world, then the extras will lay that out for you. One of the most interesting featurettes was the 50 minute "Cameras of Middle Earth" special. This was basically a behind-the-scenes "making-of" documentary. Very cool to watch. Another was the Cast of Middle Earth. A series of interviews and candid response session of each cast member. It was comedic as well. The comments by the "hobbits" were extremely hysterical at times. The added and extended scenes in this 4-disc version add a tremendous amount of insight to the story. Some scenes are added dialogue that may explain something a little better, others are extended battle sequences. One very apparent extended battle scene was the Orc and Cave Troll fight in the Mines of Moria. One added scene which the production crew hated to cut in the first place was the gift-giving scene in Lothlorien. This scene is important as it shows things that appear in the next two subsequent films. One of the coolest features of this 4-disc set, is the case in which it comes in. The case looks like a worn leather book. And so when and if (surely) that The Two Towers and The Return of the King will get the same treatment, you'll have a nice looking 3-book film on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Blew me away
Review: Well, what can I say about this great movie? This was obviously made with lots of love cause it certainly gives you the feeling the books give you! Can't wait for the second one to come out in december!
Rating: 
Summary: I want my three hours back!
Review: Well, what can I say? I at least expected LOTR to be somewhat interseting, at least to be able to keep my attention for the duration. After the first half hour, I was bored beyond any boredom I have felt watching any other movie. The basic theme that occurs throughout the entire movie is walk for fifteen minutes, find some "monsters" try fighting for about two minutes, then run away for ten minutes. The same thing keeps occuring over and over and over... And for a twist, maybe Frodo might die because of some injury. But then where would the other two stories come in if he died? The scenery and effects in this movie are second to none, but there is only so long that those can carry a movie without anything else. Ian McKellen did a great job as Gandalf, or perhaps it appears that way because the rest of the actors are so bad. I mean was Elijah Wood the best choice to play Frodo? The bottom line is LOTR does not translate into a good movie. It's like translating say a Final Fantasy video game directly into a movie, except without the control, strategy, or the fun. Well, none of you will listen anyway. Go out and watch this, but don't say I didn't warn you.
Rating:
Summary: ONE DVD TO RULE THEM ALL
Review: Well, what can I say? There are just so many good things to say about this DVD that it's hard to know where to begin. Naturally, the 6.1 channel saround sound is nothing short of excelent. But first, I should say that the spirit of Tolkien's writing is brought forth much more vividly in this extended version than in the thatericle version. Not, of course to imply that the theaterical version was flawed, it isn't; however, even Peter Jackson conceeds this point in his excelent commentary. Speaking of comintaries, there are not one, not two, not three but four of them; all of them excelent and very well worth listening too. This DVD is well worth what you'll pay for it; an excelent way to spend your evening.
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