Rating: 
Summary: Wow!
Review: First of all, if you are looking to work out your home theater system, this will certainly do that! I really enjoyed this movie and can't wait to see what happens next. As a child, I used to devour books with this theme. This movie was everything I every imagined and more. I thought the special effects were fantastic. Also, it is a good movie that you can enjoy with your children or grandchildren. Mine certainly enjoyed it!
Rating: 
Summary: A Worthy Effort
Review: First of all, let me say that I am a huge fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, so many of my remarks here may not be of that much interest to those of you who aren't.There's a lot that director Peter Jackson got right in his adaptation of Tolkien's classic novel. The thing that strikes the viewer right away is how absolutely stunning the film is visually: in visual effects, art direction, set design, even in little details like the way the hobbits' hair is done, Jackson and his colleagues are right on the money. The casting, pretty much to a man and a woman, is spot on. Elijah Wood, as Frodo, is a particularly inspired choice, hitting just the right balance between innocence and wisdom that I think Tolkien had in mind for the character. Most importantly, Jackson gets the tone right. Tone, as anyone who has ever tried to create any kind of narrative work will tell you, is a tricky thing, and Lord Of The Rings' balance between humor and darkness is particularly hard to catch. However, in everything from little narrative details (for example, when Bilbo (Ian Holm) addresses "Proudfoots" at his birthday party, and a hobbit in the audience shoots back "ProudFEET!", just like in the book) to the big, bittersweet ending, Jackson is right on the mark. Now then, the kvetches. The film's big failing, in my mind, is its lack of suspense in the first half - that is to say, its failure to take advantage of opportunities to build suspense. In the book, as those of you who've read it will recall, we don't know what's happened to Gandalf from the time Frodo and company leave Hobbiton until they reach Rivendell. The tension is ratcheted up as the reader wonders, "Where's Gandalf? What could possibly be detaining such a powerful being?" In the film, however, Jackson blows his wad by depicting the events of Gandalf's journey simultaneously with the events of Frodo & Co.'s journey to Rivendell. Big mistake. Another issue is (you knew this was coming, didn't you?) Jackson's use of the Arwen character(Liv Tyler). I didn't have as much of a problem with this as some did, but his usage of her as uber-elf-chick/gratuitous hottie is somewhat annoying. Perhaps Jackson thought Fellowship was a bit testosterone-heavy and needed a strong female character for balance: if so, he is directed to read the work of Conan creator Robert E. Howard posthaste. In sum: Despite its failings, FOTR is still pretty great. If you're interested in it enough to have read this far, you should definitely see it (in a theater, if possible - I can't think of another film since Mel Gibson's Braveheart that benefited as much from big-screen viewing). But please, please, PLEASE read the books first: Tolkien was possibly, with the exception of Joyce, the most insanely brilliant English-language writer of the 20th century, and needs to be read. No cinematic depiction of his work will ever match movies he makes in the reader's mind.
Rating: 
Summary: It gets half the rating for half the story. . .
Review: First of all, my friends gave this movie rave reviews based upon how close the movie was to the book and how the portrayal of the characters were close to Tolkien's characters. I guess if you've read the books, the movie is off the charts, but if you haven't, this review is based upon the movie on it's own merit. The positives:
* The acting: Elijah Wood (Frodo) and Ian McKellen (Gandalf) were both great. That was the best performance I've seen from Liv Tyler in a while(which isn't saying much).
* The scenery: Scene after scene - every one is just beautiful. I found myself more interested in the location than the actual story.
* The premise: Exciting story - I'm not usually big on fantasy story telling, but I found the story simple and refreshing. The negatives:
* The length: The movie dragged on and on. . .I understand that the books were long as well, but I can put those down and go play video games for a while.
* The plot: There were a couple of plot twists, but not enough to hold interest.
* The ending: . . . or lack there of. The ending is obvious, but as a person with a rather short-attention span, I'm not going to want to wait two years and two movies to see the ending that I knew was going to happen at the end of the first movie. Cliffhangers are one thing, but no resolution whatsoever is another. It would be similar to going to see Titanic, but have the story stop when the boat hits the iceberg, and then wait for two movies later to see the darn thing sink. Overall rating is would have been 4 stars, but since I only got to see half the story, it gets half the rating: 2 stars.
Rating:
Summary: This movie delivers ALL
Review: First of all, see this on the big screen!! I know the DVD will be great, but no matter how big your HDTV, it will not compare to the theatre - no TV is the size of the side of one's house!!
This movie is extraordinarily well done, and can be appreciated by both non-readers and readers of the Tolkien books, though I think the latter will especially enjoy it.
This movie pays great attention to the details from the book. For instance, when the Fellowship is attempting to cross over the mountain Caradhras, Legolas can be seen walking on top of the snow rather than sinking in as everyone else does, for elves are light of foot and do not sink in the snow. Also, there are events which are included in the movie though they aren't able to spend the time to really show them - such as when the Fellowship is leaving Lothlorien, and Galadriel gives to them all gifts (they only showed her giving the gift to Frodo in the movie) - in the book, they were all given new cloaks to wear that were clasped at the neck with a pin shaped like a green leaf veined with silver. Though the movie didn't show them being given to the Fellowship, suddenly from that point on in the movie, all the Company are wearing new matching cloaks with pins exactly as described in the book! I loved the inclusion of details like that.
As far as exclusions go, good choices were made here as well. Tom Bombadil would have been fun, but if anyone is expendable I guess it would be him, since he really doesn't play a future role. Also, it may have confused unread viewers if the movie showed that the ring had no effect on him - they may not understand why he doesn't just take the ring to Mordor then, instead of Frodo, and then the movie would have to explain that too, etc.
I also thought the movie did a great job with casting - everyone pretty much looked as Tolkien inspired me to imagine them, with the hobbits being even better than my imagination! And that was vital, since everything revolves around Frodo and he's in nearly every scene, at least in this first movie - if he hadn't been cast well, it might have ruined the whole movie for me. As it is, he was beyond even my highest hopes and greatest expectations! His face was just so sweet and sincere and he seemed so genuine in his goodness - I could believe that he could resist the evil of the ring and have a chance of fulfilling the quest. Pippin was really funny - actually, all of the hobbits were outstanding.
If I have any complaint, it is that Lothlorien should not have been so dark - the book describes it as much sunnier and happier, and Galadriel kinder in her tone of voice and gentler in her treatment of Frodo. She seemed to me to be pretty stern until the farewell scene, and I didn't feel that when I read the book. But that's a minor complaint - overall, this movie delivers all! Don't miss it!
Rating:
Summary: Hollywood, With Tolkein on the Top
Review: First of all, take my advice, never, EVER see the theatrical version again if you buy this. This is a much more in depth film and Tolkein's original masterworks shine through on a much larger level. To list a few, you start to see Borimir turn against the Fellowship and Aragorn, instead of the sudden blow-up in the theatrical version which leaves viewers saying "Wow! What just happened?" Frodo and Sam see a band of elves leaving Middle-Earth while still in the Shire which I think more than anything starts the viewer off seeing both the beauty in the elves and the doom of Middle-Earth. Frodo also dosn't seem quite so much the misunderstood hero upon leaving Rivendell (a smile plays at my face when I remember the scene in which the Fellowship leaves Rivendell with many expecting eyes on them and Frodo hisses to Gandalf "Quick! Left or Right fork?!" Hobbiton and the Shire are much more devoloped (as in the books) and before long one starts to think of the hobbit homesteads as the perfect picture of home and sanctuary. Also, the viewer's eyes are opened to the race of hobbits in the beginning when Bilbo is writting the first chapter of his book, Concerning Hobbits, which many of you Tolkein fans will surely recognize. Bilbo's every-growing obbsesion of the Ring of Power is portrayed and devoloped much more in this expanded edition than in the original release. The expansion of this film is not just simply deleted scenes inserted, oh no! The extra scenes are right up to the standards of the theatrical movie and they fit in perfectly.
The extra feature at the end "A Day in the Life of a Hobbit" is absolutley great, featuring on-the-set footage and and great actor interveiws.
Rating: 
Summary: Review of:Lord of the Rings: the Fellowship of the Ring
Review: First of all, unless the spectator knew the story behind the "Ring" and Bilbo Baggins and Gollum, he could be confused as to misunderstand the whole premise of the trilogy.
Secondly, there was far too much violence in the movie and not enough to show the intelligence of the Fellowship (members) of the Ring. It would have been nice if the band with Frodo showed some intelligent planning to achieve their objective. The sentence uttered by Aragorn and company "Let's go hunt some orcs" was not at all smart! After all, the orcs greatly outnumbered them.
Rating:
Summary: BORING
Review: First off I would like to say I never read any of the books. I knew the basis of the story but when I saw this is the theaters I fell asleep. Then my brother got it for his birthday and it took me 4 times to finish it. I was bored. Just_Sarah's star review out of 5 (5 highest) Plot: 4
The fellowship is formed and must get destroy the ring. There was a common goal but the way it was presented bored me. I am one who needs to be entertained. Acting: 5
I'll admit all the actors were very good. Though the calming sence of the movie was not for me. Quotable/Memorable: 3
There were a few freaky parts i.e. the white lady (sorry I don't remember her name) goes blue and her eyes well I cant describe it. But I wouldn't watch it over and over. Action: 2
The movie is too slow. It drags on. What really is a couple hours seems like 5 hours. There are good stunts however preformed and some good fight scenes. Romance: 0
This is not a romantic movie. Funny Parts: 0 There were parts when people would laugh but I found nothing funny. Maybe because they read the books and understood what was happening? Overall(not average): 3
I found that the movie moved too slowly and I didnt always understand who characters were and what they were doing. I think that if you have read the book you would love this movie. If you like sci fi movies you will most likely enjoy this movie also. However if you are like me you will not. If you enjoy romantic, explosion, horror or funny movie this one is definately not for you DVD Features: ?
There is a whole bunch but since I didn't enjoy the movie I didn't waste my time watching them.
Rating:
Summary: Isn't it too draggy?
Review: First off I'd like to put down reviewers who dismiss this movie. And if you are not the patient viewer you tend to write off this movie as too lengthy, to draggy and the characters seemingly carry on and on about something and nothing. Although some would commonly agree that the romance between Aragorn and Arwen the Elf Princess was magnified to support the movie somewhat, I say this this is the most affectionate adaptation of the classic trilogy novel. If you are into those Harrison Ford type thriller-adventures or those Blow-em-up action type movies, then this movie or movies of this genre is not for you. So I say it's not fair comment to pan it. Although I saw more acting from Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen and Sean Bean. I say that overall it is the ensemble of characters that shares equal screen presence that is nicely executed in this movie that impressed me. Although some important chapters was omitted or 'fused' into one scene. I say it is still one of the more faithful adaptations that does not stray from the overall feel and plot of the book. But for those who have never read the book, I find the narrative part of the book not too hard to absorb. I would reccommend the pruchase of the extended collection for the more enthusiastic fans of this movie to see what parts of the book which is now included...
Rating:
Summary: I love Long Movies!...
Review: First off let me say that either the regular or special edition version of The Lord of the Rings(including the two Towers) [cannot compare] to the book. But if there was no LOTR book ever written and Peter jackson had just come up with LOTR out of his [mind] then this would be the best fantasy epic ever. As far as movies go this version is better than the theatrical version because we see more Tolkien and Middle-Earth. the original movie is just shy of 3 hours, making this movie 3 hours, 28 minutes(208 Min). The best part of the Special Edition is the added part in Lothlorien where they get the gifts. Unfortunatly we syill don't see Tom Bombadil or the barrow wights or Radagast and the Council of Elrond still is fruitless compared to the one in the book(although we see Gandalf get angry at Boromir in the Council of Elrond), and we see the same amout of elvishly beutiful Liv Tyler(awww). Regardless of this movie still not matching up to the book, those extra 30 minutes make it a must buy for Tolkien fans. And as a final remark the special effects of Peter Jackson and his crew are almoust as good as my imaginations. I have never seen any movie look like the way pictured the book in my head. 5 stars for the special effect, 5 stars for the bonus 30 minutes, 5 stars for the 4 plus hours of boring/entertaining extra's, and 5 stars for the movie in general!...
Rating:
Summary: A richer experience
Review: First off, I am *not* one of those people who has read the entire set of Lost Tales published after Tolkien's passing. I also have only read "The Silmarillion" once. I am not, I hope, to be considered a fanboy. But I have seen the theatrical version of "Fellowship of the Ring" at least three times, and the extended version once. I am still working on the commentary tracks as I write this. FOTR:SE is a must-see for anyone interested in good storytelling and this particular genre. The additional scenes had the effect of giving the story truly balanced pacing. This rhythm made the film feel surprisingly shorter than the original theatrical release. As if that was not enough of a pleasant surprise, the characterizations are richer and more understandable. I understand why Peter Jackson elected to shorten the theatrical release to 3 hours, but I strongly insist that it made for an inferior film to the masterpiece of the extended version. This set has the character of being many things for many potential customers. The bargain hunter will realize its value immediately since once is getting up to 5 DVD discs for a street price of $... The audiophile will lose his/her mind when deciding to use Dolby 5.1 EX, DTS 6.1 or regular Dolby Surround Sound. The film student will have over 14 hours of commentary to listen to and explore. And the collector will get a set of nice bookends in the surprisingly well made recreation of the Argonath in miniature. And if these are not reasons enough, the initial set I received (with unexpected alacrity from Amazon.com, I might add) has a coupon good for one free admission to "The Two Towers" if you catch it within its first two weeks at the theater! One can make all the noise in the world about features, but what about quality? That has, so far, been indisputably superb. The audio commentaries I have heard so far are very atypical of the Hollywood DVD commentary track. Usually, these tracks feel drawn out, boring, uninspired, tedious or at least superfluous. Not this time. What a relief it is that the production values of the film evidently were passed along to this astonishing DVD collection. "The Fellowship of the Ring: SE" set is not a mere labor of love. It is, rather, a labor of intelligence and passion both. Those of you who purchased the DVD back in August of 2002 when it first appeared should take heart that the overlap between that DVD and this one is surprisingly small. So yes, you can own them both and not feel that you have the same film twice. Instead, you can feel positive about having two editions of a fine piece of classic storytelling.
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