Rating: Summary: The never-ending story Review: There's a telling moment at the end of the new "The Fellowship of the Ring" DVD in which director Peter Jackson and his co-writers try to cram in their final thoughts. Wait! Jackson seems to be saying as the credits roll and the commentary track fades -- There is so much more to tell. We've had only 3 1/2 hours! Jackson's love of J.R.R. Tolkien's "Rings" trilogy spills across New Line's "special expanded" four-DVD set of "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring." The feature packs a whopping four audio commentaries, almost 15 hours' worth. An encyclopedic collection of other extras ensures no detail is left unexamined. (Obsessives can even return to last summer's two-DVD release of the title, which offered yet another set of featurettes.) All this makes "Fellowship" one of the most-examined pieces of filmmaking since, say, "The Zapruder Film" or "The Battleship Potemkin." How much is too much when it comes to DVD content? This sprawling set surely tests those limits. At the center of the new "Fellowship" DVD is Jackson's "alternate" version of the film, one that adds a half hour, mostly character development. (Jackson rejects the label "director's cut," saying it implies unhappiness with the original.) Jackson even takes the opportunity to stir in material that synergizes with "The Two Towers," indicating he's aware that many DVD viewers are now about to see part 2 of the trilogy in cinemas. Jackson's extended "Fellowship of the Ring" renders the film more coherent, likable and elegantly paced. Combined with the pause-and-play advantages of the home theater environment, the DVD has the paradoxical effect of making the film seem shorter, even at a sofa-spring-testing 208 minutes. "The wonderful thing about DVDs as a different medium to cinema is that the experiences are completely different," Jackson says in his commentary. "The expectations of pace are different." "Fellowship" has the same solid, CG-filled look as the theatrical release and the previous DVD. Flesh tones hold true; golds tempt with their fiery beauty; blacks lead straight to hell. Audio options are for DTS ES 6.1 and Dolby Digital EX 5.1, both capable of rocking viewers' alternate worlds.
Rating: Summary: "A superb edition, extended is better than theatrical!" Review: The theatrical version wasn't all that great, but when I got the extended version as a gift at a Christmas party, and managed to watch it the next day, boy was I surprised. There is more action, more humor, and the deleted scenes are plentiful. My new favorite scene was when Pippin farted from eating all that Elven bread that supposedly filled the stomach of a grown man with just one small bite. Apparently, Pippin had eaten for whole pieces. There are many extended scenes in this new version, and it coincides more with the original book. The new music, composed by Howard Shore, really only appears in the scene where Boromir cuts his finger holding the blade "that cut the Ring from Sauron's hand". In the original version, there was no music in that scene. That's about the only thing I can quote on the music. The acting is the same, but still good, and Elijah Wood does a superb job as Frodo Baggins, as does Sean Astin as Samwise Gamgee, and I'm not sure who plays him, but Pippin is extremely silly and very funny, and Merry is actually one of the more serious ones. I will now review the deleted scenes. There is a scene where Gimli falls in love with Galadriel (Cate Blanchett), and because of that scene, the moment when Galadriel waves goodbye to the Fellowship is not seen, from what I remember. There is the other scene from the book where Sam and Frodo see a great band of singing Elves leaving the Shire. My favorite, of course, is when Pippin can't hold his gas in, and there is also an extended scene where Aragorn and Elrond have words. That's not it, for there is also a very nice beginning where Bilbo is writing his book: "There and Back Again, a Hobbit's Tale by Bilbo Baggins", and describes the life and ways of Hobbits and the Shire. There are many more that I am probably not remembering, because this new version is 208 minutes, that's three hours and twenty-six minutes, so I absolutely could not remember it if I tried. The film is on two tapes, and I am able to tell you that part one ends when the Fellowship decides on going through the Mines of Moria and Gandalf says, "So be it". The first tape is 119 minutes long, and the second is 86 minutes, so that adds up to 208 minutes. So, I hope my review has been helpful, and don't worry, it's still rated PG-13.
Rating: Summary: Amazing! Excellent! Awesome! Review: Now that this edition is out, don't bother with the earlier version. The Extended edition is 4-discs of Tolkien glory. There are so many new and extended scenes seamlessly added that this Tolkien fan is happy indeed. Even the commentary from the Peter Jackson, Boyens, et al, is informative and interesting, and I usually don't care for commentaries! The movie itself is spread over 2 discs, but that's a minor irritation, because you're getting so much more on each disc. Easily the favorite DVD set in my collection!
Rating: Summary: This could very well be the best movie ever made Review: Astonishing. Wonderful. Fantastic. Moving. Involving. I could go on and on, but I won't. All I will say is that if you are one of the millions of us who found Peter Jackson's "Lord of the rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" to be one of the most amazing movie experiences ever (although I don't know for sure if it can beat out being 4 years old in the movie theatre and seeing Star Wars for the first time-It's a different experience, not better)this version is even better than the one that kept me glued to my seat in the theatre praying it would never end. I don't know how many girls have reviewed this, but I have to say even if you aren't a girl who likes this type of fantasy/adventure, the MEN in this film are well worth paying the money for-every extra minute with Orly Bloom (the as*-kicking Legolas)is heaven! I ahevn't even gotten through all of the extra stuff yet, but I doubt it will be anything less than pure quality magic-Peter Jackson is a genius. Don't miss this-it makes the "perfect film" even better.
Rating: Summary: I just want the extended movie Review: I don't want to pay [money] plus tax for commentary and all that other junk. You see, locally, I haven't seen this marked down yet. I just want an inexpensive version of the extended film, no extras, period. When I see that (or this at a decent price), I'll buy FOTR on DVD, but not before, it's a ridiculous idea. I will say that Amazon.com's pricing for this item is spectacular, I just wish it were the average.
Rating: Summary: wow Review: It's truly amazing, the new version of the film. In the booklet there is a list of chapters,and it's ful of new scenes and extended dialogue and action. Whereas the theatrical version kept most material that dealt with Frodo, the extended version gives a cleare, better, funnier, more touching view of the rest of the cast. For example, Celeborn maybe had one or two lines in the theatrical version, but had his own scene and a dozen more lines in thisnew version. Galadriel gives gifts to the rest of the fellowship, Aragorn sings a love ballad to Arwen, and Sauron's voice echoes in Rivendell at the Council of Elrond, to name a few. I fell in love with this movie the second the prologue began in the theatre when i first saw it, but this new edition proves any (small and meager) objections false. Truly, The Fellowship of the Fing: Special Extended edition is even better and even more undoubtedly the best movie in existence....That is, until the next two movies come out....
Rating: Summary: GREAT.... c'mon you know that it is true!!!!~ Review: I've seen the theatre version like 10 times (i'm a nut). But if you are like me and enjoyed it that much, then this is perfect for you! The extended version comes with extras which were taken off due to the time crisis. Those extra >30minutes of footage gives you a better idea of what is going on and it stays more true to the story. The book had a lot of detail which the movie could not possibly do in the amount of time given. But these extra minutes really do help you get a bit more of the story that was taken off. I would buy this edition rather than the theatre released version. Well there are 4 discs. Disc 1 & 2 are the movie. Disc 3 & 4 go into the production and presentation of LOTR. There are commentary by the actors and actresses. O, also a FREE MOVIE TICKET FOR TWO TOWERS. Yea, that is partially why i got this too. ^.~ In general, if you are a LOTR fan (well of the movie) then this edition is perfect. I wouldn't go tooo overboard with the collector's edition. But this would be perfect. -*-Lady Serinity-*-
Rating: Summary: The Lord of The Rings- extended version , silver collecto ed Review: The extended version of the fellowship of the ring certainly follows the book much more closely. Its beyond me why some of those scenes were not included in the theatrical version since much of the interwoven plots depends on them....The Aragon of the extended version is portrayed more as a reluctant heir to the throne than the theatrical release, hesitant,and fearful of the responsibility, and of failure. And it plays much better in the plot especially against the backdrop of his relationship to Arwen, ; and the burden of the throne and the responsibility of rebuilding middle earth on his shoulars is perfectly juxtapositioned with Frodo's burden. The extended version also shows Frodo's growing isolation within the fellowship because of the rings corrupting power and the fear within the fellowship.But the most stark difference is the whole section on Lothlorien, which is much richer, and more consistent with the story plot. For those people who havent read the novel, the theatrical version is probably enough, but for those who have read the novel know how much closer to the book the extended version is.The fact that the film is 3 1/2 hours long is probably why some of those scenes were excluded...but, I dont mind sitting through a four hour film, if im involved in it, and if it is worth spending that time watching it. In this case, Fellowship is a much richer film with the extended scenes ,in fact, I wish it went longer. I hope there is an extended version of The Two Towers, and The Return of the King
Rating: Summary: Worth it. Review: This 4-disc set gives you everything you could possibly want (well, the other DVD has the Enya music video and the TV spots). This definitly lived up to my expectations. Ever since I got into Lord of the Rings, I have been interested in the cast and their relationships with each other. The Commentary with the Cast will bring a smile to your face as the four hobbits (Wood, Astin, Boyd, Monaghan)are hilarious...My personal favorites in the appendicies are "The Fellowship of the Cast" and "The Day in a life of a Hobbit" Both on Disc Four The extended and new scenes are awesome. The Passing of the Elves, At the Green Dragon, and the "Lembas" chapter are really cool. So buy this!! Even if you already have the other one!!
Rating: Summary: PUTS THE THEATRICAL VERSION TO SHAME!!! Review: If you liked the theatrical version this will blow you away. More character background, and a more maticulasely fallowed story. Crucial scenes were added back into this verson. George Lucas did this to his Episode I DVD release and fans hailed it. Any Lord Of The Rings fan will say that same about this version. There's more battle, story development, and character build up. You find that you have more connections with the charaters you already love. THIS DVD IS THE MOST COST - SATISFATION DVD YOU CAN BUY! OVER ^ HOURS OF BONUS STUFF THAT WILL GIVE YOU A GREATER APPREICIATION OF WHAT PETER JACKSON AND HIS CREW CREATED, AS WELL AS WHAT THE CAST WENT THROUGH TO BRING THESE BEAUTIFUL AND COLORFUL HEROS TO LIFE.
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