Rating: Summary: Spectacular. Far, far more than just a money grab. Review: This may well get lost amid a flood of reviews, but I feel compelled to post it. The DVD industry has become notorious for its constant moneygrab "editions", with rerelease upon rerelease, "Collector's Edition" this, and "Platinum Version" that, and for the most part that notoriety is well-deserved...it is shameful, transparent, and valueless in the majority of cases. But not in this one. Beyond expectations, this extended edition finally, finally provides a version of the movie that is worthy of the legendary kudos that have been heaped on it. Allowing Jackson to provide it is the best thing New Line could have chosen to do; financially for them, creatively for Jackson and his team, and entertainment-wise for us. It's a rare win-win-win.I have to say, I was not one to agree with the raving over the original theatrical release. I may be called a "purist", though I certainly would not have characterized myself as such, but I unapologetically take offense at the thought of taking creative liberties with a license and set of literature of the level of unmatched brilliance, scope, and endurance as Tolkien's. As such, things like Arwen replacing Glorfindel, the editing mockery imposed on the Elrond council, the reduction of the Hobbits to comic relief, and so on, compounded each other and drastically reduced the movie's value for me. I thought the film was ok, but for this passionate fan of the books, it was ultimately more disappointment than pleasant surprise. However, beyond belief, I have to say that this extended edition redeems the film in ways I could never have imagined 30 extra minutes doing. The better pacing during travel sequences, the darker menace of the battles, the enhanced majesty and relevance of the Lothlorien sequence, the extra character development (e.g. Boromir, Frodo, Gimli), a much more powerful, intelligent finale...it's hard to fathom that individual example improvements like these could make such an incredible difference. But they can and do, to the point where this is practically a new film altogether. The added scenes were masterfully selected, and the new scores for them are marvelous. Not only has Peter Jackson used the lack of time constraints to excellent advantage, but he has actually gotten better at his editing choices as well, to the point where I feel this film really does reflect Tolkien's original vision better than the original theatrical release. In short, this is the version of this movie that deserves all the raving. It seems that the world's embrace of the first film has hopefully given Jackson and his team the liberty and confidence to more fully realize Tolkien's vision, and I now feel more encouraged than before by the potential of the next two films (and perhaps even moreso by their own extended editions, if they are planned). There are still some things that will never be "fixed" per se (Arwen being one example), but otherwise, this is a true marvel of a re-release and is more than worth the money. The extras (and they are excellent in their own right) just make it even more of a no-brainer. An absolutely spectacular offering.
Rating: Summary: The Best Movie to be made in the history of movies. Review: This movie should have won every award available. You can read all of the great things to be written about it, and they would be correct. There is no need for me to echo whatever everyone else has written. If you want to see a movie that you wish would go on for several more hours, then this movie by director, Peter Jackson, is the one to watch. Just look for the 5 stars on this movie, and you can't go wrong.
Rating: Summary: Wait and buy the enhanced version. Review: I've read Lord of the Rings many times. I've been a confirmed fan since the early 1970's. The movie thrilled me! I bought the DVD version as soon as it was released. It was great to bring the movie home, but I was more than a bit miffed when I watched the extra features to find that they were going to release a better version later that would cover FOUR DVDs and include over 30 minutes of scenes that were not included in the theatrical version. If I'd known that, I would have waited. I just purchased the enhanced version anyway, and it is wonderful! Some of the re-integrated and extended scenes (such as the gifts of Galadrial) are very important for character development and for understanding a character's motivation later, especially for Gimli and Aragorn. There are many other features, such as an interactive map, and hours of documentaries, artwork and storyboards etc. It even includes one ticket to see "Two Towers" at the theater in December. I certainly understand why they had to edit the movie for showing in theaters. It was nearly three hours long as it was, just about the outside limit for theaters. But to rush the edited version out on DVD and THEN release it in the deluxe DVD form seemed a bit underhanded. I gave my DVD of the theatrical version away. I won't rush out and make this mistake for "The Two Towers". I'll wait until they do it right, as they finally did for "Fellowship of the Ring"
Rating: Summary: I want to put more than five stars Review: I mean it.. I'd give Star Wars five stars.. In fact there's a list as long as my hand that I'd give five stars to. Lord of The Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring blows all of them out of the water... but you're reading this so you probably know that.. what you're interested in is the Platinum Series Extended Edition features yes? Two DVD's full of the best set of features I have ever seen.. you see it seems as if Peter Jackson was so elated at being able to make the film that he wanted every aspect of it documented.. it's great. The production quality of the box is even worth mentioning. If you don't buy this, then you might turn into something.. unnatural.
Rating: Summary: Additional scenes make a masterpiece even better Review: I'm always skeptical of director's cuts. Most of them merely add a few minutes of scenes that should have stayed on the cutting room floor and seem like they were added just to put a few more minutes onto the running time, but this is one director's cut that I would love to see in the theatre. The added scenes fill out the story line, add dimension to the characters and are beautifully produced just for the DVD. They blend in seamlessly to the original cut and are full of gems such as the opening scene where Bilbo gives the audience a short primer on Hobbits showing wonderful shots of Hobbiton not seen in the theatrical release. It also has many scenes of song and poems that are reminiscent of the books and add flavor to the film. I highly recommend this DVD and I only hope that we will see more director's cuts like this in the future.
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: Ultimate Edition?? Review: Great movie, great first DVD, great second DVD, but I'm just wondering why all the wonderful special features from the first version of the DVD release are not on this one????? No Enya video, no sneak peak of the game, or of the next movie... There are a few things that should've been on this 4 disc set. You can't say that there wasn't enough room on the discs. No need to make 5 discs, just add them to the two special features DVDs. Oh well, guess i'm asking for too much.
Rating: Summary: I'd give it 10 stars if I could! Review: People have already said what needs to be said about the "basic" movie -- it is fantastic. While there are some regretful deviations from the book, they are far outweighed by the details that are left in and gorgeously realized. The extended edition, however, is in a completely different league. My husband and I, both ardent fans of the books, watched the DVD as soon as it came, and we were not disappointed. The added scenes were... incredible. I was so thrilled to see my favorite moments from the book back in the film -- they are listed elsewhere so I won't go into great detail. But the most amazing thing was how much of the book got put back in with the extended scenes, and what a huge difference that makes to the film as a whole! I was simply beside myself with glee watching some of these scenes; there were parts of the original cut that had me asking, "what about x?" and there, in the extention, was x! There are snippets from the Silmarillion, mentions of Valinor and such, that literally made me clap. And because of a completely recut opening, it feels like an entirely new film for the first half an hour or so -- it's like watching the movie for the first time, all over again. Even if you already have the original cut DVD, I can't recommend this version enough. For the "true" fans of either the movie or the book, this is really a must-have. The other features of the gift set are fun -- the National Geographic special gives some background on Tolkien's life, with some great footage of the places he lived in, and interviews with Tolkien scholars. The Argonath bookends are very well-made, nice and heavy, and the box, while useless in and of itself, is quite pretty. Is it worth an extra $35? You'll have to judge that yourself. We got ours with a gift certificate, so it was "free," but if you like the WETA design of the Argonath or the Natl. Geographic special, I'd go for this set.
Rating: Summary: Bravo! Review: This was released the 12th and I watched it that night with friends. The added and extended scenes are fantastic. If you have enjoyed the book and the movie, just wait until you see this edition!
Rating: Summary: A most beautiful movie with the best overall DVD ever made. Review: After having the absolute pleasure of watching the extended edition of The Fellowship of the Rings I will never watch the theatrical cut again. Peter Jackson's visual feast is truly awe inspiring. Why the extra 30 minutes were cut are a complete mystery as absolutely everything in this extended version works, nothing awkward, nothing out of place, just breathtaking. The film itself is just outstanding and the only comparable films probably ever to be will be The Two Towers and The Return of the King. The commentaries (all 4 of them) are great and the rest of the extras are quite excellent. With the Collector's Gift Set, you also get the bookends and the revamped National Geographic Behind-the-Scenes DVD (the National Geographic DVD is the only bad thing in the whole Gift Set as it is just so...so...boring...talky...unnecessary...). The picture is beautiful, the transfer near perfect, no real layer switch detection and the sound transfer is outstanding. My only gripe with the extended version is the DVD itself since it spans 2 discs and you have to change DVDs right after the Elrond counsel scene. Only the sheer greatness of this film and the extended cut thereof makes this irritation worth it since it is the only bad thing about this DVD.
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