Rating: 
Summary: Curious re-edit not as good as the theatrical release
Review: Buy this edition for the documentaries, comentaries, and cool LoTR paraphenalia, but if you are a fan of excellent _cinema_ you might like to consider renting before buying. Why? This "special edition" is NOT the wonderful theatrical release PLUS additional scenes that simply add to your enjoyment, but is instead a curious re-edit of the movie. In my opinion, the many changes from the original version sacrifice pace, focus, and narrative flow for the dubious benefits of showing modified and/or extended scenes that: (1) restore lines of Tolkein's dialogue/exposition,(2)restore stunt work that is silly (e.g. Aragorn and Boromir pulling the Cave Troll's chain; Merry and Pippin killing Uruk Hai by throwing stones [hobbits + uruk hai = ewoks + stormtroopers???]). Lines are inexplicably taken from one character and given to another, diminishing several great performances in the process, but without adding much. The new scenes frequently don't quite match the look of the original footage, which I found jarring. Worse, the long awaited Lothlorien gift giving scene is merely OK, and includes material that departs from the books (e.g. Sam gets rope as his gift - even if the Battle of the Shire has been cut from the movie trilogy, why not still have Galadriel give Sam a gift for his garden in hope of better days?; Aragorn does not receive the golden scabbard for Narsil, as that sword is still broken back in Rivendell in this movie, but if he doesn't have a scabbard from Lorien the scene at the door to Theoden's Hall is badly damaged, and for no good reason!). Worst of all, the much advertised additional music jumps in all over the place, changing the rhythms of the scenes in a way that shows just how fantastic were the original editing and scoring. Bottom line: I loved the theatrical release, and am sadly disappointed by this "special edition". I will watch this edition for the commentaries, and will enjoy the documentaries and fine WETA bookends, but I will go back to the theatrical release DVD whenever I want to enjoy a masterpiece of cinema.
Rating:
Summary: Just one long fight scene
Review: I loved the books, and I loved parts of the movie. Galadriel was perfectly beautiful. The hobbit friendships were charming. The miracle of the horse-rapids was breathtaking. But the fight scenes go on and on and on and on. I got thoroughly bored and started fast forwarding. There was not much left. The fight scenes were pure Hollywood schlock, complete with slime and alien-style fangs. The movie is mostly aimed at the Bart Simpson mentality. The terrifying nameless dreads of the book are replaced with explicit gore.
Rating: 
Summary: Lord Of The Rings--Superb
Review: The three parts of the Lord of the Rings---Fellowship, The Two Towers and Return of the King are all superb. Photographed very well and the acting is very good. This is a fantasy story, but has many parallels to real life (Good versus Evil). Not recommended for children under the age of 12. Some scenes could frighten some children. These films are excellent even for the person who has not read the Tolkien books. It is good entertainment value for the casual film viewer. These film rank up there along with "The Godfather and Band of Brothers" Good entertainment with immense and intense scenes of battles. Very good film-making and attention to detail.
Rating:
Summary: THE ONE MOVIE IN THE WORLD WHICH IS BETTER THAN IT'S BOOK!!!
Review: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is a pure masterpiece. This is the one movie in the world which is better than it's original book. I'm POSITIVE J.R.R. Tolkien would have been proud of the work that Peter Jackson has put into making this movie. This movie tells the tale of young Frodo Baggins and his quest to destroy the One Ring of Power. Accompanying him are 3 of his best friends, Sam Wise Gamgee, Perigrin Took (Also known as Pippin), and Merry Brandybuck as well as the wise old wizard, Gandalf the Grey. Ian Mckellan makes a terrific Gandalf. He is the only person in the entire universe who could play the role of Gandalf the Grey. He makes him seem real and is exactly how I pictured him while I was reading the book. Also, Elijah Wood did a terrific job as portraying Frodo Baggins, the main character in the story. He did a sensational job because he looked like he was actually in pain when he was supposed to have been stabbed and he looked so emotional when he thinks something has happened to Gandalf.
This movie is an epic fantasy which will make you NEVER want to quit watching it. After finishing it, for 10 minutes I stood staring at the screen thinking WOW! Peter Jackson has created a breathtaking movie and he has spent much appreciated time on The Felloship of the Ring. Peter Jackson did a SUPERB job on this film. If I could I would give it 7 stars instead of just 5 but since that is not possible, I better just stick with 5.
If I had to make a critical comment about this movie would be that they cut some of the scenes out which should have stayed. Even though most people think a movie which is 3 hours is too long, I believe that watching a movie for 4 hours would be worth it if I could see the cut scenes. This would make the movie less confusing. I'm really glad that they offer a special movie which has the deleted scenes on there!
Overall I would give this movie a 5++++++++++++!!! This film was phenomenol (I probably spelled that wrong!) and I will never forget the first time I watched it. I think this might be the greatest movie ever created and I hope that it will be put in it's proper place as one of the top ten movies of all time. Peter Jackson, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: leaves me - Speechless!
Review: Unlike some of the movies that are based on books(think Harry Potter - I'm not saying that the movies are bad, but there's so much left out that it is very unnerving), this movie has barely nothing to say that is bad. The characters are well played, the plot has almost no holes in it, and above all, the scenery is fantastic. Higly recommended for anyone and everyone, old or young.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome
Review: This is an amazing and creative story for those few have not yet seen it. The creative story line which highlights the broader theme of good and evil, only begins to describe the Lord of the Rings--The fellowship of the Ring. The landscapes in the movie are exquisit and breathtaking. Like the Last Samari, where scenes of Japan are shown from a higher elevation, the footage provided in The Lord of the Rings gives the watcher not only higher elevation shots of mountains, valleys and amazing waters, but lower more close up shots of beutiful vistas.
The creative story and great views are equally surrounded by dramatic make up and character development. Frodo, the main character, begins his journey which will define him as a person. The film provides the viewer with amazing and challenging battles, each more surprising and better than the last, that begin to define Frodo's character.
The frendship and loyalty themes developed between the Fellowsip of the Ring are important messages for the targed audience as well. For Sam and Frodo, two of the nine Fellowship members, perhaps the strongest and most lasting bond is made. True, friendship has no boundries, not event the lack of ability to swim when Sam tries to catch Frodo as Frodo begins to row away on his journey to destroy the Ring.
Watch this and enjoy all of it.
Rating:
Summary: History became legend, Legend became myth
Review: There is no need for me to rehash the story line. Judging from the number of reviews I'm probably the last person to even see this movie. I never read the book, so I was not sure if I would be able to follow the film. After hearing so many people talk about the film I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.
I was very surprised at how much I really enjoyed this film. You really get sucked into the story. This movie kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. I laughed when the mischievous hobbits were made to wash dirty dishes for their prank with the fireworks. You have various characters, the bad guy trying to do evil, the good guys willing to sacrifice their lives to save their world. Different types of wonderful monsters, how can anyone not enjoy this film?
When Gandorf stood up to that monster I just knew he was a goner. The characters could not let their guard down in this film could prove detrimental. The characters in the film never knew when the enemy would strike and they had to stay prepared at all times. Amazing how one little ring can cause such a major ruckus!!! This movie is the type of film you can find your self watching over and over again and see something new each time. This is an excellent, excellent film that is well deserving of the hype it received!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Koxson
Review: If anything makes me sick, its this very trilogy.
Most trilogies make the first two movies good and the 3rd movie rubbish; Back to the future, Jaws, Terminator, Matrix, Blade. However, this trilogy, with all its hours for one story, couldn't even do that, let alone the 3 I hoped for.
Granted 'Fellowship of the ring' had me. But I had hoped to see Frodo stare, wide-eyed, at the same king knocking everyone about in 'Fellowship' by the end of return of the king. I did not want to see a big animal-like eye which had to be ripped off from the Lion-o sword as seen on 'Thundercats'. The wars were useless and a bit pointless as neither had anything to do with the ring being destroyed.
I would have been so much happier if they threw another 25-30 mins into 'Fellowship' and let Frodo fight Sam over throwing the ring into the volcano.... and then let either of the two throw it in.
If you want to see some green and some special effects. If need to stare at something for hours because you have nothing better to do and hope to feel a connection to other human beings due to its awards and some mild depression. This movie might be okay therapy for you.
Lloyd Harris
Rating:
Summary: The fellowship of the Rng movie review
Review: Well, I was browsing, and I came upon the review left by the " Critic" that claimed that the Fellowship of the Ring was ripped off from the Willow. HELLO? The Fellowship of the Ring was freaking written before George Lucas and Ron Howard were beginning to pick up a camera! It was written way before the Willow was created. So, Mr. Critic, please abstain from flaming things when you obviously have no real idea what they are about. The Fellowship is an amazing book, and makes for a lovely movie. J.R.R. Tolkein's world is richly painted with Peter Jackson's deft direction of this movie, it really captures the emotion of the book, if not, perfect canonical rendering. The cast is great- Viggo Mortensen especially, he created a Aragorn that I think no one could have possibly played again. The first movie is but a taster...the rest just get better, and better. The story is timeless, and the film is as well...bringing back a little spark of the ideals which can be so easily lost in the chaotic world we live in today. The length intimidates people- but it is completely worth it. And anyways, you have to see the first movie to get to the second, and the second to the third [which I think is best], don't you? Better get watching...believe me, you'll find yourself hooked into the characters, and the storyline before you know it...
|
