Rating: 
Summary: A view from the front row
Review: With filmakers becoming more and more talented it is little surprise that Tolkien's is first rate. I viewed this film twice after reading the book some twenty years ago. Speaking with excited college students around me before the viewing, I was amazed at what a cult following the book still has; indeed the entire audience was college or graduate aged young people with a smattering of greybeards thrown in for balance.
The film not only captured the beauty of all the associated art from the last 40 years, but left the audience with a good sense of sadness and desperation. As I finally came to know the characters again, the film ended, leaving me famished for more.
"Outstanding" and "couldn't be better" are terms to use here.
Rating:
Summary: And the Best Picture Award for 2001 goes to....
Review: I have to admit, I was REALLY worried about this movie. I've read the trilogy innumerable times since I first discovered it in 1981, and I suffered through both the Ralph Baskhi adaptation and the Rankin-Bass version of Return of the King. After these two travesties, I was starting to think that no one could bring Tolkein to the screen without butchering it. But, I went to see it at a midnight movie on the day it premiered. I was absolutely BLOWN AWAY by the movie! Peter Jackson has done what I thought was impossible. After seeing it, I had only one worry - would people who had never read the books, or who hadn't read them for a long time, be able to understand what was going on? But, my fears have been put to rest. My brother-in-law, who has never read the books at all, was able to follow and understand the film with no problem. The first ten minutes or so of the film are devoted to explaining the "backstory" behind the Ring, and why it is so dangerous. Elijah Wood is well cast as Frodo Baggins, the "young" hobbit who must bear the Ring from his home in the Shire all the way across Middle-Earth to Mount Doom, in the very heart of the realm of the evil Dark Lord Sauron. This is the only place where the Ring can be destroyed, by casting it into the flame in which it was originally made. Sean Astin is his fellow hobbit and loyal companion, Sam Gamgee, another piece of brilliant casting. Ian McKellen is destined to be known forever as Gandalf the Grey, much as Alec Guiness will forever be Obi-Wan Kenobi. Christopher Lee is also great as the fallen wizard Saruman the White, in a role significantly expanded from the book (and very well done, I might add). But, the single best casting job, in my opinion, has to be Ian Holm as Bilbo Baggins. He turns in a dark, creepy, almost sinister performance as the old hobbit who was in posession of the evil Ring for 60 years. Even though he manages to leave the Ring to Frodo early in the film, his craving for it and its evil power is VERY evident. Just an absolutely stunning performance from a truly great actor. The special effects are unbelivable. New Zealand was the perfect place to film. The shots of Rivendell, Lothlorien, and Moria are all excellent. The Shire is well done, and Bag End looks every bit as luxurious as the book makes it out to be. I loved Jackson's interpretation of Isengard and Orthanc, and I also liked the intruiging hints of Minas Tirith, Barad-Dur, and Mount Doom, all of which I look forward to seeing in more detail.
The action and battle scenes are excellent, especially the shots of Sauron taking swings against human and Elven warriors with his great mace early in the film. The evil Orcs are suitable revolting and disgusting, and the few glimpses we get of Gollum are chilling. The Balrog must be seen to be believed. There are some parts of the book that are not in the film, mainly the sequence in the Old Forest, Tom Bombadil, and the Barrow-Downs. It's a good bit, but in the final analysis, nonessential. I had no problem with the expansion of the roles of Arwen and Saruman. Arwen simply fills in for a minor character for a few extra minutes of screen time, and Saruman's role really isn't anything new. It is simply that we actually SEE Saruman doing things that are only talked about in the book. It's impossible to take a 500+ page novel and make a movie, even one three hours long, that includes everything faithfully. It's just not possible, nor is it good movie-making. Print and film are two different mediums, and things that work well in one do not always do so in another. Peter Jackson has done a fantastic job. Filming Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and Return of the King was absolutely the right thing to do. The books all take place immediately after each other, and this way, the movies are assured of visual continuity. Just as Tolkein considered the LOTR "trilogy" to be one novel, so too will these movies form three parts of one long film that can be watched back-to-back with no continuity gaps. When these films have all been released, I think Peter Jackson will deserve to be placed in the first rank of modern cinema. Steven Spielberg or George Lucas couldn't have done any better, and that is high praise indeed.
Rating:
Summary: A Legend
Review: As a 12-year-old of Windsor Ontario, I think that The Lord of The Rings is agreat Movie. The book, Fellowship of the Ring, was great but I had troyble understanding alot of the concepts. The movie however, cleared up my visions and now I understand the whole trilogy from the Shire to Mordor. Peter Jackson did an excellent job in produncing a movie from a fantasy novel. The cast (Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Orlando Bloo, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghen, etc) did a great job with their charaters and did an excellent job considering they were the first actors to attempt to shoot the Lord of the Rings triolgy. Even though there were only 2 female actresses, the movie turned out great. A job well done to the Fellowship of the Ring!
Rating:
Summary: I cannot stop thinking about this film.
Review: I will start by saying that I never read any of the books, but I do intend to (once my husband finishes rereading them)! I have already seen the film twice and both times was very impressed with its effects, cinematography, and the performances of each and every character (I cried at several points both times I saw it). I am glad that I did not read the books first, because another movie I saw recently was damaged by my reading the books, namely Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone. I adored Harry Potter and read every book. I had the movie on my calendar for a year, but when I saw it, I just did not like it. It was too slow and I knew everything that was going to happen. With LOTR, I know I will go back and enjoy the books, and like all the die hard fans, will find flaws with the films, but the film has already found a solid place in my heart and because of that I will always love the film series regardless of my opinion on the books. Elijah Wood was wonderful and his passion for the role definitely came through (his eyes have stayed with me even now). Sean Astin's Sam brought the most tears to my eyes when he rushed into the river after Frodo and insisted he must stay by his side. Ian McKellen is a magnificent Gandalf. Orlando Bloom is a terrific newcomer and Legolas always impressed me most during the battle scenes with his poise and mastery of the bow and arrow. Liv Tyler and Cate Blanchett were both beautiful and elegant. Sean Bean and Viggo Mortgensen were terrific, and so were Christopher Lee (he just dripped evil), John Rhys-Davies (known better for his roles in the Indiana Jones films) and both actors who played the hobbits Merry and Pippin. Even before the film ended I was leaning over to my husband and telling him that I couldn't wait until next year to see The Two Towers!!!! Anyway, to sum up this babbling review, the movie was excellent and I highly recommend it to all!!! P.S. One note, small children will probably be scared by the orcs and some of the other effects so parents beware.
Rating:
Summary: Spectacular - great job Peter Jackson!!
Review: I was so thrilled with this movie! I am a fan of the books, and I have to say I wasn't really expecting the movie to be nearly as good. But it was!!!! I've seen it once and can't wait to watch it again.
There were a few details left out that I wished hadn't been, (no, I don't mean Tom Bombadil) but not enough to ruin the movie in any way. For example, they didn't have enough of Merry & Pippen, which is a shame since they could have added some comic relief. Otherwise there was marvelous attention to detail. I especially like the way they kept some of the actual lines used in the books. The actors were cast with real genius. They did such a great job. I didn't think anyone could portray Tolkien's characters in a believable way,...but was I wrong!! Ian McKellen (Gandalf) and Viggo Mortenson (Aragorn), definitely stand out-they were awesome. They really became the characters. So does Elijah Wood(Frodo), "Elrond", Sean Astin (Sam),...and Legolas, Gimli, Pippen....they were ALL good!! The only exception possibly being the Lady Galadriel...she's not shown as the good, loving queen she is in the book. The sound effects are rather deafening, and the orcs are some of the most hideous looking creatures I've ever seen. They really did a job making them! All in all, a great movie, and probably the best adaption possible of Tolkien's work!!! A classic "good vs. evil" story. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie again, ...and then I want the other two!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: almost as good as the hype
Review: Let's cut to the chase: this was a good movie as well as a satisfying re-telling of Tolkien's tale. The cinematography was fantastic: the Shire, Rivendale, and Moria (espeically) all came alive. The acting ranged from decent to excellent (particularly Aragorn and Gandolf). Even Liv Tyler actually acted! The battles were great and there were some truly scary parts (my wife was clutching me during the Nazgul scenes).
So why not 5 stars? Well, there are some issues. Not the "it wasn't faithful to the book" issues. Those complainers are just plain foolish. It's a movie. They HAD to make changes. While I missed some characters, I found a lot of the choices the filmmakers made to be quite interesting, and some of them worked quite well. But I do think the movie dragged a trifle in places; a lot of exposition and traveling and a little too much worshipful music tended to make thing seem a little tedious at times. Don't shoot me, just a little, and only a times. I also think, pardoxically, the battle scenes were a little too frenetic. Edits were so fast I often had a hard time figuring what exactly was happening (although the fast edits did keep me tense in my seat). These pacing issues keep the movie from being 5 stars for me, but it's still darn good. Some of the scenes, well, I don't want to spoil anything, but there are some killer scenes. Sauron vs. Gandalf: awesome. Nuff said.
Rating:
Summary: best movie this year
Review: While I have read other negative reviews, I can't help wonder if these people just don't have any joy in their lives. This movie could have gone on for another three hours. I absolutely loved it and cannot wait to see the next one. Everything in the movie for me was top notch, especially the bond that occurs between the fellowship. I thought this was done well.
The fighting was awesome, as with the scenery. The movie was just ran at a fast pace and was able to keep the viewer informed and interested. I do admit that are some flaws, but it did nothing to distract me from the movie. Definitely check this movie out, again and again, until part two comes out.
Rating:
Summary: Looking Forward to December 2002
Review: I enjoyed the movie. It wasn't "true" to the first book of Tolkein's trilogy. Arwen played too large an on-screen role (not surprising, given the casting), as did Sauron. Galadriel came off as far less regal than in the book. Bree, Rivendell, and Lothlorien were given short shrift. Significant matter was lifted from "The Two Towers" -- I suppose in order to maintain a single timeline -- and cut from "The Fellowship of the Ring" -- doubtless to satisfy studio cheeses who assume anything over 3 hours will die at the box office (can you say "Kenneth Branagh's 'Hamlet'"?). There were a couple of unnecessary "dramatic" moments and a couple of equally unnecessary moments of slapstick. The effects were very good, though the director seemed too attached to a couple of them. The "forced perspective" made the hobbits appear comically small. (I am sure that Tolkein describes Frodo as "tall for a hobbit" or some such, giving the impression that he was nearly 5 feet tall.) The Watcher In The Water is overplayed, as are Saruman's orcs, and "arrow cam" was worn out by the end of "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves." On the other hand, Gandalf's fireworks at Bilbo's party were truly spectacular, and the Balrog and the scene at the river ford were well worth the wait. The music was generally good, as were the sound effects. I thought the casting (other than Liv Tyler, though she did fine in the role manufactured for her) was generally good, and heartily disagree with the other reviewer about Boromir and Aragorn. I think both were well played. Ian McKellan was a bit bumbling early on, but then so Gandalf appeared in FOTR. Ian Holm seemed a bit off his game as Bilbo. Elijah Wood was quite good, if seeming a bit young for the part, and Sean Astin was a stout Samwise Gamgee. If you are looking for a literal reenactment of Tolkein's "The Fellowship of the Ring," you may be disappointed. If you are looking for an enjoyable movie that should leave you anticipating its sequel, go see it.
Rating:
Summary: A must-see film
Review: I saw this film with huge expectations and am pleased to say that the film matched and went well beyond what I had hoped it would be. In fact I'm going to see it again very soon and few movies have called me back to the theatre so soon as this one has. It's such a huge film that its difficult to take it all in in one sitting - there is so much to see, consider and enjoy. Its almost 3 hours long (but I wouldn't have minded if it was 4 hours or more!) but you don't realise this as the film goes by in a flash. It was so immersive that at times you really were there with the Fellowship and not a mere spectator in a darkened theatre. What to like? Just about everything! - the wonderful and perfect casting esp Gandalf and Frodo, the great scenery and costumes, the amazing well-done translation of the story...(yes its not 100% true to the story but it could never be in 3 hours and lets face it a lot of Tolkien is slow/redundant unless you wanted a 30 hour movie with every song, poem and history in the first book), the amazing action scenes and the brilliant CGI! Carrying it all along are wonderful little Tolkien lore flourishes and added humour by Peter Jackson all which adds variety and dimension. One of the highlights for me was the moving camera-work which really brings you into the story and helps fully realise the grandeur, beauty and horror of Middle-Earth. And there is more to come as FOTR is only Part 1 of 3 - with two more films to fully deliver on the whole LOTR story. How does it compare to other films? - well its an action epic - and will now definitely set the benchmark in this genre. Its the best action movie I have ever seen and puts the likes of the very disappointing Star Wars Phantom Menance and the very average Harry Potter: TPS to shame. The doubters? Well there seems to be only a few of these so far and you can read a couple of their reviews here but the large majority of critical, hardcore Tolkien fan and casual viewer reaction has been overwhemlingly positive. This film may be one of the greatest ever made - and especially so when the trilogy is complete and the whole story stands on its own. Beg, borrow or steal a ticket to this movie! You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Long Movie
Review: Lord of the Rings was good, but not great. It did keep me entertained through the unusually long movie and I only had to quiet my stomach grumbling twice. The visual effects were at just the right level so as to add to the movie, but not be so huge that they become the action - it deserves 5 stars for that. The acting was mediocre, but I preferred to have the relatively unknown actors as opposed to Hollywood stars. This movie, however, did not make me want to run out and read the books again. Tolkien set the stage for the modern medieval sci-fi adventure, and I wish he could have taken part in this film. I know I will go to see the sequels, but only because I enjoy the plotline. If I hadn't already read the books I would not have been interested in even finishing the 2 1/2 hour movie. Why 4 stars?:
While everything seems to be in place, it just felt as though it was missing something. Perhaps it is only suffering from being overhyped and cannot live up to it, but I was hoping for something more. Still, it is not a waste of your money. This movie is entertaining and you will be get wrapped up in the characters, though the ending certainly does leave it wide open for the sequel.
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