Rating: Summary: This Movie Is The Best Ever Made! Review: I loved this movie. It's a joy the whole way through. This movie makes you laugh and tears you apart. The director, Peter Jackson really did a superb job of making you care about and ache for these characters. Elijah Wood is the perfect Frodo. I first saw Ian McKellan in X-Men and loved him there, but as Gandalf he really shines. Ian Holm is wonderfully funny as Bilbo. Viggo Mortensen is superb as Aragorn especially considering he was a last minute replacement. Liv Tyler is great as Arwen and Cate Blanchett is absolutely chilling as Galadriel. I highly reccommend both the regular and the extended versions of the dvd. The regular has many neat featurettes, an Enya video and way more. The extended version includes over thirty minutes of never before seen movie footage and a complete documentary of the making of the film. It's awesome.
Rating: Summary: Movie Magic but Poorly Mastered DVD! Review: I managed to get my copy of the Region 1 widescreen DVD early but I have noticed that the movie has been mastered with an incorrect aspect ratio. Or rather, the film is in its correct theatrical ratio of 2.35:1 but the actual DVD transfer is more like 2.40:1, with the image squashed slightly. Just compare it to footage of movie in the supplemental material on Disc 2 or footage from The Two Towers also on Disc 2.This is a great shame as everything else about the DVD quality is exemplary. I sincerely hope this will be rectifed, if not for future pressings of this DVD edition, then certainly for the forthcoming Special Extended DVD Edition.
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: Good to sleep by, view it for the extras Review: I missed it in the theatres but since it seemed like most of the reviews for Lord of the Rings were very good I decided to watch it recently on Pay per View. I may just have been tired but I found this movie to be very tedious to watch, I almost shut my TV off. The sets were beautiful, the actors seemed to be well cast (they did a good job of making 5'8" Elijah Wood look 3'8"), the story even seemed sensible but somehow the movie just seemed so very long. From what I've read it is almost completely faithful to the book, which is rare but good, I don't know what I'd change. Why was so much of the story shot with a bluish tint? I don't think I'll be buying it but if I do it'll be to watch in stages and for the extras', those should be really good.
Rating: Summary: You will find adventure or adventure will find you!! Review: I must admit for starters that I had never read Lord Of The Rings or The Hobbit. Having a well versed background and sci-fi one would think that I would have naturally gravitated toward it. Most of my early reading when I was a teen was spent trying to forget the drudgery of the rather "lackluster" selections made for me by the New Haven Public schools....but I digress. Simply put, if I had known Lord Of The Rings was this good I would perhaps be a more advid reader to this day. Bringing a story of this magnitude was no easy task to say the least. Now having read the original material I can honestly say that this is probably what J.R.R. Tolkien envisioned when he first concieved this epic tale. It was said that back in the 1960's Stanley Kubrick was first presented with the offer to make a film rendition of the Lord Of The Rings but passed it up. Saying that it would never translate into a movie. It took 30 years and the vision of director Peter Jackson to make him eat those words. This is about as good a movie as you are going to see this year. At least until LOTR: The Two Towers is released. The film tells the tale of Frodo Baggins, a Hobbit from the Shire in the realm of Middle Earth. Frodo is left to him by his uncle Bilbo, among other things, a ring. Little does he know that this small and seemingly ingsifiicant item would hold the fate of an entire world. Now I've heard some people complain that this is not a "complete movie" and to their credit they ARE right. This is only the first part of a trilogy. Remember all those commercials that said " The Trilogy Begins"? Simply put, this movie will set a new standard for the action adventure genre. Many film critics and historians often point out that George Lucas "borrowed" many aspects for his Star Wars trilogy from Lord Of The Rings. Now Peter Jackson brings it back full circle.
Rating: Summary: Great artwork.....lacking dramatic feel Review: I must admit that the ambience and the artwork involved in this movie is very fine indeed. I was quite convinced of the various sets and locations that they work conherently to present the narrative more real and believable. What I find rather lacking is the dramatic feel and force of the book. Take the bridge scene in the mine of Moria, for instance. In the book, the excitement builds up to the final showdown on the bridge. Here, it's another Hollywood hanging-from-the-edge-of-whatever scene that took away most of the gusto from the final scene. The departure of Boromir also went completely astray from the book, and I much prefer the way the novel presents the scene. Well, you can't make them all happy, and I commend the staff for great work they have put in. But I won't be buying this DVD. If you liked the movie in the theatre, however, you will be very pleased with this DVD. If you are a hardcore fan, then go for the extended version.
Rating: Summary: What a great value! Review: I must admit that the first time I saw Lord of the Rings, I fell asleep.. assuming that my falling asleep meant I didn't like the movie, I didn't attempt to watch it again until I saw this DVD set and figured it was a great value for the price. WOW, what I missed! I'm glad that I never actually saw the original theatrical version, because this extended version of the film is true to the book I knew and loved as a kid. While 4 DVD's seems like a lot to watch (and you probably WON'T watch them all in one sitting) there is just so much out there to see. This was truly one of the most ambitious theatrical projects ever taken on, and the extra DVD's provide so much background on the story, the people involved in making the film (a cast and crew of thousands!) and the intricate attention to detail in every sword, costume and setting. There are extensive interviews with the director, the producers, stars, artists and screenwriters and they all give their take on why the story and the film were so important. For a few dollars (and a few hours) more, you really can get a fuller experience from the first installment of the film, and it makes the second film that much more enjoyable. Can't wait for the third installment. Overall, a great investment and a must for any fan of this amazing cinematic experience.
Rating: Summary: Cure for Insomnia Review: I must admit this film was rather long and drawn out and I almost fell asleep several times. I found it difficult to take any of the actors seriously and I just couldn't get involved. This was disappointing as I was looking forward to seeing Lord of The Rings and unfortunately, just like most modern films, it was a big let down. Once again too much time and effort has been put into the CGI effects (still looks silly and unrealistic) instead of strong acting/actors and good direction. I don't beleive it actually went for 3 hours! uugggghhhh - any longer and I would have been in a coma. I don't hate the film, but it is clear this movie was made to suit the PG 13 audience, every scene is prolonged and spelled out and gushy, like it was made for kids and young girls. I found the goo goo eyes, hugging and tears all very irritating and unconvincing - and who cares when the charactors died or almost died - I didn't. It's a real shame they are making three of these! uugggghhhh. If you are a die hard LOTR fan or you like soft flicks I suppose it might be enjoyable. If you want to see a good fantasy film that will satisfy you try 'The Neverending Story', or 'Legend'. Much more exciting than this snooze fest.
Rating: Summary: George Lucas Be Very Afraid Review: I must admit, I didn't go and see this film till the end of January because I really could not be bothered. Up until that point, I thought Harry Potter was the best film I ever saw. How wrong I was. FOTR is outstanding. Full credit to the directing team, especially Peter Jackson. That guy rules. And also his accent kicks [rear]. I had tried to read the books when I heard that LOTR was coming out, but I couldn't because they are a very hard and somewhat confusing read. Lots of magazines had basic reviews and told the basic story, but the film does all that for you. There's a 10 minute introduction read by Galadriel 'AKA Freakish 4000 year old elf' that sets the whole scene, eg how the Rings came into being (yes there are rings, but 'The Ring' is the most important one). This intro sets the whole scene, and from that point on I was completly engrossed. The cast - wow. For the rest of his days, Ian McKellon is Gandalf. In the books, Gandalf is not really humorous, but in the film. he actually makes me laugh. All the hobbits are great, but especially Merry and Pippin. They are genius actors, and bring some light relief from what could be a depressing film. Orlando Bloom as legolas (lets just say, I never thought a guy with long blond hair, pointy ears and a tights fetish could be that hot). But the one that amazed me the most was Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn. I had never heard of Mr Mortensen before, but after this I guarentee we will be seeing a lot more of him. He is Aragorn, he brings the true spirit of who Aragorn really is to the screen.The Weathertop scene? Mercy me. The film also explains the whole family history of Aragorn better than the books (Aragorn is the lost king of Men). Of course the romance with Arwen had to be beefed up a bit,(its Hollywood for Gods sake) because she is the only reason that Aragorn is really fighting, he is fighting so he has the right to marry and make babies with Arwen. She is what inspires him. And also Aragorn is hot. Liv Tyler as Arwen is great, shes like a [Kickin]-Long-Haired-Perty-Necklace version of Elrond. The chase scene with the Ring Wraiths is woohoo! Oh yeah and Elijah Wood was good too. I watched Deep Impact recently and I kept expecting Wood to go 'This is the One Ring' It is somewhat scary, yes. I nearly wet myself in one scene, and thats because the Ringwraiths (black was so last century, darling) are so damn scary. They are servants of the bad guy, Sauron, a man with a Ring and spiky helmet obsession. Also if you have young children one scene with Bilbo Baggins, and a evil Uruk Hai will scare the [heck] out of them. The Cave Troll just looks like it has run into a wall too fast though. Yada yada yada, I have now seen this film about 4 times, and like a fine wine, it gets better with age.I have also read the books and (oh dear) all the extra bits in ROTK. I just hate the fact that we have to wait till December till the two towers (which is the best of the trilogy). The huge cafoodal at Helms Deep looks outstanding. If anyone wants to know where I'll be on December 16 its at a cinema with surround sound! And for all you movie buffs out there, yes you can see a car in the background of one scene! May the Blessing of the Elves and Men and all free folk go with you! May the stars shine upon yout faces!
Rating: Summary: Movie of the Year!!!! A Must See for All!!!! Review: I must admit. I have never heard of the Lord of the Rings before the previews started airing on television. I went to go see this movie with my girlfriend Naomi, and we were both blown away. This movie is fantastic. It has been a long time since I really enjoyed a movie such as this one. I can honestly say we were glued to the seats for three hours. The storyline is excellent!!The graphics are marvelous and the actors did a magnificent job. This movie definately gets my pick for movie of the year!!
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