Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful and engaging fantasy!
Review: I thouroughly enjoyed this marvelous film! The performances were wonderful, and the story was very interesting. I have never read the books, but I probably will end up reading them now that I have seen this film. It is brilliant in every way! Peter Jackson has done a marvelous job! I am looking forward to the next two installments!This film is magical! Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: A Classic in Every Sense...
Review: I too agree that it is completely unrealistic to expect the movies to "mirror" the books. The simple fact is, any and every classic work of literature that is made into a movie, will surpass the movie in various respects. No one's version on screen will ever match your own imagination, so stop expecting it to do so. As for the parts left out, lest Peter Jackson make cinema versions (not extended DVDs) that last FIVE HOURS or more, there is no way Tom B (or some of the "full dialogs" and activities) could have possibly made it into the film. As a Director and Producer, Mr. Jackson had to make some content-related sacrifices in order to keep the movies short enough (in the theatre) to keep everyone's interest. Remember: here in the US, the average attention span is not well-adapted to taking in even 3 hour movies. All that aside, I think the movie is absolutley captivating. And the box office and DVD sales of the SECOND movie are evidence enough of that to be sure. I think Mr. Jackson could have added a bit more detail in certain scenes, for instance the events that happened just prior to arrival in Bree (and the day of departure). How Sam came to care for Bill the Pony for example... But all in all I feel the Extended Edition is still an improvement on an already great film. There is much added context and some nice scenes that weren't in the movie as well. If you like fantasy films / stories of knights and the like, I cannot recommend it enough.
Rating: 
Summary: might cause nightmares
Review: i took my young brother and sister(jack and sue) out to see this movie when it was time to go home jack and sue came out of the cinema crying and frightend the next
day sue told me that she had a nightmare and her heart was
beating very fast so i am not shure if
kids who are a bit sensitive can watch it
Rating:
Summary: LEGOLAS IS SOOOOOO CUTE!!!!!!
Review: I totally LOVED this movie! Legolas is so cute! It was sad at some parts, and there is A LOT of fighting. It is really hard to explain, and I don't want to give anything away. If you don't mind some blood, and love adventure, you should see this, along with the other movie...He is the cutest, and is sooo my FAVORITE character!!!...
Rating:
Summary: I don't get it
Review: I tried to watch this acclaimed film from Director JRR Tolkein, but it was too visually static and flat. Perhaps Tolkein was too close to the project, having written the books and all - turning the films over to someone with a more discerning eye might have been a better move. Whatever it was, the film would still have not succeeded without a larger budget. I will definitely be missing the next two. Stick with the books, Mr. Tolkien.
Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece
Review: I understand that the November DVD release will include 30 extra minutes of footage. Wonderful. That does not render this DVD somehow unwatchable. Peter Jackson & his band of merry men have produced a miracle, infinately worthy of whatever acolades you wish to extend to it. That someone reviewed this film just to quibble over dirty hands ( did you see anyone with indoor plumbing in Middle Earth? Hobbits live IN THE EARTH!! Its made of dirt. Look it up. When your on a quest to save the world, you dont call timeouts to wash up.) or comparing it favorably to the pathetic cartoon version ( bloody aweful) is astonishing.
The film, on its own merits ( November releases aside) is marvelously cast, directed & produced. Face it - Tolkien was a better writer than Lucas, or anyone else in the field of fantasy. Peter Jackson has paid proper tribute to the master with this film. If you're tired of the mundane [stuff] that usually receives high praise amongst the Chattering Class, then this is your movie. Load up the DVD & get lost in Middle Earth...
Rating:
Summary: One of the best DVDs
Review: I viewed this last night on my big screen TV. I have a copy of the wide-screen version. This is simply an amazing DVD with great special effects, sounds and extra features. The cover says that there is an extra 30 minutes of scenes, which were difficult for me to find. Overall if you are a LOTR fan, then you should definitely get this DVD.
Rating:
Summary: More Lord of the Rings!
Review: I wait with great anticipation for the release of "The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, extended version". I am a big fan of the books, and to see the movie is like you are reading parts of the book. Notice I said PARTS of the book. In my opinion Peter Jackson has done a remarkable job staying true to the book, however you just can't fit a 398 page book into 3 hours. That is why I am so excited about this version, Peter Jackson has restored into the movie about 30 more min. Such scenes as the gift giving in lothlorien, the pasion and deep respect of Gimli to Galadriel, Gollum following the fellowship down the Anduin River, and Bilbo writing in his book; chapter one "Concerning Hobbits". I still admit even 3&1/2 hours will not be nearly enough to cover the first part of J.R.R. Tolkein's incredible epic novel. But this is a must have for fans of the theatrical version and of the books.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing, simply amazing!
Review: I waited a little longer to see this film. I figured I had waited this long, why not a few more weeks? I went to see it with my wife (who has not read the book) on a Monday morning and had the theatre completely to ourselves. I'm glad I waited. It was like watching it in my living room. (or maybe Michael Jackson's living room.) It's hard to describe the impact this film had on us. It was literally breathtaking. It took me almost all day to get the lumps out of my throat. Not that it was a tearful movie, it was just that emotional to behold. To see Tolkien's vision so diligently produced for the screen was well above any expectations we had. Bare in mind that this movie is quite different that the book. There are numerous characters dropped and scenes that were significantly modified from the original. However, I think it's safe to say that the screenplay was written with the understanding that some things would have to left out or modified. The thing is that they never took away from the core storyline. As long as that is in tact, we are in good shape. The great thing about the movie is that (I hope) it will encourage many more people to read these novels. If just one person picks up the books after seeing the movie, then I think Peter Jackson has done the job he was tasked to do. A final thought for everyone from a long time reader of the books... ...folks, you ain't seen nothin' yet!
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent!
Review: I waited for two or three years for this film to come out. I have been a Tolkien fan since the age of eight, when I read The Hobbit. I waited and hoped that I would not be disappointed. I was not. Indeed, it transended all of my wildest dreams. I was especially impressed with Rivendale; it was exactly as I had pictured it in my mind. The special effects struck me as better than any other movie that I have seen in my life. It seamed more realistic because of the setting. It didn't have to incorporate any of our modern day junk into it. One of the things that made me the happiest was to find out who was playing Saruman. I have long been a fan of Christopher Lee, and feel that he doesn't usually get a part that befits him. I haven't seen him in anything for a long time and it was wonderful watching an old villian return in honor and glory. Especially since he is the last one alive of the great horror movie group of the '50's and '60's. This role seemed to fit him wonderfully. He brought more life to the role than I had ever imagined was possible. I can only hope that he does as well in the next installment. As in all films, this one is not perfect. The thing that bugged me the most was the way that Merry and Pippin were portrayed. They are more like blundering idiots than intelligent spy-like characters that they are. They don't pull their weight as they did in the books. There were things that were skipped that were desperately needed. The thing that pulls the whole going away together was not used. They needed to show more of how hobbit-like Frodo was, instead of making him seem more like a human, which might be easier for us to relate to, but that is what Aaragorn is there for. Also, the introducing of characters that are not supposed to be there was very annoying. On the whole, this was a magnificent effort. The actors were well chosen and the film was well researched. They looked beyond just the trilogy and looked at The Lost Tales for more information, which helped cinematic viewers that want to know all of the secrets without any hassle. A commendable film.
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