Rating: Summary: Joyously, Not What I Expected! Review: I waited to see this movie until it came out in the (price) theater because it just didn't appear that great from all the previews that I saw. It wasn't my type of movie. Violent, fantasy, etc. However, when I did see it, I was in shock! Yes, it was a little bit violent, but not in a hideous way. There was no blood shed. There was none of the "drawing the movie out", it was exciting and adventurous to the last second. Elijah Wood was excellent as Frodo. Everyone did a good job, especially the newcomers. There wasn't too much romance in it, but enough to spark the interest of those who like romantic movies. It's a very mature movie, but the special effects are incredible, the plot was brillant, and the movie was just fabulous! I can't wait for the sequel!
Rating: Summary: Lord of The Rings - Extgended Version Review: I waited, I waited,,,,I anxiously waited for the extended versions release. It is NOT worth the money! It is not worth the money to watch any movie with the Aspect Ratio(s) of Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1. Especially, this movie. To release it in this format only for this price is a a crime. If Stuart Little 2 can at offer both versions on one CD for only $13.95 why can't LoTR extended version do the same for $29.00. Sure you get the full view of the movie horizontally as intended by the film maker. But if you like the vertical picture to fill only HALF the size of your TV screen when watching go ahead and buy it. I tried watching it on my 50inch big screen and it made every charactor look like a hobbit from 4 feet away! Hey, thats an idea. Let just put on the box 'ok' for children under 4. They like to sit 2 feet from the screen when watching TV. And they would just love everything looking like little hobbits. - My take, im outta here. `jd
Rating: Summary: Easily deserves 5 stars Review: I want to start by saying that I am a long-time Tolkien fan, but this review is not about the literary masterpiece, but the movie based on the masterpiece.I was perusing the myriad 1500+ reviews for this DVD, and noticed the few-and-far-between single star reviews. Many of the people who rated this movie as 1 star all but state that they have never read the books and don't understand the movie adaptation. It does help to have read the book prior to watching the film, but it is not necessary. For those people who thought they were going to see Harry Potter, they were sorely surprised. Harry Potter is rated PG because it is family friendly, but deals with mythical powers that some children may not be able to understand. LOTR, on the other hand is rated PG-13 for a good reason as well. It is violent. It isn't violent because "Hollywood" knows that violence sells, but because it is true to the basics original story. Tolkien didn't create a fun-filled romp through Never Never Land. He designed and built a mythology based on a world caught in the depths of an epic Good vs. Evil struggle and how that turmoil was overcome. "The Hobbit" was created as a children's bedtime story. The LOTR series is definitely darker and visually is not for the faint of heart. As for the special effects involved with this movie... Some have stated that this movie is all about the computer generated effects. Yes and no. There are tremendous effects involved, but only to bolster the story and keep it true to Tolkien's grand vision. This movie could not have been made without the top-of-the-line and newly invented CGI processes. In addition, it could not have lived up to the epic scope as it was intended if it had been created completely on a soundstage with painted backgrounds and Vern Troyer (Mini Me) running around carrying a ring trying to save the world. Basically what I'm saying is that the people who are distracted by the incredible special effects and use that as a basis to bash this film may simply have ADHD and they should really get that checked out.
Rating: Summary: The Spectacular Lord of the Rings Review: I wanted to make sure that the movie was going to be true to what Tolkien wrote in his books and thought that it could not be anywhere as good as the book. Although some scenes were changed and some events were taken out the movie was spectacular. The likeness of the characters to the way tolkien described them and the way I imagined them was fantastic. The acting was superb, all of the actors did a great job in their respective rolls. Now that I have seen book one I can't wait to see how they are going to make books two and three. Take it from this long time Tolkien fan the movie is worth seeing. I think Tolkien would be pleased if he were here to see what they have done.
Rating: Summary: Simply stunning - a must see. Review: I was a bit skeptical from all the hype that this movie produced, but as always, I was surprised by the outcome. This movie was simply amazing. First, the casting... each of the characters were casted perfectly, I think. Each did a wonderful job of bringing out the emotions of all the characters in the books... you can especially see this in Frodo, and you can see he actually looks incredibly frightened at times. The expression of the characters was fantastic, and I praise the actors for bringing this out so well. The effects - well, what to say about them? They were amazing as well. Everything looked so real, I sometimes forgot I was watching a mere film. The CG looked all real as well, almost too realistic. You'll enjoy watching the film, since you feel like you're sort of... part of the experience. I have to say that just a few things bothered me - one, the amount of times they used the slow motion effect on the camera, and two, the fact that just a few bits of this movie were slightly cheesy. You can't really expect it to be all perfect, though, and you soon forget the movie's flaws. I'd say this is, quite possibly, the best movie I've ever seen. I thorougly enjoyed watching it, and I simply can't wait 'till the next two come out. I hope they're as great as the first one.
Rating: Summary: Outstanding Review: I was a little worried that this movie would be like too many other movies made from great books--hardly recognizable as the same story. I was in heaven from the first minute! Nearly everything looked and sounded just as it should, from the round hobbit doors in the Shire to the Orcs and goblins at the end. The little Hollywood embelishment with the romantic scene between Aragorn and Galadriel was acceptable, as were the few things they cut out. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time! (Even tho I have read the books too many times to count!)
Rating: Summary: probably the finest fantasy film ever made Review: I was almost in tears in the theatre at the sheer, incredible beauty of this film and how well it adapted (it is *not* a completely literal translation to the screen, but that is not possible) the epic and mythic novels of Tolkien to the screen. I cried when Gandolf sacrificed himself and fell into Shadow. My significant other fell asleep. (Not a gender thing per se, most of the males in the audience were as enthralled as I.) I bought a copy and have watched it several times now -- by myself. Keep differences in psychology in mind if you want to buy this as a gift for the hard-nosed "realist" in your life.
Rating: Summary: A MUST SEE Review: I was always a little apprehensive of watching science fiction or fantasy films. So as I entered the theatre for the first time I was excited and yet dreading sitting through 3 hours of this thing. So as the opening credits started and the film began I found myself growing more and more involved with the characters and the plot lines. I was on the edge of my seat anticipating how Gandalf would get out of Sarumans evil clutches and if Frodo would live after getting help at Rivendell. The hours seemed to fly as the Fellowship continued their journey to Mount Doom. As the film came to a close I felt my heart going out to Frodo and Sam as the last words "We may yet Mr. Frodo. We may yet" were spoken. This movie is one of the best i've seen in years. It's dramatic, suspensful, funny at times and yet leaves the audience wanting more. I've seen the movie 3 times in the theatres and purchased the movie the first day it was released. I would recommend this film for anyone who is a movie lover. A definate must see!
Rating: Summary: A wonderful interpretation of Tolkiens masterpiece Review: I was amazed by this movie. Up until a few months ago I hadn't read any of the books or even seen the movies. In fact I was very keen on ignoring them. I read the hobbit a few years ago and thought "I will never read Tolkien again." Then I saw this movie. I read the book and,though I had seen the movie, I had my own image of what Middle Earth should look like. When I saw this movie again, everything matched up. Most of the charachters were perfect, all the scenery was exquisite, and Peter Jackson did a superb job in following the book. Many avid Tolkien fans will be disappointed (I know I was)to find the abscence of Tom Bombadil and the fact that Lotlorien was a bit distorted, but it is just too outstanding a movie to allow minor flaws to get in the way of its all around magnificance. I loved how well represented the characters were. Peter Jackson did a fantastic job in casting the roles. Although I was a bit perturbed that Boromir (Sean Bean) was so different than in the book, the rest of the fellowship was unchanged. Sir Ian McKellen was a MAGNIFICENT Gandalf, Viggo Mortensens portrayal of Aragorn was glorious,I was held in awe by Orlando Blooms overall skills as the elf Legolas, and I believe I enjoyed John Rhys-Davies'preformance as Gimli more than his role in Indiana Jones. To top it all off you have the four hobbits played by Elijah Wood(Frodo), Sean Astin(Sam),Dominic Monaghan(Merry), and Billy Boyd(Pippin) who had you rooting for the good guys throughout the entire movie. This is by far the most stupendous movie I have ever seen and it is a shame that only 5 stars could be awarded because I personally would have given it more. I anxiously await the release of the Return of the King. This is a truly inspiring movie. Peter Jackson is a true artist and I hope to see more of this kind of dedicaton and commitment to directing in future films.
Rating: Summary: Absolutely Perfect Review: I was amazed when I left the theater after seeing "The Fellowship of the Ring." Peter Jackson and his crew have done the best job on the classic novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. The scenery, the characters, the geographical locations in New Zealand and everything in this movie was done with such precision and effort that I smiled every time I saw something that I loved in the book actually appear before my eyes. This is easily, in my own opinion, the best quality film that I have ever seen. Let me get something straight. "The Lord of the Rings" is my all time favorite novel and I was really hoping that Peter Jackson, his crew, and the characters wouldn't screw up on the first part of the best fantasy saga ever written. They didn't. From the first minutes of the film, I was drawn in to the world that I know and love so much. The geographical locations and the sets in New Zealand were breathtaking and were crafted and found oh so well. The characters that were casted for this movie were the absolute best. Every charcter that was presented in this film was just as I had imagined the charcter from the book. Frodo, Aragron, Gimli, Legolas, and everyone else that played a role in this film did a superb job. A lot of har work was put into the making of this film and every last drop of it was worth it. The action in this film is like the pages of the actual book just came to life; Peter Jackson really made this movie from the actual book unlike other movies that were originally books. With the Academy Awards coming up, I truly hope that this film takes home all of the gold. It really deserves it. "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" was probably the best movie I have ever seen in my life. I don't say that just because "The Lord of the Rings" is my all time favorite novel but because of the sheer perfection that came with this movie. I smiled seeing something from the book appear on screen. This is a movie that you'll watch again and again. All in all, totally recommended. I can't wait for this film to come out on DVD and for "The Two Towers" and "The Return of the King" to hit theaters in late 2002 and 2003. Watch this movie, I guarantee that you'll love it.
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