Rating: 
Summary: A Great Edition Of An Amazing Movie
Review: The first edition in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy is one of the best movies I hae ever seen. Now it is to be released in an amzing FIVE disc set featuring all the special features any DVD buff will love. In addition to the hundreds of special features, it includes over thirty minutes of extra footage which will be a great treat for anyone who loves the books as well as the movie. All in all, this is the definitive edition of the Fellowship of the Ring. It will be worth the extra wait and will be the one to buy!
Rating: 
Summary: Grandly Entertaining
Review: The first entry in Peter Jackson's epic Tolkein trilogy is a grand visual extravaganza, not only technically amazing but also an emotional exercise in storytelling. On its own, it is impressive; if all else goes well, the trio should be even more remarkable as a complete whole. If anything, the film is worth seeing for the way it looks and sounds. The entire picture has the authenticity of a fairy-tale illustration, and Jackson's whipping direction is as exhilarating as it was in his previous film, the masterful, disturbing Heavenly Creatures. While it feels a little uneven--the long, long middle feels like one damned thing after another--it's a thrilling first act, and the satisfaction will come when and if the sequels manage to be even better.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: The first film in Peter Jackson's trilogy that brings the books to life was more than I expected. Most adaptations of classic and epic books tend to dissapoint. With all the hype surrounding the Fellowship of the Ring, I was sure to be let down. However, to my surprise, the film is as good of an adaptation as you could probably get. The special effects are amazing, the acting pretty good, and the film sticks to the book fairly well. The film is 3 hours long though, and does become a bit tedious to watch towards the end. All in all, it is an adaptation that works. Whether you are a fan of the books or not, this one is worth seeing. Especially while still on the big screen. And unlike recent blockbuster attempts such as Pearl Harbor, this is one blockbuster that doesn't have too much of a "cheesy-Hollywood-blockbuster" feel to it. I definately reccomend this one.
Rating: 
Summary: One Bad Movie
Review: The first half of this movie is very good. I love to listen to story and there are people telling the story... physically... in the first half of the movie. It really draws me into the plot. However, story telling disappears very quickly in the second half of the movie. The second half of the movie is filled with cheap special effects that don't do anything to the movie in my opinion. You see people running around smashing this and that mindlessly. There is virtually no dialog... no story telling... The second half is so bad that I actually want to leave the movie theater. If I have to compare this movie with another movie, I will say that the movie Princess Bride is a much better 5-star original. I have never read Lord of the Rings. So, I will go see the rest of the movie when it comes out just to see how it ends. If the second movie is bad again, I will skip the third and go buy the book and read it instead.
Rating: 
Summary: Lord of the Ring
Review: The first hour and a half went fast and was very interesting, however the next hour and a half went very slowly because the many battles were repetitious and unbelievable that four adults and three children can beat full armies of tyrants. Also I notice that some scenes showed the horse and some scenes forgot the horse, even in the aerial shots when the group set out over the mountain to reach Mordo.
Rating:
Summary: The Wait is Over...and It Was Worth It!
Review: The first installment of "The Lord of the Rings" is quite simply an incredible accomplishment. Considering how difficult it would be to satisty people new to the story as well as people who have read the books multiple times, Peter Jackson should be given the keys to the kingdom. I won't get into the plot. If you've read the books, you know it; if you haven't, see the movie. I will say that the film succeeds on every level I can think of. You feel like you are really watching real people (and other creatures) in a real place. The cinematography is absolutely gorgeous. The costumes, acting, settings, props, weapons, language...everything is in place. Having said that, will "The Fellowship of the Ring" be all things to all people? No. I imagine some will think that too much has been left out and that too much attention has been placed on action. If you've read the books, I think you will agree that Jackson has kept the action moving much more than in the book. What Jackson has left out as far as details of the journey and character background _I_ think are enough to keep the film interesting without slowing it down. I think people will be talking about this film for a long, long time. I saw several groups of people standing around talking about the film after it was over. They all seemed to love it. The film will probably send more people to the book, which is great, since this is one of the great works not just of fantasy, but of 20th century literature. The film will almost certainly be nominated for many awards and deservedly so. This holiday season, treat yourself to a grand adventure.
Rating:
Summary: Visually Stunning
Review: The first installment of the Lord of the Rings Cinema Trilogy (the novel was not, in fact a trilogy, it was one novel published in three parts) is a Visual triumph. Honestly I had my doubts about director Peter Jackson and his ability to bring my favorite novel to life. Jackson did much to dispell my worries.
The Special Effects were very well done. I felt a chill run down my spine when the Ring Wraiths attacked the Hobbits on Weathertop. I found myself impressed with the depth and detail of Moria and shuddered with the fear inspired by the forces of darkness in the few shots of Mordor.
The cinematograhpy was simply fabulous. Hobbiton was exactly as I pictured it, and this would hold true for every location in Middle Earth. Whether we were looking at the Misty Mountains or the Elven haven of Rivendell, I was quite impressed with the detail and the amount of work which had obviously gone into making this film.
As for the plot and the story itself, this is where it gets tricky. Having been a Tolkien fan for 19 years, I was bound to be disappointed. Missing characters (Bilbo's relatives the Sackville Bagginses and Tom Bombadil to name a few), cut out scenes (the Journey through the Old Forrest) and re-arranged scenes (the scene at the Prancing Pony was edited heavily and to the detriment of the story). The editing of the sequences between the time of Bilbo's party and the discovery of the Ring for what it is leads one who hasn't read the book to think very little time has gone by. However, those of us who have read the novel realize this is far from the truth. In fact almost 20 years go by!
Having said this, I must rate this film 5 stars. Honestly, Jackson did a FANTASTIC job overall. My quibbles with the film are minor and overcome by the films' strong points. Furthermore, unless Jackson opted for a film which was at least 1 hour LONGER than the 3 hour epic we have now there is NO way to get this film 100% right. Purchase this DVD and enjoy the genius of J.R.R. Tolkien as interpreted by the genius of Peter Jackson!
Rating:
Summary: Five stars until the end . . .
Review: The first installment of The Lord of the Rings trilogy is fantastically realized, lushly shot, and as intense as a three hour movie can get. Elijah Wood is convincing as Frodo Baggins,the good-natured and stout-hearted hobbit who unwillingly comes into the possession of the ring tht can rule the world. Ian McKellan portrays a wise and kindly Gandalf with so much humanity that the viewer needs him as much as Frodo does. The other actors likewise inhabit their roles with confidence, although none quite as distinctively. The scenery, both manufactured and real (shot in New Zealand), serves as a convincing Middle Earth. Even the music contributes powerfully to the overall effect (save a "Titanic"-like flute piece to accompany a water scene near the end.) So why only four stars? Because this utterly accomplished film fails to deliver any kind of resolution. I understand this is but one of three movies already shot; still, I strongly believe each should be able to stand on its own as a separate work. Otherwise, it's a nine hour movie to be released over three years. Even though the action itself could not be resolved, there should have been some kind of emotional resolution to give the viewer a firm sense of why it ended where it did. Instead, the credits start rolling after perhaps one of the most banal lines of the entire three hours. I wasn't the only person in the theater to say, "Is that ALL?" Even so, this is a movie not to be missed. Once all three films are available, you will be glad to have seen the first installment. People have compared this to "Harry Potter", also released this season, but "The Fellowship of the Ring" aims for, and achieves, a much higher level of film making. (Parents note: This movie is not for elementary school children, even those accustomed to violent fare. The intensity of evil and fear can be nearly overwhelming.)
Rating:
Summary: A whole lot of hype...
Review: The first installment of the LOTR trilogy was for me a whole lot of hype and not nearly enough meat. I had just finished reading the novel and was dissapointed with the overall telling of the story. Characters that had such vigor and life in the book, were limp in comparison and others were completely evicted from their places in Middle Earth history. I was impressed by the acting, especially that of Elijah Wood (Frodo), Sean Astin (Samwise), Viggo Mortenson (Aragorn), and Orlando Bloom (Legolas). Each actor made the role their own. The first installment follows the Fellowship (the characters responsible for taking the ring to be destroyed in the fires of Moria) on thier journey to destroy the Ring. This is the Ring that has the power to control everything. If Sauron (the big bad) gets his undead hands on it, he would rule over all of Middle Earth and causse death, destruction and mayhem. It is the responsibility of Frodo Baggins to make sure this never happens. He is teamed up with Samwise Gamgee, Peregrin (Pippin) Took, and Meriadoc (Merry) Brandybuck on this brave adventure through lands that they have only ever heard of in songs and stories. Along the way they are seized with danger and intrigue and nearly meet with the deadly Ringwraiths, Sauraons Dark Riders. They meet Aragorn and are taken to the land of the elves where they are joined by the rest of the Fellowship, and embark on the next part of they journey which could be the deadliest yet. While I was dissapointed with the film itself, the acting and the story it is trying to tell is definitely worth seeing. It can be enjoyed by all ages.
Rating:
Summary: The Finding Of The One Ring
Review: The first movie tells of the finding of the "One Ring." Evil begins to return to the land of MiddleEarth as the dark lord begins to search for his ring. This ring will allow him to cover the world in a second darkness. A fellowship forms to keep the ring from his possesion and try to end his eveil reign forever.
An excellent DVD with almost an hour of very good deleted scenes. It is rare to find a DVD with deleted scenes that are actually good. These deleted scenes have been put into the mocie itself so you don't have to watch them seperately, finally an idea that makes sense.
|
