Rating: 
Summary: The version we should have seen in theatres--a masterpiece!
Review: Don't bother to buy the DVD version of the theatrical release of "Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring." This extended version--enhanced by director Peter Jackson with 30 minutes of additional footage--is by far the superior realization of the first book of Tolkein's masterwork. And I'm saying this as someone who saw LOTR 14 times in theatres!As one of the legions of LOTR fans who were appalled at first to learn that it was being adapted for the screen, I was prepared for the worst. How could Tolkein's world--a world fully realized, in heartbreakingly beautiful detail--ever be translated to film? But like millions of fans around the world, I ended up being deeply grateful to Jackson and his visionary guidance of this project. The theatrical release of LOTR is indeed shining accomplishment and a delightful surprise for skeptics like me. It was obviously created by artists with a deep affection and respect for the world and characters that Tolkein created. And yet, however much I appreciated the efforts of Jackson and his gifted writing team, I longed for more character development. I longed for more of Tolkein's poetry and the singing that are woven into the narrative. I keenly felt the absence of some of my favorite passages of Tolkein's books. In the Platinum Series Extended Edition, viewers get to see what we should have seen in theatres. (In fact, I'll start the begging now--Peter Jackson, please, PLEASE let us see this masterpiece on the big screen!) This extended version is rich with additional detail that should make the work so much more accessible and enjoyable to those who have not read the books. We learn that, in the insular land of the Shire, life is simple, safe, and revolves mainly around eating, drinking, singing and making the land bloom. Thanks to a new narration by Frodo's uncle Bilbo, viewers get a much better understanding of why Frodo the Hobbit--or in fact, any Hobbit--is the most unlikely of heroes--and why his quest (and its ultimate outcome) is so improbable. This version is full of gems that will delight fans of the theatrical release. In some cases, we get just a sentence or two of additional dialog. In others, we get entirely new scenes. Perhaps the most moving addition is Gimli's description of the Lady Galadriel's gift. We also get a deeper understanding of Aragorn's inner turmoil as the exiled, secret heir to Isildur's weakness. We feel more keenly the ultimate departure of the Elves from Middle-Earth--and Arwen's bittersweet decision to choose the love of the mortal Aragorn over eternal life with her kin in the West. We learn that Gollum had another name before the One Ring drove him mad'and we begin to understand why Bilbo didn't kill him when he had the chance. Accompanying the newly-expanded masterpiece are some amazing documentaries about the making of The Lord of the Rings. I recommend saving these for dessert, after you've enjoyed Fellowship of the Ring a few times. They will increase your appreciation of the work in terms of filmmaking achievement--and you will be in awe of the sheer effort required to translate Tolkein's literary vision into cinematic vision. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Platinum Series Extended Edition is a MUST for any fan of the books or the film. I also hope that it will move more viewers to read the books for themselves.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't buy the collector's edition
Review: Don't buy the collector's edition, it doesn't have anything more in it except the bookends. If you only want the extended movie, get the regular extended version and save yourself $20-$30.
Rating: 
Summary: Great movie, but lacks the depth of the book.
Review: Don't get me rong. I loved to movie: The characters were well presented, locations were wonderful, and the BASIC plot was accurate. My recommendation would be to get the Special Edition DVD fo it's added footage and content. Or, for those who can stand book, (Me, I love 'em) read the books.
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie, Bad DVD
Review: Don't get me wrong, I love this movie. The writers took a long-winded book, and turned it into a fast-paced, gripping film. My problem isn't with the movie, it's with the DVD. Why do we buy DVD's instead of Videos? Okay, the picture is better, but the main reason I buy a DVD is for the extras! This DVD had crappy extras. No extra scenes, no revealing anything. The extras are little more than the trailers that we all already saw in the movie theatre for months leading up to the big sceen launch. Okay, but the movie's still great, isn't that enough reason to buy the DVD? Not in this case. Apparently they are releasing another version of this DVD in November with new extras! So I guess this release was just aimed at the impatient suckers like me!
Rating:
Summary: BUYER BEWARE!!!
Review: Don't get me wrong, this is a GREAT film. That is, if you could actually WATCH it. I have a Dell with a DVD-ROM and it would NOT read the discs for this at all. In other words, I spend all this money, only to find out I need a new DVD player to watch this since my Dell DVD player is too old (and its only 2!). The New Line website explains it as thus: "as all DVD-ROMs vary, we cannot guarantee that our DVD will work in all drives." No kidding! But this is a Dell, ya know, #1 computer in America and your DVD don't work? I've bought and watch plenty of other DVDs and they all worked smoothy. You think after hyping this particular DVD so much they make sure it can pass basic compatibility issues.
Anyways, they go on to say other TV-connected DVD players "might" be problematic too.
I strongly suggest you forego buying this DVD on Amazon... buy it at a place that excepts returns opened! Only by opening will you find the compatibility problems.
Also, maybe renting it first might be a good idea... most rental places return your rental money if you could not watch the flick.
Up with the Lord of the Rings!
Down with New Line "not-compatible" Cinema!
Rating:
Summary: Even better than the theatrical version!
Review: Don't get me wrong. I loved the theatrical version: it's one of the best films I've ever seen. But this extended version of the film is even more epic in scope, and even more personal and intimate, than the version you saw in the theatre. 5 stars!
Rating:
Summary: Cool but Scary
Review: Don't get me wrong. It's a cool movie...but it's scary! It has lots of cool monsters in it. And what was really cool about it--when all the wraiths came up by the hobbits at night on an old watch tower. There are a lot of scary scenes in it and too many people die.
Rating:
Summary: a nightmare for anyone who loves Tolkien
Review: Don't get this movie if you haven't seen it. It's awful in every regard. If you have seen it I'm sorry. If you've read the book AND seen the movie I am SO sorry you had to experience such a painful nightmare. In Lord of the Rings: Fellowship Peter Jackson has stripped the spirit of Tolkien almost entirely from the novel. What one finds in place of the mythic energy that drives the novel is technology. The landscapes of places like Rivendell are breathtaking and are clearly intended to give the film a feeling of grandeur. They do not achieve the effect their director intends because Jackson has forgotten that to tell a story you have to use language NOT just special effects and camera tricks. But this is exactly what I would expect from Hollywood where even in "art films" the difficult substance of literature and art is neglected for superficial trappings of style and craft. Entire exchanges between characters in Tolkien are reduced to one or two words in many scenes packed with clumsy dramatic pauses. Jackson entirely loses the sense of journey central to Tolkien. In Fellowship there is a sense that in Hobbiton everyone thinks all is well but a terrible storm looms far in the distance in someplace called Mordor far far away. This is achieved through the dark, intense conversation by firelight between Gandalf and Frodo in Tolkien. Jackson for the first hour of the movie makes no attempt to offer any such scene and instead squanders our attention by showing us fireworks displays in Hobbiton juxtaposed with impressive images of Mordor. Since there is no intimacy and feeling of protection surrounding Hobiton, no feeling that somehow when Frodo leave Hobbiton he is abandoning his stay before a nightmarish journey, because when we think of Hobbiton we think not of the secluded, warm atmosphere of Tolkien but just another pretty place full of spectacle. The mystery that surrounds Sauron and Mordor is lost since we him in the first minute of the movie. Even on the level of a mindless adventure movie Lord of the Rings fails. It lacks the excitement and momentum of Indiana Jones and the humanity and grandeur of Star Wars (the old series NOT the new one).
Rating:
Summary: Way better!
Review: Don't let me bore you with a lot of unnecessary words. This extended version of the film is way better and makes much more sense than the chopped up speed fest that was the theatrical release. It is closer to Tolkiens vision and is remarkably free from director Jackson's desire to rewrite a masterpiece of literature. If Jackson can keep his ego in check and play by the Tolkien rules the trilogy should film itself to success. Buy it and love it.
Rating:
Summary: Astounding
Review: Each time I watch an additional 'extra feature' on the DVD, I am astounded by the level of craft that went into the making of this film. Definitely a DVD to own and watch repeatedly.
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