Rating: 
Summary: A Fantasy Masterpiece
Review: George Lucas, please take note: this is the way that an epic fantasy film should be made. Brilliant special effects (and in LOTR:TFOTR, they will blow you away) should serve to complement a even more fantastic storyline. As today's cinephile knows, without an interesting script, excellent acting, empathy toward the characters, and a goodly portion of wit and charm, special effects don't mean a thing. LOTR:TFOTR will transport you to another world, and will make you feel at home there...Please buy this DVD, you won't regret it!
Rating:
Summary: They Finally Figured Out How to Make It Into A Movie!!!
Review: Get ready to be jolted in your seats! Be prepared to be entertained like you've never been before! It is raw candy for the brain, eyes and ears! I read the LOTR 3 times in my life. I am no disciple, studying family trees and such, although it is such a richly complicated story that many take on such hobbies. It is those individuals and only those individuals, who would not be impressed beyond belief with this initial taste, volume one of a 3 movie epic. Over the years I have seen epic novels brought to film and every time, borne witness to the decimation and defilement due to the plain inability to compress the vast wealth of imagination into a single movie. Example, the first attempt to capture DUNE to film, the one that Sting played in. Charges should have been filed! But in their defense, what can you do in only 2 hours? LOTR should take a full 9 hours of film before they are done. Dune is 1/2 the physical pages and words that LOTR is and only 1/4 as rich in environmental complexity. To those that make LOTR a hobby, pastime or quasi-religion it would require maybe 30-40 hours of film to capture every little detail in its pure form to make these folks happy. But if you are a 'normal' intelligent person with a taste for fantasy, and fond memories of your experience reading the LOTR, then you will simply be blown away! The technical as well as directorial and not to forget the acting, is frankly nothing less than breathtaking! I could see from my memories, how they could come up with each location and the depth of the characters, including the nuances of nobility in the characters, was not lost or simply forgotten. Remember how Aragorn closed back the ring into Frodo's hand? Remember the last wave of the Lady of the Wood? She carried an elven ring of power on her hand as well! Unless you have read the novel, granted, many of these enormous things is not appreciated by the audience. This is, and should not be, PG-13 though. NC-17 would be proper. The level of violence is way extreme. Should they continue with their attempt to stay true to the novel, then movies 2 and 3 will prove to be exceedingly violent as well. But let me make it clear, it is not gratuitous violence, but rather, it is well measured with the seriousness of the story line and novel itself. The violence is crucial to the story. This is not for the kiddies at all. Just because we have cute little hobbits, don't forget, this is still a grand epic of the attempt of pure Evil to destroy the world. There is no valor or bravery if you are not afraid. There is not strength of conviction or inner nobility, if the characters do not sally forth, even though they tremble inside and push temptation away. We see love and devotion to our fellow man, or hobbit, without it being tainted by sexual inuendo. LOTR is a work that seriously demonstates the hidden strength and power true goodness has in its struggle against unadulterated evil. Given our current state of global events, there are subtle lessons you can take away with you. The Fellowship, is part 1 of a 3 part novel, not a trilogy. A trilogy is 3 separate novels connected via commonality. LOTR is a single story, so large by itself, it required 3 'volumes' to capture it. The movie ends with what appears an abrupt cut off. But this is how the 'volumes' flow. They have simply done the most justice that I have seen Hollywood generate to an epic literary work in my life. Haven't you wondered why it has taken 30 years for the movie establishment to make LOTR? Because they knew that they'd never get it close and be boo'd out of town. Technology of FX and capital risk taking executives took on this mountain of a novel. They have done it very, very, verrrry well. This and the remaining two movies will become a cornerstone of modern cinematic history. Watershed works. Don't miss out on it!
Rating:
Summary: Buy the Extended version but not the widescreen format
Review: Get the fullscreen format for this movie since the widescreen format is too small. It only will show the movie on half of the TV screen. The extended version really shows the whole story. The documentary & the making of the film shows how great this movie really is.
Rating:
Summary: A separate Oscar should be created, titled "Masterpiece"...
Review: give Best Picture to "A Beautiful Mind" and other, lesser works. Peter Jackson's "LOTR" and to an even greater extent the extended "LOTR" are once in a lifetime masterpieces. Even just this first 3rd of the movie begins for the audience an adventure that will deeply involve you in the lives of the people of Middle-earth. There is laughter, tears, extreme ugliness and breathlessly heart-breaking beauty. Just like the book.
Unlike the book, however, the visuals are stunning. The soundtrack is exciting when appropriate, reverent and or sad as the situation calls for. The acting is superb.
Don't fail to purchase the extended DVD and give yourself the experience of a lifetime.
Rating:
Summary: Finally, we get to partake of the Fellowship of the Ring
Review: Given the major competition that is out there for "The Lord of the Rings," I think it is helpful to point out those who have not read the Trilogy will fare much better watching "The Fellowship of the Ring" than those who are uninitiated watching "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." In fact, this may well be one of those movies where the novices will enjoy it more than those soaked in hobbit lore and the history of the Rings. Elijah Wood is a credible Frodo, although there are almost as many shots of him looking worried about what is happening as there are close ups of the ring (I might be able to recognize the skin patterns on Wood's hand in my sleep). Ian McKellen, as would be expected, makes the most of playing Gandalf the Grey, bringing a most human dimension to the role while avoiding chewing the scenery except for those moments when the wizard unleashes the full force of his power. Cate Blanchett is a rather cold Galadriel, missing the spark that should take our breath away just looking at her. But ultimately the performances are almost incidental to the rest of what is happening in this film. While much is to be said for the stunning set designs, of which the mines of Moria stand out even above the Elven havens of Rivendell and Lothlorien, equal measure must be given to the enchanted New Zealand landscapes. The visual spectacles hinted at in the trailers are revealed in all their glory throughout the entire film. The fight sequences hold up well against the current contemporary standard, albeit without any wire work. Surprisingly with all the swordplay involved it is Legolas with his bow and arrows that stands out during every single battle. The orcs are suitable horrendous (and numerous) and the balrog certainly exceeded my expectations. But what really makes this film work is that the hobbits seem hobbit size and after the first time you see Frodo and Gandalf together you never give it a second thought. In terms of the controversies that exist, I think omitting Tom Bombadil was a wise editing move (the film is almost three hours long as it stands and there are plenty of other characters in the tale who refuse to take up the ring and the burden from Frodo), and buffing up Arwen's role does not bother me a bit. Tolkien's world is clearly male dominated, the Lady Galadriel and Eowyn being relatively minor figures in the tale despite their respective powers, and I can appreciate the idea that Arwen should be more than the elf babe who shows up and marries the King at the end. Now she will be a worthy consort who offers the hero encouragement and support along his journey. I have more second thoughts about Merry and Pippin being more so the comic relief than Sam than I would either of those. Overall, the movie is extremely faithful to Tolkien's vision: the door to Moria is just as it appears in the book, down to the proportions. The maps, the elvish runes, the lettering on the letter, are all precisely and perfectly rendered. Even more importantly, the key lines are all preserved from "I will take the Ring, though I do not know the way" to "Fly, you fool!"
Rating:
Summary: I've got the power!!!!!!70's version was WAY better!
Review: Glory to the ring! Zoom-a-loo! I've got the power! I have waited my entire life for this film and let me tell you that my knee-length black trenchcoat nearly burst into flames the moment that The Fellowship of the Rings appeared before me on the silver screen! I have been reading Tolkien for the last 25 years and I love all of his work! ( except all of that highbrow academic stuff that he REALLY wanted to be remembered for!) His writing provided me with a whole world of imaginary freinds and adventures I even had an imaginary Elf/gnome girlfriend when I was 24! His work made me begin work on my own one million page fantasy novel! I really liked this film. I think that the special effects are almost as good as the 70's version of the Lord of The Rings! I REALLY love that version too. My one complaint however, is that I always pictured Froto looking a lot like ME! Well, you can't win 'em all! Maybe one day I'll meet a REAL Elf/gnome girl and ride off into the Narnian sunset and go visit my buddy Harry Potter....or My friends and I could find a ring and ZOOM-A-LOOM off in search of adventure!!!!!Oh, if only! Oh, well. I gotta go crawl into the fort that I made out of blankets under my parent's stairs and work on my next novel! ZOOM-A-LOOM!!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: My own private Middle Earth
Review: Go see it if you have any feeling at all for the Tolkien books in your heart...you will not leave unchanged. Even so, every reader has their own, cherished idea as to what these imaginary places and people look like, and some of this is reinforced by illustrations that have been around for a long time and so linger in the public consciousness even when Jackson and the hobbitses try to change our minds. What follows is a by no means complete laundry list of what to look for... Extended dialogue when there is room for silence...wonderful quotes from the book have been ignored or trampled upon. Hobbiton is lovely and serene (Lothlorien, too), quite the contrast from the gruesomely rendered Isengard and Mordor scenes. Spoken Quenya is a delight to the ear, thanks for including it. Does Elvish architecture really include neo-Gothic traceries? Just asking. The Orthanc tower is superb...the definitive "bad wizard" residence. Too many battle scenes, often too dark, going on for too long (more of this in Two Towers and ROTK, of course). Partially enjoyable when Frodo enters the "wraith world" after donning the ring. The "orange eye" has lost its subtlety, though. Moria and the Falls of Rauros are painstakingly recreated and convincing as real places. There is a reason these films are compared to "The Wizard of Oz". Almost every character is memorable and endearing, with the glaring exception of Aragorn! Someone should have cast the "Isildur" character as Aragorn instead. Since when did a stoner/slacker type like Viggo inherit the Kingdom of Gondor? Though the ending is jagged and uneven, the book itself closes in much the same way. This is the one place we can blame Tolkien instead of Jackson.
Rating:
Summary: A Sinner Repents
Review: God loves a sinner come to his way of understanding and hopefully Peter Jackson will be as kind to me. After viewing the movie in theater on its initial release I was not overly impressed and ho-hummed the film. I was bothered by the fast pace and scant character introduction having no familiarity with Tolkien's work. I Was not keen on the director's fast edits during fight scenes (I make it akin to showing a dancer only from the waist up it just isn't the same as seeing the whole hog if you pardon the expression). So when the DVD was released I didn't think twice and didn't buy it. Then friend's of mine who did told me how marvelous they thought the film and so I began to wonder. When I heard that the extended edition was to be released I decided I would wait for it. It was well worth the wait. Much of my criticism seemed to wilt away with a re-edited edition restoring the film to its original concept. I am now awed by the technical and artistic vision brought to this work by a director and ensemble in fine form. Christopher Lee never looked so menacing, Ian McKellen so pensive and Liv Tyler so breathtakingly beautiful. Having now read the first two books of the trilogy I can avow that Jackson has done more that pay homage to Tolkien I believe he has excelled him as a storyteller. I can't think of higher praise than that.
Rating: 
Summary: Lord of the Rings, a Magnificent Vision
Review: Gorgeous, a masterpiece, one of the rare examples of one who took the time to get it right, from letting the garden areas of Hobbiton grow into a natural setting to the design of the various weapons used. The vision of Tolkien remains basically unsullied by the showmanship of hollywood. As has been mentioned a few characters are missed, Tom Bombadil especially glaring "Ho Tom Bombadil, Tom Bombadillo!". The beauty of some of the scenery and the Climactic battle in Moria are stunning. One thing I missed is the recital of the poem lines that are inscribed on the One Ring in Rivendell by Gandalf in the language of Mordor; "Ash nazg durbatuluk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrukatuluk, ash durzum-ishi krimpatul" . The biggest shock that comes in the film is the change that comes over Bilbo as he nearly snaggs back the Ring in Rivendell, the transformation of Bilbo from a mild mannered elderly Hobbit to a snarling demon is so shocking that I backed away from my screen in surprise, Bravo, Well done. Buy it. See it. Enjoy it.
Read all the books, including The Hobbit and The Simarillion.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: Got to love the best movie ever, in the best DVD package ever. Truly number one in the "bang for your buck" category...
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