Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed With What They Didn't Tell you
Review: Because I love Tolkien's LOTR and the initial FOTR release, I eagerly placed the disk in the DVD drive of my 11-month old Compaq Presario. It whirred three times and ejected the disk. After checking out websites and Compaq tech support, I learned that this DVD is so ''advanced'' that many DVDs' firmware can't read it. Don't buy this disk unless you check on the Interactual website for conflicts....
Rating: 
Summary: One of the best films ever
Review: I won't bother going into depth, who bothers reading these anyways? ;)
But this film is a truely fantastic, one of the best films ever created!
All I need to do now is purchase a copy of the DVD extended edition.
Which won't be for awhile, as it is a tad bit expensive!
But I'm sure it's well worth it :)
Rating:
Summary: Delightful!
Review: I should begin with the warning that I thought "The Fellowship of the Ring" was the finest movie I'd seen in many years. I grabbed the video as soon as it was released (using the excuse that my 15 year old son wanted it).
I did the same thing with this longer version -- and am not the least disappointed. Still no Tom Bombadill, but we were treated to a longer opening depiction of the Shire, to brief important conversations between various of the Elves and Aragorn, to a more complete cataloging of Galadriel's gifts to the Fellowship, and to other insightful additions, ranging from added lines to added scenes.
The longer version takes the film one step closer to the books, and does much to round out the characters, motivation, and action of the film. Definitely a worthwhile purchase!
Rating:
Summary: Better than at the movies!
Review: With the extra 30 min of film footage, this makes for a more detailed and dramatic story. I have watched it 5 times since I got it. The 2 bonus disc are great. It gives full detail on the making of the movie. After watching these disc you have to watch the movie again to see how seemless the special effects team was at making this movie. A definite must buy even if you allready purchased the regular version when it first came out you have to get this version.
Rating:
Summary: I don't know what there is to add
Review: This movie has been talked to death so much, what else canI say? The acting, the direction, the music, and the effects are all superb, as is the writing, which is overlooked I think. This is an expertly crafted film that retains all that made the Tolkien novel a fun ride while excising what wouldn't have worked for the screen. What stands out for me, however, is how Peter Jackson fleshed out the 'horror' elements in the script. This movie has some great 'jumps' in the old style tradition of 'scary c r a p happening all of a sudden, making you jump two feet out of your seat'. I do think the film loses a little momentum near the end, but that has more to do with the place where the film leaves its characters than a weak ending. This is a rich and rewarding film, even for a non-fanboy like myself. And as always, it's nice to see Christopher Lee get some work.
Rating: 
Summary: A failure on the emotional front...
Review: The movie(s), are everything that one could hope for in the visual depiction of Middle Earth, Hobbits, Elves, Orcs and Gandalf. Leaving aside the seemingly senseless deviations from Tolkien's original situations and "facts"; deviations that do not make their telling of the story "better" for the movie's sake-- the movie fundamentally fails because it does not draw us into deep emotional sympathy with all the beloved characters of this story. I do not feel in my gut the fundamental fear that the hobbits confront, the overwhelming import of the ring, nor the love that is developed between the hobbits, Aragorn, Gimli et al. The movie fails to elicit the awe and wonderment of many scenes, nor convinces in the depiction of doom, the chase, and the desperate adventure, the confronting of absolute evil, death and degradation. It does give way to Hollywood and popular temptations to be overly violent, and thus gets lost in scenes of excess to the detriment of deeper psychological meaning and feelings. Some visual depiction of the story and characters, I object to strongly and a priori. On the great whole, I agree that it succeeds brilliantly in the visual depiction of Tolkien's fantasy.
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: Should have been 5 movies
Review: Tolkien wrote the Lord Of The Rings epic as five separate books, and I've read that he was never happy that they were published as as trilogy. If only Peter Jackson et al had preserved Tolkien's intent in this, and in every other, way. Just think what the benefits could have been: 66% more revenue (5 movies instead of 3), 66% more screen time to preserve the ambience of the books, 100% of the cut characters and scenes could have been preserved, and on and on and on. Also, I've read in other reviews here that viewers didn't like where the first movie ended. I agree. The first movie should have ended at the Flight To The Ford (the rescue of Frodo to Rivendell)... just like the first book ends. This would, of course, leave the viewers gripping the arms of their seats begging for more... just like the first book ends. Hmm... are we detecting a pattern? So my point is this: If you choose to adapt a book into a movie, and you choose to adapt a classic, and you choose to spend 18 months and a bazillion dollars to adapt it, and you choose to film the adaptation in a "complete" and "realistic" style.... THEN why, for heaven's sake, do you not DO the book as written? Then, we would have 5 fine movies that capture the travelogue and adventure spirit of the Lord Of the Rings books, instead of 3 overly-clipped films that appear to only make sense if one already knows the books.
Rating:
Summary: Lord of All Movies
Review: When I went to the cinemas at the beginning of the year to see "The Fellowship of the Ring", I was somewhat skeptical as to how good this movie could possibly be, as movies converted from books quite often tend to be a complete and utter waste of time. So, along I went to the cinema, and what I was to see would keep me in awe for all time. It is vary rare that I passionately recommend any film, book or music album to anyone - but if there were ever an exception to that, this would have to be it. Whether or not you like the books, J.R.R. Tolkien's writings, fantasy movies, or movies at all, if you haven't seen this masterpiece, buy it - or at least rent it. This will be a movie that will be in the hearts and minds of many for a long time to come - like some of the older classics such as Gone With The Wind, The Sound Of Music and The Wizard Of Oz. Now, all that's left is the wait for the second and third chapters of this wonderful and unmissable trilogy.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible
Review: I loved the books and love the movies. Great acting, plot, direction, scenery, CGI, etc. May the Two Towers be just as great. Although TIME magazine says:"Good Lord, it's even better than the first one!"
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