Rating: 
Summary: The hype is right
Review: "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" may be a big-budget epic, but it's got the heart and soul of a well-crafted indie. That's a thesis that I've been considering ever since I first saw the film in December, and actively propounding ever since I saw it a second time in February. As rich and beautiful and visually mesmerizing as this first adaptation of the J.R.R. Tolkien trilogy may be, its most valuable asset is both immeasurable and increasingly rare in Hollywood filmmaking -- restraint.It's a quality you certainly won't find hiding within the schlocky morass of half-realized sentiments and outright lies that is "A Beautiful Mind," which inexplicably beat "Lord of the Rings" for the 2002 Academy Award. The joke's on DreamWorks -- they may loft and embrace every one of their four undeserved trophies, but at the end of the day, "A Beautiful Mind" is just another dusty relic on the shelf of forgotten Best Picture winners. "Lord of the Rings," which isn't a year old and has already attained classic status, moves on to a higher pedestal. Hiring Jackson has made all the difference. Watch his 1993 psychological thriller, "Heavenly Creatures," and then watch this film; you'll notice the same virtues: masterful pacing, a tremendous visual imagination, a genuine curiosity about character and, of course, restraint. In spite of the $100-million budget, "Lord of the Rings" doesn't feel like a $100-million movie. It has its sweeping panoramic flourishes and its eye-popping battle sequences, but they're integrated so unobtrusively, and with such enormous fluidity, that they feel absolutely inseparable from the story. That story, of course, is well-known: Frodo (Elijah Wood), that gentlest of Hobbits, has the most unenviable task of destroying the One Ring, which seems capable of corrupting anyone or anything (including the camera; Jackson focuses his lens on the ring so unnervingly that it assumes the magnetism of a full-fledged villain). Aiding Frodo in his quest are the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and the seven other members of the eponymous Fellowship. In an age of cynicism, there's nothing more difficult to take seriously than a fantasy epic -- how "Lord of the Rings" manages to be so effortlessly convincing, and so unembarrassing in spite of its proliferation of pointy hats and funny cloaks, is hardly the least of its miracles. The idea of Gandalf glaring into the fiery face of a Balrog and screaming, "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" at the top of his lungs inspires a groan on paper; McKellen, acting at the height of his powers, turns it into one of the most singularly riveting scenes of the year. That's ultimately what makes "Lord of the Rings" so thoroughly resonant and refreshing; behind the stylistic ingenuity and pitch-perfect ensemble, it has a very real sense of the human consequences of evil. And despite the PG-13 rating, there are scenes here that can and will make you squirm in terror -- not just the kind of terror that has you cowering in your seat, but also the kind that fills you with a positive thrill of gratitude, that real drama and real magic are still alive and well at the movies. Here's to the next two.
Rating: 
Summary: "A few boring stretches, but still worth watching..."
Review: "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" was an okay movie, it was definately worth the [money], but it had a few boring stretches. Like for one, they waste too much time mourning the characters that are supposed to be dead and here they are alive and back on their feet in two seconds. Another thing, I wish they would have shown more of Gollum, but instead all they show are his eyes or his hands, or else they'll show him from the distance but keep his face hidden, and that [stinks]! Now on to the positives. The part where Bilbo asked to see the One Ring again but Frodo declined so Bilbo got this freaky look on his face. I also liked the part with that huge fire demon, but I won't reveal the outcome of the battle because after that the movie goes downhill a ways, but slowly climbs up again. The battle between Gandalf and Sauruman was fairly stupid, two old guys grunting and kickin' the [stuffing] out of each other. And finally, Sauron, the forger of the one ring, looked really cool! He was like a Medieval version of Uber-Jason from "Jason X". And so, "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" was well worth watching, but had a few stupid or boring parts, so I (not strongly, mind you) recommend that you either rent this or watch it at a friend's house first before buying it.
Rating:
Summary: And Best Picture Should've Gone To...
Review: "The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring" was the one movie at Oscar time that truly deserved to rule them all. Alas, its chances were weakened by the fantasy theme and silly little complaints about the ending, and we all had to watch with dropped jaws as the fine, but far-from-great "Beautiful Mind" ended up taking the top trophy instead. A shame.But enough about all that meaningless award stuff. "Lord Of The Rings" is an epic, grand adventure in the tradition of such beloved films as "Star Wars" and, well...no other examples spring to mind. Of course, that's the beauty of this film: its ability to sweep us into a dream world the way so few can.There are only a handful of folks who don't know the plot, but I'll extend the courtesy to unfamiliars in a brief synopsis. Young hobbit Frodo (Elijah Wood) is given the task of transporting a powerful, dangerous ring (created by the evil entity Sauron) to its destruction -- and that's no easy job. He is helped on his journey by a great wizard (Ian McKellan), a noble warrior (Viggo Mortensen), and a variety of other useful creatures and friends, who together form The Fellowship Of The Ring. Their main distractions come from another, more powerful wizard (Christopher Lee), who appears to be in alliance with Sauron.There isn't enough room available here for me to go on about how excellent "Fellowship" is. I would, however, like to point out my fondness for the director, Peter Jackson (whose other credits include the fascinating "Heavenly Creatures" and the fun "Frighteners"), who has taken his vision of a classic book and so lovingly applied it to film -- he makes no missteps whatsoever. I would also like to say that I had no problem falling into the fantasy of all this; the special effects are stunning and the story is told at a good pace. Congrats, as well, to the actors, none of whom have trouble finding their characters.The last thing to discuss here is the much-debated ending (worry not, Amazon.com customers, I offer no spoilers!). Many feel that it just leaves you hanging. Others, like me, believe that it is a perfect, highly appropriate and nicely timed conclusion to a new masterpiece in modern cinema.
Rating:
Summary: A feast of the senses...a strength and inspiration
Review: "The world has changed, I feel it in the water, I feel it in the earth, I smell it in the air...Much that once was, is lost
For none now live who remember it." So begins the majestic prologue to the movie, The Fellowship of the Ring.
As the earth and all that is beautiful and good is threatened by a malignant evil, as 'One by one,
the free lands
of Middle-Earth fell
to the power of the ring." Like the book, the movie is spellbinding and compelling in the true sense of the word, as we get to view Tolkien's Middle Earth come to life on the screen.
It is actually quite remarkable how the mythic world of middle Earth has been made so lifelike, and how intriguing it is on the big screen.
The script is brilliantly written and the cast is excellent. We get to see all the wonders of Middle Earth before our eyes- The Shire, Rivendell, Moria, Lotholorien...
What makes the Lord of the Rings so inspiring is the hope of good always triumphing over evil, at a time when, at the beginning of the 21st century,
by the breakdown of a morality of right and wrong acts in favor of a therapeutic ethic which "feels the pain" of the perpetrators of violence. Taken in combination, these are powerful forces, to which the countervailing influences of reason, responsibility and restraint are as unequal now as they have been at any other time of populist ferment and generalized fear. With the end of the Cold War, we have seen, instead of a triumph, of Judeo-Christian values and Western democracy, an anti-western revolutionary amoral and cruel philosophy taking over the world. This leads us to fear that
Judeo-Christian civilization will fall, "and all will come to darkness", but we
Must take inspiration from the words of Aragorn: "I do not know what strength is in my blood, but I swear to you, I will not let the White City fall. Nor our people fail!" Thus we can take comfort that darkness will not triumph and as Gandalf so inspiringly puts it: "So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world, Frodo, besides the will of evil. Bilbo was meant to find the Ring, in which case you were also meant to have it. And that is an encouraging thought..." As long As we always stand by values of right and justice and freedom and never give up the idea that they will triumph.
Rating: 
Summary: What's wrong with you people??
Review: "This movie is the best movie ever!" "Only the best movie ever!" Ok, let's stop this, people! You all know if you use your head and think for a few seconds, that LOTR is not the BEST movie ever! What about Ben Hur, King Kong, Lawrence of Arabia, Star Wars, Superman: The Movie, Citizen Kane?? This is not the best movie ever! It's a greatly overrated movie! I don't care what you people say. It's an enjoyable film with, I agree, good acting and story, but it's still just a movie! Black Hawk Down just beat it at the box-office. Audiences forget LOTR just as fast as any other Hollywood movie. I bet that when Star Wars: Attack of the Clones comes out, you guys will say; "This is the best movie ever!" That's because you've long since forgotten about LOTR! Great movies such as star wars and superman: the movie are films that will NEVER be forgotten by audiences! Superman stayed 13 weeks at the box-office. The longest a movie in the 90's and 2000 have stayed at the box-office is 9 weeks or less! LOTR is no exception! This is a wonderful film! It's directing and it's cinematagraphy is excellent, but it's not the greatest movie ever! calm down, people!
Rating:
Summary: A Must See Classic
Review: "Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky, Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone, Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die, One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne in the Lands of Mordor where the shadow lie. One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them in the Land of Mordor where the shadow lie." This movie is a must see classic. It has great acting (except for frodo), wonderful story, and sweet action. This movie is most certainly my favorite movie. I have read the book, it also is a classic, and the movie stays true to the book. The thing is though, at the end of the movie it jumps from the end of the Fellowship of the Ring to the begining of the Two Towers book, but it is still easy to follow along. The One Ring falls in the hands of Frodo and Gandalf the Grey (he's a wizzard) tells him to bring it to the Prancing Pony and he will meet them (the hobbits, Pippin, Merry, Sam) there. Things don't turn out so well for Gandalf and they meet Strider (Aragorn) and he starts leading them to Rivendell. But on the way they meet som trouble. They run into the Nazugul, or Ringwriaths, beings of darkness, clothed all in black. They have no visible face. There in Rivendell the hobbits meet Gandalf and the Fellowship is created. Gimli the Dwarf, Legoles the Elf, Gandalf the Grey, Aragorn, Boromir, Pippin, Merry, Sam, and Frodo. From there they try to go over some mountains, but Saruman, who betrayes the good side, tries to bring down the mountain. That doesn't work so the Fellowship goes through the mines of Moria. In Balin's Tomb, inside Moria, they meet some Orcs. There is a ferousios battle between many orcs, and the Fellowship. It has to be the best battle scene in the movie. Then they get overwhelmed by too many Orcs, and they flee. Then a couple thousand Orcs surrond them but get scared by a demon from the shadow, a Balrog. Gandalf and the Balrog have a showdown, and Gandalf wins. Well, sort of. The Balrog pulls him down into the shadows with him. Gandalf falls, and the Fellowship flees. Then they meet up with the kind Elves in Lorien, then head towards Mordor (which is where they need to go to destroy the ring) by going down the Great River. They hit the banks, and are attacked by Orcs. The Fellowship is broken here, and Sam and Frodo go on thier own towards Mordor to destroy the Ring. Boromir falls, trying to protect the other two hobbits, and the hobbits get captured. Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas go after the Orcs to get back Merry and Pippin, the hobbits. That is where the movie ends. It is a great five star masterpiece and a must see. No movie collection is complete without it. I'm sure we all thank Peter Jackson for this wonderful movie.
Rating:
Summary: The Lord of the Rings
Review: "Ahh, the book was better..." may sound cliche, but remains true in this case. However, with such a difficult and ambitious task of trying to bring the trilogy to life, they did an incredible job. Just in the previews, I was exclaiming, "that's Boromir, that's Gimli, etc." The characters were close enough to my mental image that I could instantly recognize them. A VERY difficult feat. And it's equally exciting for those who never read the book (like Elijah Wood, for crying out loud). You will definitely enjoy it.
Rating:
Summary: Event of the year
Review: "Even the smallest person can change the course of the future." I've just seen the two trailers in the cinema, but I'm quite sure that this movie will become the event of the year. It looks very promising and I can't hardly wait to see it. Elijah Wood as Frodo is just the perfect actor to show all the facettes of the ring-bearer. When I saw him first in this role, I was totally convinced that he is Frodo. He has just the right look in his eyes. And also the other actors seem to fit very well. It seems to me that Peter Jackson has done a very good job. If you would like to get your imagination back, you should watch this movie. For fans, it is just a MUST.
Rating:
Summary: Good Beyond Hope
Review: "Good Beyond Hope" -- This was the featured quote from C.S. Lewis on the back cover of the Ballantine paperback pubication in 1965, and it applies to the first film as well. Of course there are differences between the book and the film; but they are in general tasteful choices and in some cases (dare I say it?) improvements. This film is not a replacement for the book, but a very, very welcome companion to it. I watched it through a veil of tears, and I think many Ring fans will do the same. It's that good.
Rating:
Summary: A BRAVO FOR THE TRILOGY & 3 SOUNDTRACKS
Review: "I regret to announce that this is the end. I'm going now, I bid you all..." the best. I sure will miss the rush of expecting more from the LOTR cast, after this, there's no more. I love everything involved with the movie and since I'm a composer (film score composer wanna be someday) I will miss waiting for the december to come...after this, the coming christmas won't be the same. I wish these movies will go on forever, but all WE have to decide is what to do with the experience that the producer and the cast left us with. To me, this has been the best cinematic experience of my life. These movied changed my life and I hope in the years to come anybody who watches the movie will still admire the great talent and work of the whole cast. enough said! 11/25/2003
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