Rating: 
Summary: They didn't capture the grandeur
Review: What's up with orcs going straight up and down sheer vertical pillars in Moria, like bugs out of The Mummy? The film had a fuzzy look much of the time. The music was annoying to me, too many choir voices all the time. They didn't capture the grandeur of the book, as Led Zeppelin's Battle of Evermore did.
Rating: 
Summary: A truly great fantasy epic!
Review: When a movie like this manages to be as succesful as it is (criticaly and financially), it may appear that something's not right. They would be right about that. A fantasy film this good shouldn't be successful, but thank goodness it is. Unlike some of its predecessors (and the animated versions of the saga), "The Fellowship of the Ring" doesn't get bogged down in mythology so much that it detracts from the main plot of the story. As a young Hobbit named Frodo (Elijah Wood) comes into possession of a mysterious and sinister ring, he is forced to leave his home in order to kee this ring from ending up in the hands of the ring's maker, the lord of evil, Sauron. As he reluctantly embarks on this quest, he is helped by a small band of warriors (and fellow Hobbits) to see that tis task is accomplished. But as they all soon discover, fighting the evil forces that seek the ring is not the only problem they face... It's hard to point out a fault with this film. Everything in this film (from the casting to the production to the stunning score by Howard Shore), is next to pitch-perfect. The only real complaint is that the film ends with a open-ending. But since there's two more films to go in the trilogy (and coming soon enough), it's a very minor complaint. "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" was definitely one of my favorite films last year, and from the way it looks, one of my favorite films this year. Very highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A Supreme Cinematic and DVD Masterpiece
Review: When FOTR was released, no one thought it would be as good as it is, including myself. But the surprise that greeted me and I suspect, many others, was a fantastical and magical delight that will reverberate for ages.Star Wars and Spielberg got movie goers veered from the 60s epics like Lawrence of Arabia into entertainment blockbusters that has seen been the cornerstone of Hollywood commercialism for years. While Star Wars and the Indy films deserve their place in moviedom, I will never place them in the same league as literally and intellectually more challenged films like Lawerence. Hence, the adaptation of LOTR must seem daunting, not least, almost impossible to surmount. Yet, Peter Jackson has created nothing short of a masterpiece. This is, bar none, the best adaptation cinema has ever achieved. Why? Simply, from the first frame until the last, every moment is pure cinema magic. Great casting, superb performances and a well delivered script is just the beginning. The technical merits are almost singularly supreme. The Howard Shore score, the Andrew Lesnie cinematography and the wonderful production design by Grant Major ... one word. Brilliant! But it is not just the various elements of this film that is excellent, but the sum of it all, seamlessly integrated by Jackson, carefully crafted and a labour of love by all involved that makes this film transcends all fantasy movies that comes before. And perhaps, after. Not just this, the DVDs supplied by New Line is another remarkable accomplishment. The simpler 2-set version is far more luxurious than most other titles' 'deluxe' editions. And then, there is the Special Extended Edition (SEE). Everything a DVD lover could ask for, the SEE delivers, and more. Best video transfer ever, and the best soundtracks in both DTS ES and Dolby EX are supplied over 2 discs just for the film, with 4 commentaries. That's both quality and quantity, in ample supply. Then, there is the Appendices, the most comprehensive making of supplements we will ever see for one film, until films 2 and 3 that is. If you thought T2:Ultimate Edition was film school on a disc, then this surely must be the Princeton or Oxford for DVD supplements and special editions. So much to gather from, from the background to the filming to post-production, there is so much to go through, yet not a single moment is boring. The DVD set has just taken the best and most innovative elements of DVD evolution over the last few years and fused them into one set, dedicated to one film, and a masterpiece of a film. Forget the Pearl Harbor 4-disc set, this is the one to go for, and will set the bar so high, it will be difficult for others to follow. Long after you have gone through the entire 4 discs, you will come back, again and again ... just to relive the film and the making of it. This is film making at its best, and DVD at its pinnacle. Supreme.
Rating:
Summary: The "star wars" of our generation.
Review: When going into this film, many of the younger viewers had never even heard of the books, much less read them. However, Peter Jackson does such an extraordinary job of drawing people into this masterful adaptation of JRR Tolkien's classic trilogy, that it's hard to not fall in love with beloved characters like the extremely lovable and loyal Samwise Gamgee. The special effects in this film (i.e. Rivendell; the cave troll) put even the best to shame, and Jackson's devotion to the books is incredible and makes the film come to life even more. The fact that he actually took the time to construct the set for Hobbiton and let it germinate for a year boggles the mind. In the words of Christoper Lee: "Middle-earth exists, and it is New Zealand." My prediction: Fellowship of the Ring will be hailed for years to come as one of the most beloved and well-made films to come out of Hollywood. Bravo Mr. Jackson.
Rating:
Summary: Measure for measure
Review: When historians finally have enough distance from our times to look at them upon with a certain objectivity, they will no doubt see a strange irony in the fact that, but a few months after the event that still lives so vividly in our memory that we scarce need even recall it by name, Americans would flock to the theaters for the first installment of a trilogy whose second part has no other name than the"The Two Towers." Many, no doubt, find in these films only escape into a so-called fantasy world - as if the most flourishing products of our imagination, like our dreams, don't often press into the very heart of things. And some are perhaps so jaded that they will discover in the form our newly-baptized axis of evil. But hopefully there are others astute enough to realize that Bin Laden and North Korea (and perhaps some day we might even be so bold as to say the same about Hitler, Stalin...) are nothing more than footnotes to history, whereas its deeper core consists solely in the seemingly unstoppable advance of humankind's dominion over nature and thereby over himself, moving towards no other end than man's self-servitude to a power that has no other end than power itself. And they will likely wonder why the same people who seemed to gasp and shudder at sight of the Twin Tower's collapse, would take pleasure in its cinematic repetition - as if, in the fantastic privacy of the movie theater, we might confess what we dare not admit to ourselves: that we delighted even as we shuddered, and that our terror and sadness, however deeply felt, was not without a certain pleasure at the sight of something that, amidst all the endless hyperbole, finally seemed to fit the measure and key of the times.
More than any other Hollywood "fantasy" epic that I can think of, this film had a chance to take a more reflective stance towards "terror." Gone is the vision of a "good empire" or "confederation," and other such remnants of cold-war Ideology. Here, more than anywhere, it seems clear: all "empires" are evil, and above all the empire over nature itself. And yet it remains hovering in schizoid Hollywood delirium. The essence of Americanism, a philosopher once said, consists in the absolute lack of measure. The Twin Towers, the limitless extension of the "American Way," are only the most obvious signs of this infinite immoderateness in everything. With every year, Hollywood's product become more gargantuan, more titanic - with subtlety, cinematic coloratura, silence tossed to the wind in favor of a string of gestures, each grander than the next. "The Ring," sadly, is no exception. Hobbits notwithstanding, we find only destruction of the immoderate painted in such immoderate, fantastic strokes, that no space for reflection and questioning remains. .
Rating:
Summary: Certainly and Undoubtably Amazing
Review: When I came out of the theatre after seeing Lord of the Rings : Fellowship of the Ring, two phrases were in my mind. "Wow." and "When is the next one coming out?"
Fellowship of the Rings was absolutely amazing. The acting, the directing, the camera work, the effects . . . everything was just pure awe. This movie basically sets up the series, introducing the "Fellowship of the Ring" which will be the ones who will save mankind, fairykind, elfkind, and all the other kind who are good. The Fellowship consisted of a group of 9 who all have their own backstory. The actors (Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Ian McKellen, and more) portray their characters heartfelt. You begin to care for every one. I've got to note Liv Tyler in her short role. She was beautiful and did very well with it. I've read her role will be expanded in the second movie, and I'm glad of it. Cate Blanchett was also mesmerizing as the Elfen Galadriel. Peter Jackson, the director, did a very good thing with this movie. He's made a classical epic. After seeing the movie, I'm very tempted to read the book. I'm sure to become a big fan of The Lord of the Rings.
Rating:
Summary: More is better
Review: When I first got this I didn't know what to expect. Typically on dvd's the deleted scenes are mostly useless and don't really serve much purpose and are deleted for a reason. In this case it is completely different. Peter Jackson had to cut the film down to 3 hours for the theater, but filmed the extra 30 minutes as part of the movie itself. These 30 minutes completely change the movie. They are a step closer to the book in the sense things see a little less rushed than with the theatre version. For instance, more is added in the start to help create the relaxed mood, mixed with the growing knowledge that something dark is going to happen and this makes the tension build a little better, whereas in the standard they seem to run off into the darkness from the start. The scene in Lothlorion furthers this as well because they spend slightly more time there so tension doesn't suddenly switch from high to low to high. Rather it starts low at the beginning, gradually builds up and then maintains the overshadowing darkness expressed by the book even when they arrive at Rivendale. The standard addition is also quite good and I wouldn't say that the extended is drastically different, but the slight differences do make it a lot better in my view (which is saying a lot considering how good the standard version is). If you have the extra cash, I would highly recommend getting this. I personally have both.
Rating:
Summary: Totally Worth It!
Review: When I first heard about this movie, I was reluctant to go. I thought the plot was boring and me, usually a chick-flick and comedy lovers, wasn't interested. But somehow I was convinced to go. Turns out this movie was very interesting. You must pay attention throughout the movie, at every detail or you may get confused later on in the movie. This plot is very complex, and I still notice things I never did the other times I've seen the movie (and I've seen it 8 times!)! Besides the adventure, there is some comical relief (mostly thanks to the character: Pippin), and there are some scenes that can make you very emotional (I have cried during some parts of this movie!). Now, the plot... For those who never read the books, I will start off by saying: pay attention to the movie! You can catch on. I personally haven't read the books (but the movie encouraged me, and I am currently reading LOTR: FOTR) and I still could pretty much understand what was going on. At the begining of the movie, there is around 15 minutes of background on how Bilbo Baggins got the "One Ring" that rules all the other magic rings (basically, it gives a brief background on Bilbo, in which was given in the book "The Hobbit"). I must admit when I was watching the narrative section of the movie, I was afraid it would be like this for the entire movie, thus making it a snore-fest. But don't let the begining fool you, it isn't told by a narrator throughout the movie. Eventually, Bilbo Baggins gives the One Ring to Frodo, his nephew (with the help of Gandalf the gray). All are oblivious at first, on what terrible things are impending. Orcs, Ring Wraiths (the Black Riders), and dark lords await them. Frodo must destroy the ring before Sauron gets hold of it or there will be Hell on Middle-Earth. If you have read the books, you'll find that the movie ends near the begining of the Two Towers book. I don't know why they do this, but I am in a way glad they did this, because they have the best battle scene (so far) now in FOTR! And I'm 1/3 the way done with my book and have noticed many differences, but I still believe they did a pretty good job with the movie. They had to rearrange some conversations or events into different parts of the movie, but they make it work together and give all the neccessary information to understand what is going on. I will say that some people may get bored with this, but probably most of them didn't pay attention, or else don't like movies that either make them think or has no romance. Well, there is maybe a 10-minute romance scene in the entire movie (which gives some valueable information)! If you are a female and totally hate fantasy adventure movies, but somehow get inside the theater to see LOTR, be sure to check out the hobbit, Frodo (played by Elijah Wood), and my personal favorite, Legolas (played by Orlando Bloom), the elf archer. And this goes for any age! I'm 14 and I "drool" over the hot elf, but how seen women in their 30s and 40s gawking over him! The two hotties can most likely help make the movie more tolerable! ;o) Now, I also like the character Pippin (played by Billy Boyd) who so far seems more stupid than in the book...but make no mistake, he's hilarious! Keep an eye out for him and his piffy comments! ;o) Overall, this movie is awesome, a must see! The only downside is the ending. Since this is part of a trilogy, they leave you with a cliffhanger, but the ending isn't exciting. It doesn't end with the Fellowship surrounded by Orcs or anything like that, but it still makes you crave for more. And I personally can not wait until December to see the next one!
Rating:
Summary: More Than I expected!
Review: When I first heard of this movie I was worried about the rating. I detest violence. However I was suprised. The gore waas spread out, which made it pretty watchable. That wasn't all, though. The actors were absolutly perfect, especialy Gandalf.The script was great, and I was just shocked by the special effects, so much so that I just had to by all the books on the making of this movie that I could find. Also, sitting on my desk, are the entire set of Lord Of The Rings action figures™. IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THIS FILM WATCH IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!!!!!!!! It's great!
Rating:
Summary: Thrilling!
Review: When I first heard that a movie was going to be made out of my favorite book of all time, my first reaction was absolute horror! I considered Lord of the Rings to be singularly untranslatable to screen and started reliving my nightmares of the 1980s cartoon versions. I was slightly less apprehensive when I learned that it was not going to be a cartoon and that the director was Peter Jackson. With my fears still not relieved, I walked into the theatre expecting to be horrified and to leave in tears with what they had done to a masterpiece of literature. I was pleasantly surprised when the movie started playing across the screen. Elijah Wood played an excellent Frodo and Sir Ian McKellen was a breathtakingly realistic Gandalf. The special effects, while not the focus point of the movie, were certainly amazing. The costumes accurately reflected LOTR and were brilliant in and of themselves. Although having already read the books was helpful to understanding the movie, it is absolutely not essential to the enjoying of this magnificent retelling of Tolkien's classic tale. While some characters were missing, it hardly detracts from the storyline. Readers will miss Tom Bombadil, the Sackville-Bagginses, and Sam's Gaffer but their absence does not make this movie any less enjoyable. The most common complaint I have heard refers to the larger role Arwen, daughter of Elrond, plays in the movie. Without her introduction early, the marriage to Aragorn in the Return of the King would have been highly confusing, as she does not come into the story later, save for a small paragraph in the Two Towers where her name is not even mentioned. Also, while I am not a feminist, the lack of strong female characters, except for Galadriel, was somewhat alleviated by her appearance and made the movie more appealing to female watchers. Tolkien purists, I am sure, will probably disagree with me. Overall, I would have to give this movie 5 stars, both as a movie alone, and as a retelling of J.R.R. Tolkien's book. Thus far I have watched the movie 8 times and read the book 15 times.
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