Rating: 
Summary: Worth a (30 year!) wait
Review: First read the books about 1972. It has been a long wait for
the movie but worth it. Wish I could give more than 5 stars.I loved the touches of humor that got added. ... The dwarf tossing. Pippin in general, and the falling
armour had me rolling on the floor laughing, though I want them
to grab the damn chain. And how did Gandalf got his staff back
from Saruman to use against the Balrog?
Rating:
Summary: Deluxe edition dvd delivers on the promise!
Review: First, a confession: I've only spent two or three hours with the documentary section of the dvd, and it appears I have not even scratched the surface of all the commentary tracks, documentary footage, and behind the scenes stuff. That will take me several weeks it looks like, so I'll confine my comments more to the film itself. As to the 30 minutes of replaced footage: (and I say this as a diehard denizen of Middle Earth) Hallelujah! To look at this from a wide perspective, for those who are not fans of anything but the movie, it does not make for a better movie. In fact quite the opposite is true; from a purely cinematic standpoint this newer version is a bit clunkier and slower and some of the dialogue is a bit stiff. The added action sequences in particular, even if it's just the inclusion of a slightly wider shot in a battle, lack the crispness of the original. Mr. Jackson and company did their job well the first time. As to the technical aspects of the dvd format, suffice it to say that this should be the disc you take down to your local home-theater warehouse to demo equipment. It gets no better. The widescreen ratios and grains are seamless and the dialogue/soundtrack/fx balance is perfection. The surround is constant and skillful without being gimmicky.
For those who despaired of the lack of set up, especially of the interpersonal relationships that were evident in the book however, your prayers have been answered! Here is the bedrock of the Frodo/Sam bond that they play so heavily upon in the last ten minutes, now much better set up. Here is Aragorn and Boromir's dichotomy fleshed out. The gift scene with Galadriel is restored, and Gimli is finally more than a clown as his friendship with Legolas and his devotion to the White Lady of the Wood find a fuller flower. Interestingly, Merry and Pippin undergo a change from large to small screen, as they are much more violent and get a lot more licks in on the Uruk-hai orcs in the dvd, whereas in the cinematic release they were more often the victims. The largest footage difference is the first ten minutes of the movie, now narrated by Bilbo, and is an almost off-the-page recitation of "concerning hobbits" from the novel. (You can almost hear a New Line exec sitting in the screening room about five minutes into this going "can we get to some dragon-stabbing-arrow-orc-blood-sword thing sometime soon?") In the final judgement, for those fans of the books like myself who still loved the movie, but missed developments of their favorite scene or character, this is a great payoff. For those who jumped on the wagon for the first time at the Cinerama, they'll wonder what all the fuss is about.
Rating:
Summary: In a word, incredible
Review: First, I should mention that I loved Tolkein's writings, and read the LOTR trilogy (along with the prequel, The Hobbit) probably 3 or 4 times while growing up. I first saw LOTR in the theatre upon its release, and was mesmerized. For the most part, it really brought what I had read to life. However, the people with whom I saw the movie had not read the books, and I spent a great deal of time explaining things. I pre-ordered this extended version, first because of the additional footage, but second because I received with my order a coupon for a free movie ticket to see the second movie, The Two Towers. Everything that was added to the special edition version is wonderful. Some of it is necessary to the story, other times it simply embelishes it. But there is not a part in this extended version that is not beautifully done. Peter Jackson et al decided to include some more information explaining hobbits in general, and this is quite welcome. They also added the scene depicting the wood elves leaving for the ship to sail West. I can't even begin to go over every scene that was added or extended. Suffice to say, though, every single one was nicely done. Which brings me to my last point: all of the additional material is worked into the movie as it progresses. Howard Shore actually wrote and recorded music to go with the additional parts, and they are woven into the movie, rather than adding them to the DVD as a "Deleted Scenes" section. This, in my opinion, is what makes this edition perfect. Sometimes when I watch deleted scenes on a DVD, I'm left wondering "Where did this happen?". But the way this is done, you never have to wonder in what context something happened. All in all, I don't hesitate a second when someone asks if this version is worth the extra few dollars. Without a doubt, this is one of the finest DVD's I own.
Rating:
Summary: How different a movie can make a book become like new again.
Review: First, I would like to say that it has been about two years since I read the books. Last year, when I heard the book was made into a movie and it was going to be released this year at Christmas ( 2001 ), I really did not know what to think or expect. At first, I thought that maybe I wouldn't like it, hence I have seen other books turned into movies and didn't really like them. Mind you Stephen King's books into movies were the only ones I thought were good ( of the ones, I read ). So, knowing I had fallen in love with the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings, I really was quite scared about how I would feel about the movie.
To my surprise, I really did enjoy the movie. The scenery was breathtaking and I really felt like I was part of the story when I was sitting in the theatre. The characters on the most part did fairly well. There might have been a few that I felt did not fit the roles well, but it is only because I have kept up with that actor since he was young...but nonetheless, he did pretty good. I'm talking about Sean Astin as Sam Gamgee. I guess I felt it was an awkward character to play simply, because Sam ( to me ) is a complex character in the book. He is wholesome, sweet, courageable and a true friend, which Sean did. But, just seeing Sean in a different role made me feel funny. Frodo is another strange one for me. In the book, he made me feel that he was quite whiny. But, in the movie, Elijah Wood did a remarkable job on capturing the true essence of who Frodo really is and really touched me. The other characters were good too, especially Merry & Pippin's antics. Legolas stole my heart as the bowed man elf...I want to go on about the characters, but I also want to say that the plot followed pretty much of the book with a few different things, or should I say, what I can re-collect from memory.
All in all, if you are going to see the movie and whether you read the book or not, keep a level head about going into the film. You have to expect the length, and the storyline. It just is--and it is a magnificent film...Congratulations Peter Jackson and the Lord of the Rings Crew!!! You did what you had visioned!!! Can't wait for the next two movies...God Bless...
Rating:
Summary: WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU NEGATIVE PEOPLE
Review: first, i would like to say that this movie has been the most amazing and enjoyable experience of my life. the second one gets even better and i can't wait for the third one to come out. thanks
Rating: 
Summary: It takes talent
Review: First, let me begin by saying, this is a truly great book, a truly greater BBC radio dramatisation (available on CD) and a total disaster of a movie. How on earth you could conclusively wreck such a world all time classic piece of literature on such a big budget is a mystery. It must be the Power of the Ring! If you had to do it, here is what you would do: Lengthen the timespan of the movie to ensure that you can include all your clever ideas. But in lots of SPFX that would make a Sony Playstation laugh in scorn. Include lots of funky atavars that don't quite move realistically. Tell all your actors to look permanently awe-struck. Remove the merest hint of sensuality from any female member of the cast, ideally remove almost all females from any scene in fact to leave more room for the atavars. Remove any attempt at philosophical context when a character dies, because that is what the book is mostly about. Given the hash made of almost anything else, it may have been a wise decision not to go there, come to think of it. Throw in some tedious melodramatc sound effects at every possible opportunity so that their artificial nature are bound to become fatiguing during this marathon. Take the completely logical ending of the trilogy , but stop a few pages short of it. And there you have it, don't worry that it is a rubbish product, trade on the superb reputation of the book. Call up your pals in the media and tell them to praise it. If people are still in doubt, they may watch a complete DVD of Hollywood luvvies telling us how clever they are to have made this act of celluloid carnage. In short, buy the book, or buy the BBC boxed CD set. This is a terrible adaptation.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing additions, and funky bookends
Review: First, the movie. AMAZING. Definitely worth the extra money to see the additional scenes back in the film. The only part I don't like is having to change discs in the middle, but this is a silly nit pick. I wouldn't have paid the extra [money] on the bookends & National Geographic DVD, but that's just me. Though I like the bookends a lot, when you see that they make up the bulk of the price difference you'll see that they're overpriced. Regardless if you LOVED the movie and you have money to spend, go right ahead and get this version.
Rating: 
Summary: Overall breathtaking vision but some minor irritations
Review: Firstly the Dvds extra disc really seems a non-event, for the ammount of useful material it could and should have been fite onto one disk, there was a lot missing, and it seems to serve the purpose of flogging the next 4 disc set and the next film, the documentary was ok, but frankly extras lite.
On first watching at the cinema i was distinctly underwhelmed and the film really didnt make much of an impression. On watching the Dvd ive got used to this translation so could relax into it a little more.
The biggest annoyance by far is merry and pippin, they have become bumbling prat fallguys, and even the music whenever they start providing sideshow relief is cringing, this is not such a good traslation to say the least.
Unlike some i found Legolas one of the better played parts, along with Sean Bean, who i was hoping when i read the original casting was going to be Aragorn, he would have been so much better, mind you Hugo Weaving as Legolas would have been a big improvement, but i welcome his prescence as Elrond, even if hes underused.
The computer effects work overall but some time a litlle unsubtle. The sets and costumes are mind blowing, and the New Zealand locations are perfect, Hobbiton hit the nail on the head for me, if only the hobbits were played with a little less twee comedy, we really dont need light relief Mr Jackson.
Rating: 
Summary: Hugely overrated
Review: Firstly, I admit that I haven't read the book(s), and my friend (who I saw it with) tells me the film adheres to the book pretty well. Personally though, my main criticism of the film (and I suppose the easiest one to make) is that it's far too long. I really think that it would of benefited from being around 30-45 minutes shorter. By the last third of the film I found it starting to drag quite a bit. It still has it's good points; the scenery (including some of the CGI kind) is spectacular, and Ian McKellen is excellent as Gandalf. However, some scenes just drag on far too long. And although Elijah Wood was okay, I can't help thinking that another actor could of put in a more charismatic performance, and seeing tears roll down his cheeks on more than just one occasion was getting unbearable. The main problem with the film though (other than it's length) is the story. I know the original source material is to blame for this, but the film jus becomes very repetitive. It soon becomes a series of fights, running, fights, running...etc. It just doesn't seem to go anywhere, there's no real end goal in sight. And to make matters worse (and an obvious consequence of adhereing to the book), the film doesn't really have a proper ending, by which point you're thinking to yourself "what was the point?".
Rating:
Summary: Great Special Effects, but story lacking...?
Review: Firstly, I'm not a Tolkien fan, never read his books, so I write this seeing Lord of The Rings and it's story for the first time. The Special Effects were great! The director used a lot of overhead sweeping landscape shots, and it greatly magnified the grandeur and scale in which the special effects were used. Go watch the movie simply to admire the camera work and special effects,... now I know for sure that Hollywood CAN make anything happen. The reason I gave it only 4 stars is because of lack of story. After the audience knows what the ring and fellowship and everything is all about, it appeared the director proceeded to use the special effects almost as a replacement for extending the story line. As a result we are treated with a barrage of action and special effects, long on time, and sort on depth. Running over 3 hours, at times, I was looking for more story line, not more action. Don't get me wrong, I think this is a landmark film, showing off powerful computer animations and effects. Lord is the kinda break through movie like the first Star Wars was, likely spawning a new generation of highly stylized special effects type movies. Now, movies truly can make anything look real!
|
