Rating: 
Summary: What's wrong with me?
Review: I must be one of the few people on this entire planet who was bored silly by this movie. EVERYONE loves it! This isn't a "joke" review I genuinely thought it terrible. I also genuinely hated E.T! Seen the Wizard of Oz around 50 times in my lifetime though.I love that movie! Oh well....
Rating:
Summary: Tolkien ruined
Review: I must be the only person who has seen this movie that thinks it is awful. It proves the point that not all books should be made into movies. It also proves the point that audiences today only want good photography and action, and that plot and characters are of no value. New Zealand was the star of this movie, not Tolkien.I love the LOTR and have read it 30 or more times. This movie is the barest shell of the book. Not only have the heart and soul been gutted, there is nothing left but a microscopic layer of skin. All the poetry, tension, grace, majesty, and fun are missing. The actors sleepwalk through the roles, important plot points are removed. The council meeting at which the Fellowship was formed looked like a boy scout meeting. The fear of what could come now that the ring of power had been found was not present, all the bickering and anger over who should have the ring was shortened to a two minute yelling match. Aragorn lacked presence, which he certainly didn't in the book; Merry and Pippen are not the buffons they are made out to be in this film; Sam is a conflicted soul, again not shown; the Fellowship were almost not allowed into Lothlorien because of Gimli's presence; Lothlorien was a huge disappointment; Legolas and Gimli might as well not be in the movie for all they are given to do. Save your money and buy a nice set of the books. Spend time with them and enjoy the magic that JRR Tolkien created. A magic that this piece of drival sorely lacks.
Rating: 
Summary: this is one DVD that is worth its weight
Review: I must recommend this new edition. The missing scenes fill in a lot of gaps, make the movie richer, and are inserted expertly. If you're a Tolkien reader, you should definitely get the new edition. Unlike other extended editions, the additional footage didn't slow down the movie. Not a one should have been left out, if not for time constraints. New scenes were added at the beginning of the movie, to set up the tale of the ring and the setting of the Shire, and the gifting scene in Lothlorien is returned. There are many other new moments, many very short, but all will be appreciated. One must wonder if the theatrical release of The Two Towers will take into consideration this new material, or will it have to rely on only the material from the theatrical release? For example, their cloaks, broaches, and Sam's rope were all left out of the theatrical release. Interpersonal relationships between Gimli and Legolas can be fudged, but those items couldn't be and the rope ends up being so important later on. This boxed collection is well worth it. It includes 2 CDs of additional material, and a National Geographic special. The set comes with a roadmap - very necessary. There are also 5 different commentator versions.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Adaptation!
Review: I must say I was very impressed with this movie. The imagery was astoundingly faithful to the books. I felt almost like I had seen it all before. I think it gives testament, not only to the director, but to J.R.R. Tolkien as well, for creating a literary epic with such vividness and texture. The complexity of the books was transferred astoundingly well to the screen. Although obviously simplified, very little of the feel was lost. The only criticism, which is small, is that it felt like the story was rushed, taking leaps forward instead of a steady flow. That, however is to be expected, considering the sheer literary volume of the text. I suppose that Tolkien zealots might be disappointed with the required omissions and modifications to fit it into screen time, At the other end, Tolkien remedials may not fully appreciate the scale of the story. However, for the large portion of us, who know Tolkien and his wonderful world, this movie is close to as good as it gets. A finlal word of warning to mainstream movie hounds...the movie ends very blatantly as the first book does..."to be continued".
Rating:
Summary: Middle Earth
Review: I must say that I really enjoyed the film. A lot of love was put into it. Many of the scenes it seamed were right out of my head or should I say as I envisioned them to be.
I did not read the LOTR until after I got out of High School some 30 odd years ago and in that time have read the Trilogy at least a dozen times if not more.
As much as I enjoyed the film I wonder why they did the changes to the story that they did. I understand that time is a constraint, but why did
Arwen/Liv Tyler take over the roll of the Elf Lord and Warrior Glorfindel who is prominent in the history of Middle Earth?
Was it the need of a pretty face?
And please tell me why did they completely cut out Bombadil?
A Being so powerful that the One Ring had no effect what so ever upon him. I have read where critics have said it's to long, but I say it could have been longer.
I look forward to the release of The Two Towers and the Return of the King.
And can only hope that these films will prompt people to read the Hobbit and the Lord Of The Rings.
That's where the true adventure lies. David
Rating:
Summary: Don't know about Lord of the Rings? Don't Worry!
Review: I must say, Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring was everything it promised to be and more. I have never read any of Tolkien's books and have no interest in doing so, but, unlike so many other films, I don't think you need to be a fan in order to thoroughly enjoy it. I will be the first to admit that the only reason I saw this movie was because I got it for free at Blockbuster. Yet I'm soooo glad I did and cannot wait for the others to come out. The only problem I had with this movie was that I felt that some of the people who were given top billing had too small a part in this film. I think I saw Liv Tyler and Cate Blanchett for a total of 15 minutes in this three hour film (don't worry, it goes by quickly) yet in the advertisements, you get the impression that they are a major part of the plot. Perhaps they will have expanded roles in the next two films? In any case, I think Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring should be on everyone's must see movie list this year.
Rating:
Summary: The Lord of the Rings
Review: I must say, this movie is the best movie I have ever seen in my entire life. I have read the fellowship of the ring, and the two towers. The fellowship of the Ring by Peter Jackson was the most awesome and closest you could get to the real thing, if ever there was a real thing. The preview for The Two Towers left me spellbound; I couldn't belive what I had just seen. I must say again, Peter Jackson and those other guys did a really good job on these films. I could go on and on about this topic, so I'm going to end here. (these movies rock!!)
Rating:
Summary: An already beautiful movie made even better
Review: I never bought the theatrical DVD because I was made aware of this version well in advance. 30 minutes worth of additional footage... hmm..
My review remains largely unchanged. I still feel that this movie over all is the most beautiful film ever made, and I'm eager for the sequel. The additional footage adds a lot to the story, however, making this version the definitive version of the film. The additional features are a nice touch as well. I loved the "a day in the life of a Hobbit" featurette.
The only complaint I have is that all our of these disks are single layer, they could have had a dual layer two disk set, eliminating the need to change disks half way into the movie, which in my mind is annoying, considering today's technology. Despite this minor complaint I still will take this extended edition over the theatrical release any day. I only hope that the Two Towers will contain all the footage they intend to use so I can buy that DVD right off the bat rather than having to wait for its extended edition.
Rating:
Summary: Some truly moving moments...
Review: I never cry at movies. Ever. Ask anyone who knows me. But there were two near misses and a total breakdown for me in this one. A scene between Frodo and his friend Sam just had me a'blubberin'. That is my way of saying this movie had some truly moving moments in it. What it comes down to is, yes, while the special effects are spectacular, the strength of the movie is in its relationships, and how it deals with such grand issues as trust, betrayal, loyalty, love, temptation and sacrifice. And there were some genuinely edge-of-your-seat moments when the audience breathed a sigh of relief after a series of continuous nail-biting sequences. I never read the book, but this is one of those movies that makes you want to do so after you're done watching it. Since I didn't know what happened in the book, I was always wondering which hero might be sacrificed at any time. The only thing I didn't like was the rather abrupt ending, necessitated of course by the fact that two more movies are planned, and there is a whole lot more story to tell. Just a warning, don't get up to go to the bathroom after the final scene by the river (my husband did, thinking it was a perfect lag time to go, and two minutes later the film ended. SURPRISE!) With that being said, I can't wait for the next film.
Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant Movie with many majestic shots
Review: I never had a liking for movies more than 2.5 hours long but Lord of the Rings has been a pleasant exception. Based on the first book of the legendary fantasy trilogy Lord of the Rings by Tolkien, Hollywood has brought an classic-epic to life through the consummate theatrical skills of Elijah Wood and many others, including Liv Tyler.
The story is very well paced and the producer makes explicit efforts to follow closely with the book, capturing each poignant moments, enhanting poems and inspiring wise words on the big screen.
Despite the otherwise dreadful length of the show, the viewer is captivated in the beauty of the imaginary 'lands' in the Middle Earth, and is riding through a myriad of places from subterranean halls erected by pillars as tall as skyscrapers in the world's biggest cities to The Great River that leads to the entrance of Gandall greeted by two eye widening statues reminiscent (laughably) of Hitler and Statue of Liberty (kidding).
I am a little concerned, though, about some disturbing monsters and violence involved. Not that they would diminish the enigma of the movie but I find it unsuitable for anyone below 16. Very unhealthy also to indulge in fantasy for a full 3 hour period, I feel. Besides that, I heard from a friend that the movie did, for dramatic effect and simplification purpose, did change one of the motives of a character. I minused one star also for some scenes which seem quite computerised (waterfall especially and the Bridge underground).
Overall, a recommended movie, but be sure to catch the sequels lest you are flummoxed by the ending... It's Book 1 of 3 anyway. Did anyone say he has 9 hours to spare for movies? (Fellowship of the Rings/Book 1 is 3 hours long on screen, so far)
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