Rating: 
Summary: Wow! Wower! Wowest!
Review: If the muses of old bestowed you with a talent, you were considered lucky or very good. In the modern world, you'd be considered to be Peter Jackson. The mastermind behind "Lord of the Ring".In my opinion, Jackson is a visionary director who can rival Cameron any day. Anyone brave enough to film three of the most read books in all time, at the same time, is not only insane, but insanely brilliant. Of course it helps to have a magical cast to make the load bearable. Ian McKellen portrays his "Gandalf" with such intensity that you get goosebumps every time he opens his mouth to speak. Elijah Wood also entertains with his innocent "Frodo", giving it credibility with those blue eyes of his. But one of the greatest treasures is Viggo Mortensen, the dark & ruggedly handsome Aragorn. I last saw him in "28 Days" and with "The Fellowship" he once again amazed me with the intensity with which he acts. Of course I have read the books and I can thankfully report that they followed it as closely as I have ever experienced the act. Yes, they left a few pieces out here and there, but think: the movie is nearly 3 hours all ready. If they had included everything, we might be stuck to our seats at the end. Still, Jackson and his wife did a remarkable job of adapting the books into script and the actors do Tolkien proud. This is a definite must-see. If not, you'll never know what the whole "Hype" is about
Rating:
Summary: Considerably Superior to The Theatrical Release
Review: If the original film were a 7 out of 10 in terms of realizing the story's full potential, the extended edition is an 8.5 or 9 - a significant improvement over the original, highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Whoa
Review: If the theaterical release is any indication this DVD is going to be incredible. The dedication of the cast and crew is entirely obvious in the attention to the details of the beloved trilogy. Despite what you might hear, all of the actors had read the books before walking into their casting call except for Viggo Mortenson (Aragorn) who was convinced by his son to do the film. Thank God for young Mr. Mortenson. Viggo gives a great performance, surpassing his small roles in films like "A Perfect Murder". The only other Americans are two former child actors, Elijah Wood and Sean Astin (Yes, he is the son of the guy who played Gomez on the Addams Family TV show). Child actors usually put me off but Wood and Astin have real talent and are entirely aware of their charactors. All around, the sets are beautiful, the costumes incredible, and the props handmade with great attention to detail. This is Tolkien's world we're talking about here. I also recommend the extended DVD (as opposed to the theatrical release) to people who don't want to (shame on you) or can't (I pity you I really do) read the books. It explains somethings that I heard would be more important in the next movies. The preview of the new extended version seems to be pointing to more work with Merry and Pippin (the essential comedy in this very serious war of the ring), a little more character development of Gimili and Legolas (needed, but there's a little too much character development already), and more great pans of New Zealand's incredible landscpe. I'm telling you people this is gonna be one for the ages.
Rating:
Summary: A Miracle of Movie Making
Review: If the theatrical version of this movie was astonishing, then the Extended Edition is simply miraculous. With a brain surgeon's finesse, Jackson has added back in crucial moments of the story that illuminate and flesh out the characters and more clearly delineate the conflicts within the plot. Some additions are mere seconds long, while others are whole scenes. Every one of them is essential. Some are so simple, yet beautiful, they move one to tears; the entire "Lothlorien" sequence is now absolutely ravishing. This movie (specifically, this version) should be required viewing for anyone who works in a "fictional" mode--this is how to tell a grand story on a human scale. If the other two films maintain the same high quality evident in FOTR, Jackson will have established himself as a master filmmaker and storyteller, and will have raised the standard for moviemaking to new heights. Don't rent this one: buy it and watch it over and over again. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would!
Rating:
Summary: One Movie to Rule them All!!
Review: If there is a better movie made I haven't seen it. Simply put Peter Jackson took the "unfilmable" classic trilogy by JRR Tolkien and made it into an instant classic film. How did he do it? He was faithful and trusted the source completely. The story is already a sure thing. It isn't the highest selling work of fiction in history for nothing. Jackson was dead on aim when trying to get the look, and feel JRR Tolkien expressed in print. The Lord of the Rings is about change. Middle-Earth is in the process of change and is very vulnerable. The time of the elves is ending giving away to man. This is a very sad thing and it is one of things expressed very well. The friendship between Sam and Frodo is also done very well. They are like war buddies prepared to give up their lives for each other. Throw in some awesome special effects and good fight scenes and you have it all. If you have never read the books you can't even appreciate the small things that are so detailed in the movie. Like when a character says something word for word from the book, or when Gandalf says "Ah the Long Expected Party" which is the name of the first chapter. Things had to be taken out simply to cut it down and make it fit. This is understandable. I also like seeing things that you aren't in the story but just mentioned like Gandalf going to Minas Tirith to look up the history of the ring. Above all the feel and the emotion are there. Ive heard one issue that it was unbelievable that a few heros could take out so many enemies. Well these heros are the most powerful and best warriors on middle-earth. They are lords trained in the art of battle no mere foot soldiers or anything. Plus they are going up against Orcs which are not greatly skilled and whose true threat is numbers. If it was too long for you then I think you have attention issues. Trash it if you must because the majority speaks for itself and Ive found that even the most learned Tolkien fans love it too. Btw it is not a Hollywood picture so quit calling it a "typical hollywood film." Also it is only 1/3 of the story. I cannot wait for the Two Towers and the Return of the King. They too should be equally if not greater films than the Fellowship of the Ring.
Rating:
Summary: I saw it 4 times and it has to be the best movie ever!
Review: If there is one film that deserves the best picture oscar over all other, it's FOTR. PJ gives us everything we asked for and mor, with spectacular scenery, battles, and acting that will only be further enhanced with this DVD. It will include an extra half hour of footage, bringing it to a stunning 3.5 hours! For anyone that is into giant epics with a mix of darkness and happiness, complete with stuning visuals and a feeling of it all being real, I strongly recommend you at LEAST rent, if not buy it. This is, in my opinion, going to be superb over the August release of the plain DVD version (Theatrical). My reasons for this are : you get more footage (more important if you read the books) two bookstand sculptures, as well as a ton of extra features to a total of FOUR
DVDs!
Rating:
Summary: The Loard of the Rings; the fellowship
Review: If there was anything to complain about it was to short, the 3 hours went by much to quickly. As a reader of the books it was wonderfully done. An excellent job bring the book to the film. Would be great to have seen a version of the Hobbit done this way prior to the Trilogy being done. Will see it a few more times in the movie and for sure will own a copy! GREAT!!!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent for fans
Review: If you are a big fan of the LotR movies (and books), this is an excellent DVD. Truth be told, I've only watched the movie and looked at what the additional features are available (I have a new baby at home, so little time for DVDs). But just the additional and expanded scenes in the movie are worth it. They add depth to the characters and story which were lost on the cutting room floor in the theater edition. After seeing this movie in the theater a year and a half ago, I read the entire series -- the movie had motivated me to finish what I never did as a teenager. I was so engrossed with the books that I hardly put them down until I finished. Now that I've seen the expanded version of the movie, I have to say that it does much more credit to the first book than the earlier version. To anyone who hasn't read the books, though -- don't just watch the movies -- the books are really worth the time and effort. In fact, I think you will enjoy the movies more if you read the books. This was true of the Twin Towers for me. I think I would have found that movie a little low on plot if I hadn't been so engrossed in the big picture and characters which I understood so much better from the novels. If you like LotR, this is definitely worthwhile. I'm putting the Twin Towers on my wish list immediately.
Rating:
Summary: A MASTERPIECE!!!
Review: IF YOU ARE A FAN OF THE BOOK, YOU WILL LOVE THIS MOVIE...TRUE TO THE BOOK LIKE NO OTHER FILM I KNOW. THIS MOVIE IS DESTINED TO BECOME THE ALL TIME CLASSIC FOR YEARS TO COME...BUY THIS MOVIE!!!
Rating:
Summary: Wow! Loved this set. My favorite Christmas Present 2002!
Review: If you are a Lord of the Rings fan this set is a MUST HAVE! The extended and added scenes blend into the theatrical cut so well. The commentaries are so cool and the added appendixes will have you watching for hours. Great stuff and great inside views of the making of the movie. I have been hooked on this set for days. I hope they do a similar set for all three releases. You just must get this set!
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