Rating: 
Summary: To those reviewers who...
Review: clamor to discredit this movie, particularly this version, I must retort for the basis of your poor rating is little more than "thumb's down, for thumb's down's sake" quality. If you feel cheated because the movie's plot doesn't exactly mirror the plot and characters of the book then this is NO PLACE for your review. You may as well criticize all localizations of Tolkien's work into other languages. If you didn't know, translation into other tongues usually results in certain meanings and descriptives being completely omitted for sake of helping the reader understand the story. Does this mean that the story ....? Who are you to judge, except for the reader of that particular localized version. To say the movie was boring only lends insight into your temparate mood, and indeed you 'didn't' read the books, for so much of the story was cut down to give the movie pace and rythm.Secondly, another person commented that Conan the barbarian and Willow were a grade better than LOTR...Well LOL LOL LOL LOL...that's really funny, and guess what...those movies, and genre for that matter, would have never happened if it weren't for LOTR. As far as comparing the movies, LOTR outshines both in content, acting, directing and drama. Really....Willow better than LOTR...I'm still chuckling. The next time you want to downgrade a movie in your review, you better back up your statements with a good reason. Otherwise, people like me will counter rate your poor rating and call you on your bluff. Blahahahahahaha
Rating:
Summary: Simply Astounding
Review: I initially had reservations about seeing this film. Most current Hollywood product is overproduced, overhyped, and marginally entertaining. Besides, I was never a big Tolkien fan. So it was a pleasant surprise to discover a film that was long but never overlong, and one that was both inventive and emotionally involving from start to finish. This expanded edition not only does justice to the film, but actually provides a richer, more involving experience than the original version. The additional 30 minutes of deleted scenes expands the characters' relationships and explains some of the more obtuse Middle Earth references. In addition, the added features are plentiful and intriguing without pandering to product mongering (there's scarcely a reference to "The Two Towers"). The numerous documentaries about the making of the film are like an education in filmmaking itself, and the generous background information on the works of Tolkien is a delicious bonus. Most of all, this is a sumptuously packaged DVD that deserves to be a part of every movie lover's collection. I was simply astounded with all of the special material: dozens of documentaries, three commentaries, thousands of production stills and drawings, extended scenes incorporated into the film, and some of the handsomest packaging ever to grace a DVD release. One could literally spend a weekend discovering all of the exciting goodies within. So...got a free weekend anyone?
Rating:
Summary: A wonder to behold!
Review: I loved this movie from the first time I saw and didn't think there was anything that could be done to make it better. When I saw the extended edition, I was really impressed. It made a wonderful addition to an already fantastic movie. I loved every minute of it.
Rating:
Summary: A great films gets the 5 star deluxe DVD treatment.
Review: Whether you're a Tolkien fan or not, you cannot argue that this is one of the most hyped and ambitious films of the last decade. Aside from the new "Star Wars" and "Titanic" (both of which were horrible, in my opinion), Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" is worth every inch of the hype. Enough to make it worth buying both the theatrical and extended edition of the DVD, something I have never done before, and not likely to do again. First question: Does the extra 30 minutes really make a difference? While the length of the extra footage varies between a few seconds to a few minutes, it does add a sharper edge to the movie. Some more frightening bits were added, as well as more background stories were added and a bit more violence is noticeable. It makes the movie meatier and more satisfying in the end. In retrospect, the theatrical version seems incomplete after viewing this extended edition. Though 30 minutes doesn't seem like a lot (especially when the movie is already 3 hours long), it really makes a difference. Second question: Are all the extras good? Oh yes. While the theatrical release had some fine extras, the "Extended Edition" offers loads more. Spanning 4 DVDs, the last 2 discs are packed with extras, while the first two have a modest amouns. Most notibly, the commentaries. I always enjoy listening to commenteries, and there are 4 feature-length ones on discs 1 and 2. They're very entertaining, and cover all bases, from the technical, to the trivial, to the funny and outrageous. Aside from that, there are loads of documentaries, featurettes, interviews, storyboards, and every other imaginable detail. They really went all out for this version. Last question: Is it worth buying if you already own the original theatrical version? The Extended Edition is a totally different package, and I have not seen any duplicate extras on either version. I love the featurettes and previews on the theatrical version, so I will definitely keep it. But for the meat and potatoes, the extended edition is definitely the version to own. For anyone who loved the movie, from the casual viewer to the die-hard fan, should get the Extended Edition. This is a rare movie where the hype was well deserved, and a deluxe package is definitely worth shelling out $ for.
Rating:
Summary: DVD movie better than the original plus exceptional extras!
Review: As many other reviews have been written about The Fellowship of the Ring, this review will focus mainly on the Platinum Series Extended DVD. My only comment on the movie itself will be that while I was underwhelmed during my first viewing of the movie at the IMAX, the DVD extended version is much, much more enjoyable. If you are trying to decide whether to buy the "standard" DVD or VHS version of the movie or spend the extra money and buy the Platinum edition: Go for the Platinum. Some of the most amazing scenes in this movie are the extended and new scenes that were reintegrated into the DVD. For example: "Concerning Hobbits" is a fascinating new scene toward the beginning of the movie that is reminiscent of reading J.R.R. Tolkien's works and provides a very fitting introduction to the movie. It really sets the mood. Extended portions of "The Council of Elrond" and "Lothlorien" were absolutely breathtaking. And "Gilraen's Memorial," a new scene, was also incredible to watch. This DVD comes packed with about 7 hours worth of extras as well. I began to enjoy the movie more and more as I watched the incredible amount of work that went into pre-production and production of this film. From story-boarding to casting, from CGI to visual effects, the extras on Discs 3 and 4 of this series are absolutely riveting. I was most amazed by the extensive use of miniatures and sets in this movie. I figured a movie of this scale would have been predominately CGI, but it was not. It was fascinating to see how all of the sets and miniatures were made. Consequently, this viewer, who had a fairly unenthusiastic first response to LOTR on the big screen, is now "hooked" on the series after experiencing the Platinum series DVD. I would imagine that this DVD would be sheer ecstasy for a die-hard Tolkien fan. Since I enjoyed "The Two Towers" much more than the first installment in this series, I look forward to the Platinum series of that movie most eagerly.
Rating:
Summary: Best Movie Ever
Review: Peter Jackson has picked the best actors for this movie. They all fit there roles perfectly. The plot was awesome and true to the book and the special effects were amazing. Both of these movies (Fellowship and Two Towers) are wonderful and exciting. They bring you into the world of Middle-Earth.
Rating: 
Summary: A Visual Masterpiece
Review: I haven't read the Lord of the Rings books, so my opinion might not be as justified as others, but I speak for many people when I say Peter Jackson's interpriation of the story is fantastic. The visual aspect of this movie is absolutely stunning and I found myself in tears one or two times due to the sheer beauty of it all. The only thing I was disappointed with was some of the casting. I think the movie would have been numerous times better if they had casted someone else as Frodo, besides Elijah Wood. He seems to have the same expression on his face throughout the entire movie. Also, I think everyone is making too big of a deal about the character, Arwen. In my opinion, Liv Tyler has very minimal acting skills. I believe that the casting director just put people like Elijah Wood, Liv Tyler, and Cate Blanchette in the picture because their famous named would draw audience attention to the film. But, I really don't have anything against Cate Blanchette. She's a phenominal actress and she must have a lot of talent to play such a complex role as Galadriel. I have to say, overall, the casting was pretty good. I think Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf did a fantastic job and so did Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn. The fact that Viggo did his own stunts is very impressive. I can't really seem to find anything else to complain about. This movie is complete genuis, save a few details. The pace was a little slow, but the wonderful scenery and action-packed battle sequences made up for it. It was all so believable, not like some other fantasy stories that look so fake. New Zealand truly is Middle Earth and the art direction of everything was simply awe-inspiring. The movie must be great to captivate the mind of a 13 year old, such as myself. Especially one with quite a short attention span. To say the least, this film is a true work of art and I would reccommend it to any fantasy fan.
Rating:
Summary: Great package
Review: Of course, you know the movie is awesome, so I won't go into that. There is extra footage here, but I'd have to look at the original to find it. The documentaries included in this package make it very worthwhile. Most aspects of the movie making process are discussed. My favorite part was how they made the costumes and the masks. If you want the DVD extras, but don't necessarily want the figurines or bookshelf ends, then this is the package for you.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: Excellent movie, excellent story. I'm sick and tired of the usual Hollywood fare of doctors, cops, lawyers, and serial killers. We need more fantasy and science fiction in our lives because these are the stories that make us think and use our imaginations. We need exposure to ideas that challenge our perspectives and beliefs, and to help us build tolerances for people and ideas that are different from the norm. Having said that, I think it's important to encourage our entertainment industry to take on more such projects. I'm surprised by the previous review, obviously a fellow fantasy fan, who didn't approve of the movie. This is a hard genre to film, and The Lord of the Rings was not only a successful attempt, it's my favorite film ever. But as a fantasy fan, I would be supportive even if it fell short of my expectations. After all, what are my other options? More doctor, cop and lawyer movies.
Rating:
Summary: Definitely worth it for die-hard fans
Review: The extras on the second disc were far superior to those on the first, but they all were worth watching at least one. The commentary is hilarious at times, and even points out pieces of the movie that you've missed after seeing it 8+ plus times, as I have.
The movie itself, with the thirty minutes extra footage, is definitely worth it. If not for the Hobbit Drinking Song, sung by Merry and Pippin, then the passing of the Wood Elves, as seen by Frodo and Sam. The added scenes aided in the understanding of the movie, for those who have read the books a very long time ago, or have never read them at all, or just wish to see more, and understand where some of the mysterious objects came from that are later seen in the movie and in TTT, and gave a much needed depth, and even the ability to like him, to Boromir's character.
If you're content with the standard DVD or VHS, this is a good rent, but if you're left wanting more, then this is a good buy, especially on DVD.
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