Rating: 
Summary: Actually it's 4 and a half but I erred on the generous side
Review: I actually liked the theatrical version, and even after I've read the book, still liked the first DVD when it came out. I don't agree with every addition and alteration the filmmakers made, and I still would have loved to see Tom Bombadil, but overall, this extended/platinum version answers most of the questions we asked.I especially liked the part where Galadriel gives the fellowship members gifts. Just the one I thought was sorely lacking in the original version. And Celeborn plays a larger role, like he did in the book, setting Aragorn on the right path in a subtle way only Tolkien elves could. If I have a gripe it's that when it came to the gift for Sam, the filmmakers deemed the rope more important than the box of Lothlorien soil. Now that I've seen Two Towers in the theaters, I can see that even the rope wasn't put to much use in the sequel. Certainly not as important as the part it played in the movie. The transformation of Gimli and his moments with Legolas in the Extended version were wonderful too, but again, this poses consistency problems with the sequel, where he is back to his funny but irritable self again. Mind you, this is not a criticism of the Extended version, it's just that because Peter Jackson had already finalized all three films, and since this Extended version came after, it just doesn't mesh that well with the sequel that is being shown in theaters. And the battle scenes that most critics panned became even longer. But then, this is way better, IMO. It looks better too. The Shire is gorgeous. How do I book flights there?
Rating: 
Summary: Read the book (this film gets zero stars)
Review: I actually saw this one in the theater when it first came out. About 45 minutes into this 3 hour thing, my friend leans over and whispers "Something had better happen really quick, I getting really bored." Funny funny, this movie can't keep the interest of college professor with a 170 IQ. So much for the visual stimulation...it wasn't even intellectually captivating (but the book was...go figure). Anyways, I was able to make a grand total of 7 trips to the bathroom, and upon return, I found I missed nothing. This film, like the first one, just creeps along, so much so, that I too, lost interested, and didn't really care one way or another and hopelessly waited for an external armegeddon to ameliorate the existence of the characters in this film.
Rating:
Summary: The best extras on DVD ever!
Review: I actually watched every minute of every disc and I can't wait to do it again. Wonderful packaging too.
Rating: 
Summary: Extended only - Can't watch the theatrical release
Review: I agree with all other reviewers about the quality of production for the extended edition of The Fellowship of the Ring. However, be aware that the extended and new scenes are integrated into the movie. There is no way to watch the original theatrical release. You may ask, "why would I want to do that? I want to see the extended scenes." True, and this is why I waited to purchase this version. However, I assumed that DVD technology would allow me to view EITHER version - with or without the new scenes. This enables showing the movie to first-timers who would better tolerate a 3 hour movie over 3.5 hour one.
Rating:
Summary: Impressive
Review: I agree with most of the reviews that this picture is probably one of the best in a long time. As dedicated a Star Wars fan I am, I must say this film outdoes Star Wars (at least since the first one in '77, but that's another story). The only single fault I have is in the Hobbit Pippin's character portrayed as a dimwitted trouble maker who fell into the adventure. In fact, all the Hobbits bravely accepted the fate of the journey. Other than that, the character development is incredible and the special effects are fantastic and not overdone. Additionally, I think the director did an outstanding job of compressing the movie. Sure Tom Bombadil added to the story line, but his character is not, by any stretch, necessary to the story. Also, showing us scenes that are merely eluded to or infered in the book made the movie incredibly intense and gave me greater empathy for the characters (eg; the Orc fight at the end). Tolkien, in the book, pulls off the "Hitchcock" flare of suspense by inferences to what we assume is happening elswhere, but the by adding it to the movie, the director keeps us involved. Per the book, I was expecting a fairly entertaining story from the movie. What I got was an adventure leaving me wanting more. If the director can make such an intense movie from the material of the first "book," then I can't wait to see the rest where the action is constant.
Rating:
Summary: This movie rocks
Review: I almost didn't watch this movie cause my mother took my 13 yo to the theater, said it was very very violent. Not in my opinion. Very well done movie. Can't wait to see the Two Towers!!
Rating:
Summary: Anticipating with cautious optimism
Review: I also saw the 3rd trailer for LOTR at a screening of "Harry Potter". The reaction was interesting - as you can imagine, the theater was full of young children who were making a typical amount of childish noise as the previews ran. But after the LOTR preview finished, there was dead silence. Obviously, "The Lord of the Rings" is going to be much darker and scary than "Harry Potter". It's not going to be a film for young children. I remain cautiously optomistic as I have followed the news about the filming of the LOTR trilogy. Based on the trailer footage and interviews with the cast and directors, they appear to have done an excellent job of casting, cinemetography, costuming, music and effects. It looks real. Now the only question remaining is the screenplay and dialogue, bearing in mind that the excreble "Dune" by David Lynch looked great in the previews, too. But the fact that they're taking three LONG films to tell the story raises my hopes. I'm looking forward to this first one very much.
Rating:
Summary: Finally, a movie that compares to the book
Review: I always hate it when a movie is made from a book, and it turns out disappointing to fans. This one definitely does not. Peter Jackson kept the vision of the author alive, not scaling anything down to make things easier for himself. In fact, certain aspects of the movie were actually better than the book. For example, characters such as Legolas (whos part in the books is not really that large, but who I've always been fasinated by) have a lot of screen time and as a result are much better developed. BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT! It is worth every penny.
Rating:
Summary: Peter Jackson does it again
Review: I always look forward to a Peter Jackson movie, ever since I discovered Bad Taste back in high school. A movie that didn't even have a female actress, but had me rolling on the floor laughing. Since then, i've rushed to every one of his films: Meet the Feebles, Dead Alive, the Frighteners, Heavenly Creatures... I can't usually say the same for Lord of the Ring movies. I tried so hard to like those animated ones, but the Lord of the Rings one especially, with a choppy story and the ever-changing animation styles, only made me disappointed. So, hearing that Peter Jackson was directing LoTR, I gave a woop of joy. One of my fav directors doing one of my fav book series! And I was not disappointed. In fact, I wonder if he's been taking lessons from Terry Gillian. The movies is pretty to watch, and despite the effects needed in a picture of this sort, they do not overpower or attempt to compensate for anything else. In fact, they looked natural. The acting is good, the dialog was well done, the directing, the cinematography, the score... the movie has a good stable balance of everything. the only complaint is that it moves fast at some points, but that was only a *small* editing point. So there you go. My recommendation is: SEE IT!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: this DVD rocks!!
Review: i alwaysloved the fellowship of the ring, but was disappointed when they cut out parts of the book. in this extended version, almost EVERYTHING is included. the extended scenes alone are awesome, but it's even better to get some totally new scenes! i also LOVED the extended material. there are 2 discs of special features and i watched it all... TWICE!! and there is stuff in these special features that my friends don't know, so it's fun to spring my LOTR knowledge on them every once in a while. there are not enough words to describe how awesome this dvd is, but i definitely recommend it... espceially if you are in to the lord of the rings. trust me, you will not regret it!
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