Rating: 
Summary: An astonishing masterpiece.
Review: Considered both as fantasy adventure and as an adaptation of a beloved literary classic, Peter Jackson's film of "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" sets new standards for cinematic excellence. Everything about this film feels exactly right, from the casting to the screenplay to the special effects. The last are amazing, putting to shame anything George Lucas has come up with, and yet they always serve to advance the story; unlike Lucas, there's never any hint that Jackson is merely playing with his toys. Jackson shows great respect for Tolkien's text, but not slavish devotion. Certain characters--such as the lovable Tom Bombadil and Frodo's poisonous Aunt Lobelia--are missing, and Tolkien would be chagrined to find that the little poems and songs he loved to write are nowhere quoted. But if Jackson gives short shrift to Tolkien's whimsy, he more than makes up for that by giving us Tolkien's intensity, pathos and moral vision absolutely undiluted. Above all, Jackson never forgets that Tolkien's chief emphasis was always on the characters he created. Jackson casts wonderful actors to play those characters and--again unlike Lucas--he actually allows them to give performances. How wonderful to find the great Sir Ian McKellen, a uniquely commanding and charismatic actor, as Gandalf, or the charming and touching Elijah Wood as Frodo. You can go straight down the list--Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn, Sean Astin as Sam, Ian Holm as Bilbo, Cate Blanchett as Galadriel--and find nothing but perfection. This is one of the very few big-budget blockbusters that unqualifiedly deserves its success, and all we can do now is look forward with excitement to the release of "The Two Towers" in 2002 and "The Return of the King" in 2003. Like the books they came from, these three fillms will be cherished by future generations.
Rating:
Summary: A triumph for Tolkein geeks (and the rest of us too)
Review: Friends of mine mock me because I've seen this five times. It's okay, they don't even know I've read book the twice that many.Like other geeks I had high expectations for this movie and I wasn't disappointed. First, it's well-written. The writers keep Tolkein's epic language and manage to make it accessible. Good mix of comedy, drama, tragedy. Second, it's beautiful in every detail, best art direction and cinematography since Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Third, it's HUGE. There's a lot happening and usually two different parts of the plot are being developed at once. The action scenes always relate to the meaning of the story so there's stuff to think about while you watch one hair-raising set piece after another. Fourth, unlike the recent Star Wars disaster, it's a movie where the actors actually ACT. Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen give the best performances and keep the movie grounded in a spiritual struggle, even when the FX threaten to take over the movie. Other characters are less well-developed but the stage is set for their development in the second & third films. Anyway, even the more shallow characters here compare favorably with the original Star Wars flicks. Bottom line: a triumph for fantasy geeks everywhere, not to mention a movie that will make the rest of you wonder why you thought Gladiator was all that.
Rating:
Summary: Just as good as the books.
Review: "One Ring to rule them All;" not to mention the world and the box office. The first installment of the epic "Lord of the Rings" trilogy does not fail to please and it even throws in something extra. Now, the first thing that you notice is the sets: wow. The year it took to set them all up in pre-production paid off. You have never seen locations like the Mount Doom, Hobbiton, Rivendell, Moria, Lothlorien or Argonath. Next, the cast shines through with heartfelt, moving performances. The actors include Ian MacKellan (Gandalf), Christopher Lee (Saruman), Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn), Elijah Wood (Frodo) Sean Bean (Boromir) and Sean Astin (Sam). The plot is fairly simple: Frodo is a hobbit who inherits a powerful Ring made thousands of years ago by the dark lord Sauron, and if Sauron gets it back, he will rule Middle-Earth. Frodo, with the help of his companions Merry, Pippin, Sam, Gandalf, and Aragorn to name a few, go on a perilous flight to Sauron's stronghold in Mordor where the Ring can be destroyed. But all the while, Saruman is plotting to take the Ring for himself. Director Peter Jackson, along with thousands of extras, production assistants, designers, writers and actors have brought the "Lord of the Rings" in all its splendor, emotion and granduer to the screen. This movie has set a new bar for fantasy movies, but will probably be reset by the next two movies. I highly recommend this movie to anyone. Lovers of Tolkein books or not.
Rating:
Summary: An astonishing masterpiece.
Review: Considered both as fantasy adventure and as an adaptation of a beloved literary classic, Peter Jackson's film of "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" sets new standards for cinematic excellence. Everything about this film feels exactly right, from the casting to the screenplay to the special effects. The last are amazing, putting to shame anything George Lucas has come up with, and yet they always serve to advance the story; unlike Lucas, there's never any hint that Jackson is merely playing with his toys. Jackson shows great respect for Tolkien's text, but not slavish devotion. Certain characters--such as the lovable Tom Bombadil and Frodo's poisonous Aunt Lobelia--are missing, and Tolkien would be chagrined to find that the little poems and songs he loved to write are nowhere quoted. But if Jackson gives short shrift to Tolkien's whimsy, he more than makes up for that by giving us Tolkien's intensity, pathos and moral vision absolutely undiluted. Above all, Jackson never forgets that Tolkien's chief emphasis was always on the characters he created. Jackson casts wonderful actors to play those characters and--again unlike Lucas--he actually allows them to give performances. How wonderful to find the great Sir Ian McKellen, a uniquely commanding and charismatic actor, as Gandalf, or the charming and touching Elijah Wood as Frodo. You can go straight down the list--Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn, Sean Astin as Sam, Ian Holm as Bilbo, Cate Blanchett as Galadriel--and find nothing but perfection. This is one of the very few big-budget blockbusters that unqualifiedly deserves its success, and all we can do now is look forward with excitement to the release of "The Two Towers" in 2002 and "The Return of the King" in 2003. Like the books they came from, these three fillms will be cherished by future generations.
Rating:
Summary: My 3rd favorite movie!
Review: This movie is great! The acting, story, characters, special effects, everything! I highly recommend this movie to anyone! Watch it! I know you will love it!
Rating:
Summary: A great start
Review: It started off a little slow, but quickly picked and now I can't wait to see the rest of it. The extended edition answers a lot of questions that were left in the theatrical version. Can't wait to get the other two movies.
Rating:
Summary: Forever to be a CLASSIC
Review: Ok, the Lord of the Rings-the Fellowship is one of the few movies translated from a classic book to to the screen that I found really good. This movie is simply AWESOME!!! It captures not all, but many of the various messages and symbolism in the books, and manages to add a couple hot guys in there too!! It's just like the best movie in the world!!! If you haven't seen it...I pity your soul. Anyways, one of Julie's famous prophecies--the Lord of the Rings movies will become one of the classic movies for the next 700 years.
Rating: 
Summary: Not even close to the books, but very enjoyable
Review: The world of J.R.R. Tolkien: anything you could possibly wish for is inside it. Romance, action, comedy, tragedy, discussion, ethics- the list goes on.
This movie captures that. It captures the depth. It makes you want to know more. It definately makes you feel, and brings many of us to tears.
However, being an avid Tolkien fan- okay, beyond avid- obsessive Tolkien fan, how could I not want more? Yes, yes, I would have rate the theatrical version 3 stars, so the extended and new scenes do help tremendouly, yet some of the feeling is still missing. None of the characters are as noble as they are in the books. Peter Jackson seems to think you must make a character all evil to be corrupted, or all twisted to be a little off, or almost a god to be simply a good guy, or a complete clown to be funny at times.
So, to conclude, I was pleased with the epic feel to this movie, yet dissapointed with the missing details. I know what I am looking for is impossible to do, yet how could one not be?
Rating:
Summary: One movie to begin them all
Review: This movie is absolutely incredible! This is movie making to the utmost brilliance through every aspect. Briefly, "The Fellowship of the Ring" is the first chapter of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. It follows the charming hobbit, Frodo Baggins setting out on an immence quest - to destroy the Ruling One Ring which has fallen under his keep. He sets out on the journey accompanied by 8 companions - the Fellowship including the wizard Gandalf the men Aragorn and Borimir, the lovable hobbits Sam, Merry and Pippin and the comical duo Gimli the dwarf and Legolas the elf. Together they are dedicated to guiding the tiny Ring-Bearer along the trecherous road to the Cracks of Doom, the one place where the Ring may be unmade. However the Ring soon begins to take its toll on the Company and Frodo is soon left with a heart aching decision... This film has been achieved through a great passion for the metaphorical pages of the story's legendary creator, JRR Tolkein. True, movies can never trully capture the brilliance that books already have, but it's time like these you must look beyond the books and simply marvle the movie's own uniqueness. The acting of the film is executed to perfection. the cast include Elijah Wood, Sir Ian McKellen, Sean Astin and Viggo Mortenson and more wonderful actors. All portray their character's emotions to brilliance, beautifully resembling Tolkein's timeless characters. The special effects are trully amazing. the lengths Peter Jackson and his team have sprinted to make the film as life like and as real as possible are phenomenal and the visual effects are just that. Even when I squirm to find computer images I simply cannot see where the special effects flaw. It is true that a movie's visual art can make or break a film's success, simply because viewers innocently want to feel part of the story. I think in "The Fellowship" you feel totally ungulfed in the world of Middle Earth. New Zealand trully delivers the beauty and essence of the environment, of which Tolkein describes in the trilogy with such passion! I LOVE musical scores of movies, and I don't have to establish that the music of Lord of the Rings has defiantely become a world-wide musical icon! But aside from its famous theme, the music is beautiful, emotional and original and utterly relates to the story in every perspective. "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" is a wonderful film about courage, faith and the bonds of friendship. I advise those who have not see any of the films, to see this one first, as it will make watching the others much easier. The One that began them all, winner of 4 oscars, this film is the perfect opening to the greatest masterpiece EVER brought to the screen.
Rating:
Summary: Spectacular beginning to Spectacular Trilogy!
Review: WOW! Even Tolkien might be proud. This incredible film perfectly kicks off the greatest film trilogy of all time (sorry Star Wars, I still love you). Impeccable casting, directing, writing, music...Everything. A must-see in every sense of the word! Extended Edition did the impossible-improved upon an already perfect movie! Don't miss this amazing cinema or its sequels.
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