Rating: 
Summary: Full-Screen is a waste of your time.
Review: I won't review the film. That's been done enough. What I will say is that you should not even THINK of watching this film in fullscreen. The scope is so great, the cinematography so wonderful, that you are being cheated by fullscreen. It's time to grow up, understand that fullscreen CUTS OFF half of the movie and that WIDESCREEN is the only way to see everything, and get over the "black bars". Seriously- If you watch this movie in fullscreen, you're a complete fool, and you should have your movie-watching rights taken away. The only excuse for watching fullscreen is if your television is 13" or smaller. Otherwise, grow up and join us in the world of widescreen where things are better, and the WHOLE movie is on your screen, rather than half of it.
Rating: 
Summary: Awesome Book, Awesome Movie?
Review: I've read the books multiple times and only recently truly understood them (I read them first when I was 10). The book is a masterpiece and an possibly among the best ever written. Soon afterwards, the Fellowship of the Ring was released in theaters. On the big screen it is stunning in visual affects and computer graphics. The parts where the camera zooms through the tower was fantastic. The movie is filled with all kinds of battles, all well coreographed. I suppose it was a bit weird to have Saruman and Gandalf fighting in the tower of Isengard especially because the account of this occured in Rivendell, but it fit quite nicely with the story. If you've read the books then you probably will not enjoy the movie as much because all the scenes are how the director and the people working on the movie interpreted those scenes and not how the reader would. The movie definetly would have been better if they kept all the details. Sure it would have been very long but why not? The whole Old Forest chapter was left out and the following chapter with the Barrow-Downs. Besides these small details this movie is the best.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Movie, Bad DVD
Review: I love the movie, but I'm annoyed by the DVD. There isn't a single extra scene; however, there is a "special feature" that only serves to inform you about how cool the Special Edition DVD (same movie, mind you) will be. So, what, I bought the chump-edition? I have to unload this one once the next one comes out because the extra footage is precisely what I wanted to see, not the SciFi Channel and FOX "making of LOTR" exposees. The "special features" on this version are nothing more than TV spots, trailers, and other mediocrities that tell you how cool the other DVD you'll have to buy is going to be.Unless you're dying to see the incredibly cool opening battle, Moria, the Balrog, the majestic scenery and meticulous attention to detail that puts this amazing movie securely among the top films ever made, take my advice: WAIT FOR THE SPECIAL EDITION!
Rating:
Summary: Someone needs to be smacked!
Review: Would you add solid lines to a Jackson Pollock? Would you add a movement to Beethoven's Ninth? How about putting a block of lard into your grandmother's special spaghetti sauce? Of course not! The Lord of the Rings, Fellowship of the Ring has been stomped all over by the movie's maker. When I rented this movie, I fully expected that a few items in the 'back story' might be simplified because of time. I never expected that the screenwriter would leave out entire characters and storylines, fail entirely to develop characterization for the main characters, neglect fully some of the most important aspects of the story, and make things up out of whole cloth! It's unthinkable, unconscionable! To name just a few of the problems with this movie:
-Tom Bombadil is left out entirely, along with the entire storyline surrounding him
-Frodo looks like he is 15, instead of the 50
-Saruman is made to seem as if he has gone over to the dark side entirely and is taking orders directly from Sauron
-The palantir is brought out in an entirely false manner
-Instead of Frodo sneaking off (with Sam) at the end, Aragorn gives his blessing for Frodo to go
-the story behaves as if Aragorn has neglected his throne, rather than is waiting for the appropriate time to take it
-While Boromir does go crazy for the ring as in the story, the movie fully fails to develop why he wants the ring(because of his people failing in Gondor)
-The movie also fails to develop that Boromir's father is the head of Gondor, holding the place that Aragorn should take as king,
-The movie fails to develop what species is what and where/when they have come from and why they matter
-Cate Blanchett has no business playing Galadriel
-The Hobbits keep changing sizes
-At the end of the movie Sam doesn't swing back to the coastline and intercept Frodo (as he does in the book), instead they make up that Sam goes out in the water after Frodo and nearly drowns, necessitating Frodo pulling him out of the water
-So,so,so many things are made up out of whole cloth Perhaps the film maker thought that he was allowed to butcher this classic because he had the technology to make an attractive movie and great effects. He didn't. This movie is a wholly wasted opportunity to create a masterpiece of the movie. I am glad that I rented it, and didn't buy it as I almost did. I do not want anymore of my money going to support this shameful project. I wouldn't even give it one star.
Rating:
Summary: Where are the critics?
Review: There are few critics for this film and so as it should be, and I find it difficult to add any more praise for the finished project than has already been penned. I read Tolkiens trilogy in high school and again in 2000 before I was aware that it was being brought to life. I've always loved the story and with all of it fresh in my mind, I have to admit, I was a bit worried about how well the film would be done. I'm a stickler for lousy casting when I've read the book prior to it being released on film. So, I heard about the "Lord of the Rings" Web site and decided to check it out. The first place I headed for was the casting information and was actually amazed, and pleased, at how well they chose the individuals who would portray these almost historic characters. Then, of course like all the other fans, waited in anticipation for it to open in theaters. Too awesome, though I did pick up on a few little details they left out, mostly narrative (some of which is added on the extended version that will be release in November) but overall I would venture to say that this will be one of the top classic films ever made. My only hope is that Peter Jackson, and maybe he already has, would consider the "Hobbit" as his next project . . . while Ian McKellen and Ian Holm are still available. That would finish-off the collection quite nicely. Middle-Earth is a world much like our own . . . countries torn by war, brave inhabitants steadfast in their beliefs, the search for inner healing through love and fellowship and evil at times that lurks in the dark places waiting to devour those in its path, until . . . Joy in the journey and . . . Fair the well men of Gondor!
Rating:
Summary: An awesome movie, but...
Review: Critics everywhere have heralded Jackson's Lord of the Rings: the Fellowship of the Ring as a visual masterpiece. And truly, it is. The sets are wonderfully done, every detail is there. The movie stays very true to the book, except for a few understandable omissions (the Old Forest and Tom Bombadil) and Arwen's role is considerably more important. The actors fit perfectly in their characters. I cannot help but quote Orlando Bloom who said he always believed elves "moved like alert cats". So why is there a but? Let me just say that, aside from the movie, the extra material in this DVD fall short of my expectations. I wonder why the New Line company had to make three different DVD versions of this film, when two could have sufficed. All in all, I believe that the edited scenes are cruelly absent in this version, and that I regret not waiting for the special edition DVD. If you're still hesitating on which DVD to buy, be more patient than I was and wait til November.
Rating:
Summary: Flawed but still excellent
Review: After seeing this film in the theatre, I was ambivilent. I liked the set design and cinematography, but I thought there were a few too many walking from here-to-there scenes and it needed a few less battles and more character interaction. I thought Jackson's direction was uneven and the battle scenes were muddled and confusing. After watching it for the second time (this time on DVD), I still feel some of those criticisms are valid, but somehow I enjoyed it much more this time. In the theatre I found it too long, but now I think it's not too long at all (and I can't wait to see the deleted scenes in the extended version). The detailed imagery, sets, and costumes in every scene are beautiful and epic. I believe in my heart that this cave troll would kick the arse of the one in Harry Potter too. The acting is very good all-around, but I thought Sean Bean was a standout as Boromir, and Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Sam, and Bilbo were very convincing. A lot of people were upset about the expanded role of Arwen (and about Liv Tyler playing her), but I think it was a great choice. She looks and sounds appropriately beautiful and elven, and I thought having a little romance didn't hurt the story at all (it's a 3-hour movie and she's only in it for 10 minutes). Cate Blanchett as Gladriel actually bothered me more. I like her as an actress, and she looks the part, but I thought her tone was off. She just didn't seem true to what was in the book. The over-the-top "dark queen", Exorcist-demon-voice hallucination really took me out of the story. I blame Jackson for this, though, as I think she could have played it right, but he allowed and/or encouraged her to do it this way and he okayed the unnecessary special effects used for the scene. Technically, this is a very good DVD overall, but it's not great. The transfer is excellent -- saturated, contrasty, and sharp. The audio is ok, but for some reason the dialogue seems to go weak in some scenes when listened to on a two-speaker system (this is the case with both the 5.1 and Dolby Stereo tracks). Listen to the scene with Elrond and Bilbo and you'll see what I mean. The extras are not bad, though a lot of the material is overlapping, and a full-length director and actor commentary is sadly missing. Personally, I'm waiting for the extended version to purchase, and I recommend you do too if you are a fan. Just rent this one for now. Maybe this is one of those movies that gets better with repeated viewings. It seems so to me. I've read the books mnay times, and after letting this movie sink in a while, I'm not only not disappointed, but very happy with the outcome. It's not perfect, but it's an excellent start and I can't wait now to see what's in store for us in the next two films. It was no small task to pull this off, with all the expectations and previous failed attempts. I thank Mr. Jackson and the studio for first even attempting it, and second, producing a result that for the first time is worthy of its literary heritage.
Rating:
Summary: One film to rule them all
Review: This movie is one of the best examples of modern filmmaking. It has all of the elements that a modern classic should have: good material, a plot-driven script, larger-than-life (or should it be the opposite in the case of the hobbits) characters, and fantastic imagery. In short, epic filmmaking at its finest. Unlike other genre films, "Lord of the Rings" transcends cultural barriers. It doesn't matter whether you're a Tolkien fan or not; it doesn't matter whether you've read the books or not (although you wouldn't be disappointed if you did). You will end up getting involved in the quest to destroy the One Ring, you will learn to dread the Ringwraiths, you will want to see Aragorn defeat the Uruk-hai, you will feel concerned for Gandalf when he battles the Balrog. Tolkien die-hards will probably harp about the deletion of certain characters (Tom Bombadil, for example) and certain scenes and the expansion of Arwen's role. But, overall, there is no significant alteration from Tolkien's work. In any case, Tolkien's style and his penchance for long-winded descriptions, complex linguistic riddles, and genealogies would not have translated well onto celluloid. Having said that, almost everything about the movie is perfect, from the choice of New Zealand as the setting, to the cast selection, to the music. Middle Earth couldn't have been brought to life better than Peter Jackson and company have done. I believe Tolkien would have been proud to see his creation brought to the screen with such passion.
Rating:
Summary: A truly great fantasy epic!
Review: When a movie like this manages to be as succesful as it is (criticaly and financially), it may appear that something's not right. They would be right about that. A fantasy film this good shouldn't be successful, but thank goodness it is. Unlike some of its predecessors (and the animated versions of the saga), "The Fellowship of the Ring" doesn't get bogged down in mythology so much that it detracts from the main plot of the story. As a young Hobbit named Frodo (Elijah Wood) comes into possession of a mysterious and sinister ring, he is forced to leave his home in order to kee this ring from ending up in the hands of the ring's maker, the lord of evil, Sauron. As he reluctantly embarks on this quest, he is helped by a small band of warriors (and fellow Hobbits) to see that tis task is accomplished. But as they all soon discover, fighting the evil forces that seek the ring is not the only problem they face... It's hard to point out a fault with this film. Everything in this film (from the casting to the production to the stunning score by Howard Shore), is next to pitch-perfect. The only real complaint is that the film ends with a open-ending. But since there's two more films to go in the trilogy (and coming soon enough), it's a very minor complaint. "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" was definitely one of my favorite films last year, and from the way it looks, one of my favorite films this year. Very highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: great rendition, though I'd hold off for the special edition
Review: Peter Jackson took a great risk making The Lord of the Rings trilogy. There is such a cult following to Tolkien's original work, that it is a great risk for any filmmaker to make. Especially after the Dungeons & Dragons flop made shortly before this film. The risk was so great, that I didn't even go see it in the theater. Especially when I heard that Elijah Wood and Liv Tyler had major roles in it. But I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. Not only is this a good movie, but it is one of the best movies I've seen in the Fantasy/Adventure genre. Jackson is loyal to Tolkien's vision (I do admit, it has been a while since I've read Tolkien, but I think I remember correctly), and the production design and costumes are phenomenal. The attention to detail is amazing. Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, and Dominic Monaghan are hobbits personified (as is Peter Jackson). Elijah Wood hasn't done that great of a job in the past, but I can't think of anyone who could be a better Frodo. Viggo Mortensen plays his role physical and dark, but still heroic. Wonderful job. And Sir Ian McKellan, well, I don't think I have to go into how great of an actor he is. These performances were excellent, the art direction is superb (they brought in two major illustrator's of Tolkien's books as consultants), and of course the story comes from one of the greatest. You don't even notice that almost three hours has passed. Most of the featurettes cover some piece of information contained in another featurette, but they still add to the experience of the movie. The Houghton-Mifflin featurette covers a lot of what went into publishing Tolkien's books. The Sci-Fi channel special is the definite best of the three featurettes. Then there are the lordoftherings.net Featurettes, which are 15 2-5 minute featurettes which cover everything from the actors to the music to the locations. They compliment the other featurettes very well, giving even more inside information on the film. There are also previews of The Fellowship of the Rings Special Edition DVD, The Two Towers film, and The Two Towers video game. It's a great movie, but I don't know if I'd buy this edition. There is a special edition coming out soon that has around 30 minutes of additional footage and many more extras, including commentaries. I think I personally will wait until all three movies have been released, and in their special edition packaging, because who knows what kind of great box set/packing extras, and so forth will be there once the trilogy is completed.
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