Rating: 
Summary: Amazing film,stellar cast,insane special effects
Review: Peter Jackson....is now my god. I fall prostrate before you Mr. Jackson. That was one of the most amazing films I have ever seen. I don't think Tolkien's fantasy world could be created any more wonderfully than this film does. The computer generated scenes were of the highest calibre, and maybe a little too real. I forgot it was a movie sometimes. The casting director sure deserves a pat on the back for picking one of the most talented and appropriate casts I have ever had the privilige to see. Overall, the best film of the year, bar none. You'll leave the theater DYING to see the next film. Just amazing. That's the only word for it
Rating: 
Summary: Biggest Hollywood Bust In A Long Time
Review: They spent how much on making these 3 films? I don't want to see the other 2. It is 3 hours of my life that I will never get back. The feeling in the theater is everyone wanted to walk out but stuck around hoping for a grand ending (ala Star Wars). It didn't happen. Don't waste 3 hours of your life on this film.
Rating:
Summary: Ultimate Movie
Review: One of the greatest movies of all time. A little long (3 hours) but worth every minute and every penny. Extremely close to the book, and the scenes that were cut were filled in properly. Not 100% true to the feeling of the book, but was really well done. Special effects were unbelievable, this is the first film I've seen that another FX company is able to give ILM a run for it's money. The soundtrack is awesome.The first 45 minutes of the movie take a while to get going, but it's necessary background for the movie. On a scale of 1 to 5, I have to give this movie an 11 1/2 =>
Rating: 
Summary: some books are better left... BOOKS!!!!
Review: I haven't read LOTR, but this is an overlong, hokey, poorly structured film that meanders far past the point where cuteness and "awe" wear out their welcome. I have read Breakfast of Champions by Vonnegut, the Autobiography of Malcolm X, and a few other great books that made TERRIBLE movies... I suspect I will add this one to my list once I have read the book. For now, it will just be another mediocre movie dressed up in CGI, endless slo-mo, stupid MAtrix-style shots (when will people get over that stuff! Am I the only one who thinks it really looks cheesy?!!), and cheap looking lighting... this movie made me want to do 2 things: read the book (which I'm sure is better), and go to New Zealand (it looks lovely, though not English enough to look like MY Middle Earth--I HAVE read the HObbitt, don't you know!). With the exception of Heavenly Creatures and parts of Meet the Feebles, Peter Jackson is nothing more than a poor man's (so to speak!) Sam Raimi, which is not much, really! Yeah, Sam Raimi with a too big budget and some computer wizards on the payroll. Don't belive the hype! My prediction: word will spread that this was a boring movie and the franchise will not be the uber-blockbuster everyone wants it to be... we shall see...
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: Stunning. Perhaps the best fantasy movie ever produced. Just got back from a 9 p.m. showing. I am not going to go into a full review of the movie, I could not do it justice. See it, you will not be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: This is a book to movie done right!
Review: Tolkien would be very pleased were he around to see his masterpiece come to life on the big screen. I don't know who the director, Peter Jackson, is but he has done an incredible job of capturing the look and feel of the book. So much attention to detail from lighting to special effects to sound and music. The action sequences are refreshingly original and well interspersed throughout the movie. Casting was surprisingly well done. There was not one person that did not fit their role. This is a book to movie done right.
Rating:
Summary: Probably couldn't have been better!!
Review: What can I say about the Fellowship Of The Ring that isn't blatantly obvious in the movie? This film ROCKED!!! Sure it left out some stuff, but what can anyone expect when a 500+ page novel is turned into a movie? I just came from the movie theatre and I promise you - nothing that was terribly needed was left out. It was to be expected that a fantasy epic like this was going to have some mind-boggling special effects. But what may not have been generally expected was some really good (and sometimes great) ACTING! I was very pleasantly surprised. Ian McKellen (Gandalf) was absolutely spectacular, Ian Holm (Bilbo) was also wonderful, and even Liv Tyler (who's normally an "okay" actress at best) delivered something memorable as Arwen (elven daughter of Elrond). Elijah Wood, the rest of the hobbits, and the other characters were also very good and believable (except maybe Gimli the Dwarf, but you decide). I was even a little teary-eyed a couple of times during the flick. It was that good. It had a great blend of action, humor, and a little drama - not unlike the Star Wars films. The quality of the story itself needs no confirmation. Thanks Tolkien! The Orcs were wonderfully hideous, the Elves were totally angelic, and...well...I can go on for hours. I'm sure that you're going to see this movie regardless of anything I have to say. So, just do what you're gonna do anyway, and SEE THIS MOVIE. If you walk out of the theatre disappointed, then please get some help!
Rating:
Summary: Finally, we get to partake of the Fellowship of the Ring
Review: Given the major competition that is out there for "The Lord of the Rings," I think it is helpful to point out those who have not read the Trilogy will fare much better watching "The Fellowship of the Ring" than those who are uninitiated watching "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." In fact, this may well be one of those movies where the novices will enjoy it more than those soaked in hobbit lore and the history of the Rings. Elijah Wood is a credible Frodo, although there are almost as many shots of him looking worried about what is happening as there are close ups of the ring (I might be able to recognize the skin patterns on Wood's hand in my sleep). Ian McKellen, as would be expected, makes the most of playing Gandalf the Grey, bringing a most human dimension to the role while avoiding chewing the scenery except for those moments when the wizard unleashes the full force of his power. Cate Blanchett is a rather cold Galadriel, missing the spark that should take our breath away just looking at her. But ultimately the performances are almost incidental to the rest of what is happening in this film. While much is to be said for the stunning set designs, of which the mines of Moria stand out even above the Elven havens of Rivendell and Lothlorien, equal measure must be given to the enchanted New Zealand landscapes. The visual spectacles hinted at in the trailers are revealed in all their glory throughout the entire film. The fight sequences hold up well against the current contemporary standard, albeit without any wire work. Surprisingly with all the swordplay involved it is Legolas with his bow and arrows that stands out during every single battle. The orcs are suitable horrendous (and numerous) and the balrog certainly exceeded my expectations. But what really makes this film work is that the hobbits seem hobbit size and after the first time you see Frodo and Gandalf together you never give it a second thought. In terms of the controversies that exist, I think omitting Tom Bombadil was a wise editing move (the film is almost three hours long as it stands and there are plenty of other characters in the tale who refuse to take up the ring and the burden from Frodo), and buffing up Arwen's role does not bother me a bit. Tolkien's world is clearly male dominated, the Lady Galadriel and Eowyn being relatively minor figures in the tale despite their respective powers, and I can appreciate the idea that Arwen should be more than the elf babe who shows up and marries the King at the end. Now she will be a worthy consort who offers the hero encouragement and support along his journey. I have more second thoughts about Merry and Pippin being more so the comic relief than Sam than I would either of those. Overall, the movie is extremely faithful to Tolkien's vision: the door to Moria is just as it appears in the book, down to the proportions. The maps, the elvish runes, the lettering on the letter, are all precisely and perfectly rendered. Even more importantly, the key lines are all preserved from "I will take the Ring, though I do not know the way" to "Fly, you fool!"
Rating:
Summary: Not meant to replace our favorite book...Fantastic *movie*!
Review: There were two ways to enter the theater for this film: sulking, picky, wondering whether Peter Jackson's vision would live up to one's own; or optimistic and faithful, realizing the joy of seeing a great story properly filmed for the first time on the big screen. Over time, I began to see the wisdom of choosing the latter, and I'm very glad for it now. The film opens with eight minutes of prologue (narrated by an unseen Cate Blanchett as Galadriel) on the history of the One Ring and the reason for the title "Lord of the Rings." Seeing (and hearing) Sauron approach the high command of the Last Alliance, as well as the ensuing hand-to-hand melee, was worth my trip alone, I must say. After that, I knew I wasn't in Kansas anymore! Of course, there were additions and omissions. How could there not be? "The Fellowship of the Ring" alone would be a ten hour film without omissions, and would make less sense (and appeal less) to a Tolkien-challenged public without certain additions. So, in line with my optimistic appraisal going in, I prepared myself for such. Some were expected, such as the absence of Tom Bombadil, the expansion of Arwen's role during the film's first half, and the emphasis on Saruman and his uruk captain, Lurtz. Some were not as expected, such as Aragorn not wielding Anduril, or even Narsil (apparently for the duration of all three films), Saruman's full allegiance to Sauron directly through the Palantir (and other Isengard-related liberties), and the emphasis on racial communion augmented by Elrond's actually having summoned the Council himself. In addition, there were numerous other petty strayings from the authentic that I won't mention here, but that again ties back into my previous point about the proper attitude going in. At least you'll finally find out whether Balrogs have wings or not! My next point ties more closely into personal opinion, but I prefer Ted Nasmith's interpretation of Tolkien's characters and vistas to other artists, and it's worth noting that Peter Jackson prefers Alan Lee and John Howe, and that this preference showed: Orthanc's design, the orkish armor and weaponry, as well as thematic elements for Barad-dûr, Minas Tirith, Minas Morgul, and Rivendell all reflected a leaning toward Lee's often dark, gothic, watercolor style and Howe's more traditional tabulation of the fantastic. Nevertheless, Nasmith's "Anger of the Mountain" portraying Caradhras was pretty evident at one point, and I was gratified that it was. On the whole, the film's makeup and effects work were actually better than I expected, and I expected a lot. The relative sizes of the characters could have been a major problem, but I never found myself leaving the suspension of disbelief because of it, or anything else, for that matter. More than that, the actors filled their respective roles with true passion and authenticity, another potential hardship averted by players deeply and intuitively desirous of rendering an accurate and authentic portrayal of characters beloved by millions for decades. This desire, and the dedication which resulted therefrom, showed through with remarkable clarity and éclat. I had been concerned with some of the casting decisions early on, but those fears have been authoritatively allayed by brilliant performances. Whether a fan or aficionado of the books or not, this is one film that leaves the world a better place for having been made. Admittedly, three hours, thirteen minutes (including trailers) is quite an investment of time, not to mention money, but I believe this venture to be an adventure worth seeing. Oh, and for those who really haven't read "The Lord of the Rings" yet, do yourself a favor and make a stop at the library or bookstore on your way home from the theater, because you won't want to stop investing in quality entertainment just yet. I only wish all film adaptations had source material this good...
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!!!
Review: Well the movie has definitely lived up to the hype. Prepare yourself for a cinematic feast. A true ensemble cast, fantastic adaptation, unbelievable score, cinematography to die for, Eye candy for special effects. The list goes on and on. If it doesn't garner at least 5 oscars it will have been robbed. I am running out of superlatives. It was that good. 3 hours is a long film, but it really doesn't seem that long. The only thing missing is Tom Bombadil. For some reason, everryone cuts him out. Ah well, it is a must see at least 3 times on the big screen. And don't settle for Pan & Scan on video either!
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