Rating: 
Summary: Stunning! Rent this one, but buy the later version.
Review: Unbelievable production design!! (Repeat first sentence over again for emphasis)This 2-disc set was released to whet our appetites for the upcoming second installment, but the version to BUY is the more in-depth, feature-loaded version due out in November 2002. If you are only a casual fan, then by all means rent this film TODAY. You will be blown away by the gorgeous New Zealand scenery and the seamlessly-blended CGI effects. Director/Co-writer Peter Jackson has brought this epic piece to the screen with a fan's level of respect for the source material. Some elements had to be left behind, naturally, considering the massive scope of the saga. But his obvious respect for the source material shows in the attention to detail, character development,and the steady but unrushed pacing. Not all movie fans will want to shell out $$ for the upcoming definitive version on DVD. This version will do just fine for many of us. It is a beautifully shot film, pleasantly and earnestly acted, and the special effects serve the film well RATHER THAN BEING THE REASON FOR THE FILM (ahem, George Lucas)!! You don't have to be a dyed-in-the-wool Tolkien fan to enjoy this film and appreciate the amount of work that lovingly went into it. But you just might end up becoming one.
Rating:
Summary: Read Me! Read Me!
Review: Unbelievably, Fellowship only scratches the surface of what the book held. Fellowship is quite lengthy, for it left few of the book's scenes out (Jackson changed only a handful, as well); but there is so much more to the tale than can be seen in the movie. However, I do think the movie got across the main idea. Oh, and I think they did a great job of getting the "Black Riders" to look so EVIL! My sister was in the other room when I was once watching Fellowship and it was thus she heard the icy-cold voice. That was a spooky touch! Also, scattered throughout Fellowship are close-ups of the hideous faces of the orcs. Yuck! I'm glad I was prepared for it by having first seen photos (in books and such). I hope this warns any sensitive hearts who have not yet seen the movie (if there are any!). But the movie was not all horrible images; I loved the cozy Hobbiton. And the Hobbits all being so small compared to Gandalf! Jackson did a wonderful job there! Rivendale was not that bad either, but we don't get to stay there for long. Carefree Merry and Pip, I think, were portrayed very well. Sam, I think, was not so close a hit. In the book, there was much more evidence of Sam's affection for Frodo then in the movie. Frodo, I think (I think a lot!), was done reasonably well. Aragorn -- perfect. Boromir -- also perfect. Legolas and Gimli had rather little to do with the movie plot, so I can't say much about them. They did have more of a cut in the book, however. Gandalf was also done very well. All considered, Fellowship was a magnificent attempt at catching hold of the essence of Tolkien's book, The Fellowship of the Ring.
Rating: 
Summary: My precious!!!
Review: Undoubtedly, this film will become a classic in cinema history. It has as much rich detail and well scripted characters as the original books. The special effects are unique; they present additional scales of the settings and grandure to the action scenes. The fight scenes utilizes a jumpy handheld camera that can be dizzying to look at (I mostly speak of Balin's tomb), but are still well orchestrated and gripping. The cinematography is unique and plentiful. Slow-motion shots, wild camera angles, and extreme close ups are very abundant, and add a visually hypnotic level to the film. It's style also embellishes the story telling. One just has to look at the screen to feel the emotions of the characters, tell what their relationships are, and tell what is going on. The characters in particular shine in this film. It is actually the very thing that I've enjoyed most about this. The characters are easy to understand, and are very well developed. Their depth and complexities are strongly evident, their relationships are close and heartwarming, and they actually make you care for them. The film's steady pace, inventive style, and expert storytelling is entrancing for the whole three hours. The extra thirty minutes on this disc set add to the characters' developments (especially to Aaragorn, whose heritance to Gondor is explained in greater detail), and foreshadow the events of the future Lord of the Rings episodes (namely the scene where the elves are seen traveling to the Gray Havens, later referred to in Return of the King). Four discs for this movie is an esteemed blessing. It is a treasure in my collection, and I can't wait until the next two films are released in this way.
Rating:
Summary: Star Wars was a B-Movie.
Review: Unfortunately I have not read the LOTR books. I have read the Hobbit, however, so had some vague idea about all this before the film. And then I went to see it.
Words, also unfortunately, simply fail me when it comes to describing it. The film is faultless. The cast are perfect, headed by Elijah Wood as worried Hobbit Frodo and Ian McKellen as wise wizard Gandalf. The story's praises don't need to be sung thanks to the legendary books that based it. The music is rousing and passionate. The ending is on just the right note to enfuriate you at having to leave, and ensure that you'll return for more. And even at almost three hours, I still wanted to sit and be told more.
Peter Jackson's direction is enchanting, in one of the most picturesque epics of all time. And it is an epic - the finished trilogy will make the badly cast Star Wars prequels look like B-Movies. Yet it has so much more than visuals to offer. Everything comes together. It pulses with atmosphere, particular in the tunnel scenes when the Orcs attack... it's nail biting stuff. There isn't a moment of the movie that seems wasted.
It feels like so much more than a simple movie, so much so that you simply don't want to stop watching when it's over. No doubt Two Towers will have just as well timed an ending. The question remains, will this dauntingly perfect masterpiece topple the matrix? I'm not doubting it. Because although that's brilliant, it's basing most on looks... and LOTR could survive on cast and script alone.
It's pointless even trying to descibe the film. Just please, watch it. It is the finest movie I've ever seen. It is beyond perfect. It is beyond critisism. See it and be astounded.
Rating: 
Summary: ZZZZZZZZZZZ
Review: Unless you are a big Lord Of The Rings fan, as well as big on fairy tale sci fi flicks you are going to fall asleep with this one. After an hour I had to shut it off, aside from the fact that I had no idea what was going on in fairy tale land, the 3 hour long movie just moves at a snail pace! This is a love it or hate it flick, there's really no room in between!
Rating:
Summary: 16-year old scifi/fantasy fanatic
Review: Unless you live 100 miles from the closest settlement in the Yukon you probably have heard of this movie, or the original books, or both. I do agree with those who compare this movie with all time classics like Ben-Hur and Citizen Kane. It IS that good. Not prefect, and having read the books there were a few thing I would have done differently but in the end he did a brillant, defining piece of work here. The movie kept the SPIRIT of the books so well, unlike Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Don't get me wrong, I like Harry Potter and probably enjoy Rowling's works over Tolkien, but the movie was just amazing and awe-inspiring. Again, VERY GOOD!!! This is not the most accurate adaption of the book, but being nearly 3 hours long it does a good job for effort. If you are looking to buy the DVD I would suggest just renting the theatrical release and getting the packed, 4-disc extended version coming out in November(ign.com says it is shaping up the be the best DVD set EVER!) Rent until November that's what I'm going to do.;) Since the whole trilogy was made at the same time, the next 2 films should be just as good!(I just hope they can get Gollum to be as creepy in the movie as in my mind...) For those who haven't read the books--if you thought the first movie was epic, hang on to your socks during Return of the King!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful movie that will take your breath away!
Review: Unlike alot of the reviewers of "Fellowship of the Ring" I have not read any of the books by J. R. Tolkein. So, when I saw the movie I had an open mind about the plot and characters. However, I will most likely read the books now that I have seen the movie. PROS: ~GRAPHICS/ CINEMATOGRAPHY: The graphics and cinematography are the best I have ever seen! Usually I hate computer generated graphics due to their fake appearance. However, in "Fellowship of the Rings" there were times when I could not tell what was computer generated and what wasn't. (I only hope the ogre was a computer graphic!!!) The shots of New Zealand were incredible as well. The jagged mountains, lush foliage, and beautiful waters all combine to create a memoriable cinematographic movie. ~ACTORS/ ACTRESSES: Since I have not read any of the books I cannot write about the integrity of the characters in the movie compared to the characters from the book. With that said, the characters are wonderful. The actors and actresses portrayed the amazing personalities of the dwarfs, hobbits, wizards, etc... very well. ~PLOT: For the most part the plot kept the audience on the edge of their seats. A few parts of the movie slowed down a bit, but over all the plot was well thought out. (For detailed info see other people's reviews) ~BATTLE SCENES: Sword fights, wizardry, and devilish opponents... need I say more? CONS: ~PARTS OF THE SCRIPT: As other reviewers stated, a few parts of the script were rather cheesy. I suppose Hollywood felt as though they needed to place their standard "feel good" message in "Fellowship of the Ring". An example: "Even the small can do alot" or somthing along those lines... With this said, most of the script was acceptable. Go see the movie. Leave the kids under age 8-9 at home unless you want them crying out in the middle of the night, "Mom! An ogre is under my bed!" I look forward to the next two movies with much anticipation!
Rating:
Summary: Read this review (It's short)
Review: Unlike most "extra footage" DVDs this is a better movie than the theater! Buy it! It flows better, it feels better, it is better.
Rating:
Summary: Read this review (It's short)
Review: Unlike most "extra footage" DVDs this is a better movie that the theater! Buy it! It flows better, it feels better, it is better.
Rating: 
Summary: LORD, I NEED A WIZARD TO TAKE ME FROM THIS MOVIE..
Review: UNLIKE MOST OF THE OTHER REVIEWS, I FOUND THIS MOVIE IRRITATING..WHY? WELL WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT A RING, AND A HOBBIT...I CANT BELIEVE THE RING HAS THE POWER TO DO SO MUCH, YET NOONE CAN INVENT A PAIR OF SHOES FOR THE HOBBITS! I HATED THE WAY THE MOVIE ENDED, IT JUST KIND OF, FELL OFF, I WAS EXPECTING A BETTER ENDING. IF YOU ARE NOT A FAN OF THE TOLKIEN LITERATURE SERIES...YOU PROBABLY WONT FALL HEAD OVER HEELS FOR THIS ONE EITHER. I NEVER READ ANY OF THE BOOKS, AND AFTER SEEING THIS MOVIE, (WHICH THE KIDS WILL LOVE) I AM GLAD I DIDNT..
| 
