Home :: DVD :: Animation :: Anime & Manga  

Anime & Manga

Comedy
Computer Animation
General
International
Kids & Family
Science Fiction
Stop-Motion & Clay Animation
J.R.R. Tolkien Animated Films Set (The Hobbit/The Lord of the Rings/The Return of the King)

J.R.R. Tolkien Animated Films Set (The Hobbit/The Lord of the Rings/The Return of the King)

List Price: $38.92
Your Price: $31.14
Product Info Reviews

<< 1 2 3 4 5 >>

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Shall never rank up there with Peter Jackson's versions...
Review: As many have said before, The Hobbit has to be the best one out of all three. The animation is beautiful, the voice casting for the characters is well done, and they tend to keep to the story very well in this version. Gollum however (keep in mind was /once/ a hobbit himself) is not that impressive as he looks very reptile like, but his voice is a perfect match. The elves (all except, Elrond) are not beautiful at all, at least not what Tolkien would have probably pictured them as. All and all, it deserves a 4 and is a wonderful children's film.
The Lord of the Rings... Puh, trying to jam two books into one movie, and not even finish it off with the third spells disaster. Skipping over certain details in the books, and the animation and character designs are horrible. This is definetly worst of the collection.
The Return of the King is barely even better than Lord of the Rings. The film mainly focuses upon the hobbits, Frodo and Sam's journey to Mount Doom and Merry and Pippin in Gondor. Once again, the film makers left so much out trying to make this film "children friendly". There is no sight of Legolas or Gimli (two key characters in the trilogy), and Aragorn is given a few minutes to spare near the end. With the lack of important characters, major events in the book suddenly dissapearing and being left out, and the story focusing mainly upon the hobbits, I'd rate this one a 2.

Lord of the Rings wasn't made for animation, simple as that. The Hobbit was meant to have been a children's book so I say out all three, your best buy is The Hobbit.

If you want a good version of this trilogy, one that isn't as "kid friendly", all of the main characters from the books, and sticks to the plot for the most part, then I would say go for Peter Jackson's brilliant versions of this classic trilogy.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: amazing
Review: These three movies were great to watch after reading all of the books. They have great voices. The movie is good for all ages. They make you think twice about how you thought all of the characters looked in you head. They are full of action comedy and non stop wondering.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I have not yet got my movies but cant wait!!
Review: I beleive this man has sold these dvd's for a wonderful price. Also I am just finishing the book The Hobbit and was so happy to hear there is a cartoon. And better yet the cartoons for the box office hit Lord Of The Rings in one buy how GREAT!!!!!!!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Look Closer before you buy! Not 2001-02 Versions.
Review: This is the animated set from the 1970's which I still own on VHS. tTe Rings Trilogy was published originally in the 1950's and that there was a predecessor called "The Hobbit", all of which can be found in many formats in the book section of Amazon. For collectors I do suggest checking out the animated series, I do admit it is a little hard on the eyes and hasn't aged well. But I remember seeing the "return of the king" on Sunday afternoon when I was really young (Seven I think). That was what tuned me in to reading the books when I was slightly older. Out of the set the best to watch would most likely be the Hobbit since I doubt Peter Jackson goes back to film that one, although I'd love to see what he would do with Thorin and the Crew.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: wow!
Review: Hey this is great i didn't know Amazon.com has all 3 movies available. how did Amazon.com get these movies the 2nd part 3 towers is going to be released nxt month and Amazon already has all 3 movies! this is great. take my order pleez mr. customer srvice rep persons.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Animating Interpretations
Review: Each of these movies holds a place in my heart; they represent the first way I experienced any of Tolkien's books. Not having seen the DVDs, I cannot acknowledge any technical issues, but I can tell you how much I have enjoyed these movies in my past, and hope you have a similar experience in your future.

I first saw The Hobbit in videodisc format. (People remember those, right? About the size of LPs, they stayed in the cases, and you put the case INTO the player, then pulled it back out in order to load it...) It was because of Rankin and Bass's visions that I was reading The Hobbit by second grade. A beautiful mosaic, this film does contradict some of Tolkien's (later) meticulous writings on his characters' appearances, for example, Gollum looks like a mutated frog; but it holds its own in a way that makes you believe, and the voices are perfectly cast. Though some might not be in favor of Glen Yarborough's songs, I stand that they work for this movie. The battles are rather stingy, and the animators shy away from death with a whorl of color and the deceased spinning off into the distance, but again, it works for the movie. The animation definitely gives the piece an "other-worldly" feel, as if this really is something from a time long ago.

I cannot truthfully say when I first saw this film, but it was most likely on BETA (People still remember that, as well, right?) In definitely the darkest of the three installments in this set, Bakshi's Lord of the Rings makes a noble attempt. I'll start with the obvious problems. The worst (though no fault of the director) is that this movie attempts to divide a trilogy into two movies, the second of which was never made. Peter Jackson was lucky indeed to get his LIVE ACTION version, a much more risky venture than animation, into three films. So of course plot elements are dropped, though if you are like I was, and have not read the books, the movie flows rather well. People also balk at the rotoscoping technique used for the action scenes, but I think it lends a creepy edge to the mort realistic of the three films (definitely some gore in this one.) One problem I have with the movie is the characters, Sam's a fat wimp, Aragorn looks like a Native American, Boromir like a Viking, and so on. Frodo and Gandalf are much better, and Gimli and Legolas have more personality than in Jackson's version. Another point for me is that Gollum is portrayed much better, and the voicing, while not as creepy as Brother Theodore's, is more accurate to Tolkien's writings. The orcs are very hard to see, being all black, and therefore, a little creepy. When I was little I actually used to get scared during the Moria scene. However, the balrog, which should be terrifying, comes off as looking like the animated equivalent of a guy in a costume. The dialogue is almost solely from the book, and that really works. So overall, this is a mixed movie.

Perhaps the most inaccurate of the three, and ironically, the movie that most shaped my childhood experience of Tolkien's world, Rankin/Bass's Return of the King is awkward, but enjoyable. The flighty style that so much defined The Hobbit seems out of place in this one. The songs, while enjoyable on their own, don't fit with the sense of doom that is inherit in this last installment. The Lord of the Nazgûl, or Sauron for that matter, aren't nearly as terrifying as they should be. And many characters, such as Gimli, Legolas, Faramir, and Eomer, are nowhere to be seen. That said; all the characters that ARE included are portrayed quite faithfully, save perhaps Aragorn, who give no evidence of once having been in the Fellowship. My personal favorite is Roddy McDowall's Sam Gamgee. In most other portrayals, (save Bakshi's and Jackson's) Sam is seen as mostly a wimp, and his voicing done very feminine. If you ever listen to one of Tolkien's readings of Sam, he meant him to be very loyal, gruff, and resolute, and that comes across here. The timeline is not-so-subtly fudged around with, and what should be epic battles are destroyed with the Rankin/Bass way of "killing." Overall though, the strong casting outshines any creative missteps. And, to its credit, the movie ends in the same bittersweet way as the book.

When I was around eight years old I tried to make a live action version of The Hobbit. I mention this because it holds three pieces of evidence of how these movies influenced me: 1, that I knew the story well enough, 2, The phrase "now you bite my finger off, right?" is mistakenly caught on film, and 3, I tried to recreate the prologue from the beginning of Bakshi's LotR. How many eight-year-olds know that Gollum came to the ring by murdering his closest friend? Ten years later, I can now view these movies set against my avid reading of Tolkien's novels, and find the many flaws they contain. However, I cannot deny the impact they made on my introduction to Middle-Earth. Every version of Lord of the Rings, may it be animation, live action, audio presentations, or book on tape versions, will give you a different point of view. It is important to remember that none will ever match the experience or the visions that you'll have in your mind's eye that come from reading the book itself. Personally, I like taking in EVERY version and enjoying it as a separate experience. These movies are definitely a step in the right direction.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Different aims, different misses
Review: "The Hobbit" is the best of these three, in no small part because Tolkien's novel is a children's book. The Rankin/Bass treatment does this story no injustice. The voice casting for Gandalf and Smaug are great. A great children's book made into a good children's movie. I hate Glen Yarborough's singing.

"The Lord of the Rings." Oh, dear. An "A" for effort, a "D" on the results. Bakshi tried to cram in too much, and ended up with not enough. Some of the animation is brilliant. Some of the rotoscoped stuff stinks. This is the movie that drags the collection down the most. Brilliant in spots, it manages to simutaneously go too fast and drag on too long. Not sure how they did that...

"The Return of the King" makes a good children's movie out of one third of a great adult novel. I must admit that the orc's song, "Where There's a Whip, There's a Way" is a lot of fun, even if it is nothing Tolkien's orcs would sing. The sequence of the breaking of the gate (with Grond) and Eowyn's confrontation with the Lord of the Nazgul are almost word-for-word from the book, and quite well done. The rest of it pretends that The Lord of the Rings is as simple as the Hobbit. Did I mention that I hate Glen Yarborough's singing?

If you are a diehard fan, or have kids who would like "The Hobbit," go for it. Otherwise, you probably won't be happy. You also won't be happy if you, like me, hate Glen Yarborough's singing.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: THE HILLS ARE ALIVE WITH THE GLORY OF LORD OF THE RINGS!
Review: THE HOBBIT
THE HOBBIT is the best of the three.The main reason is because it has a nice warm feeling to it.The others are too, sort of,dark.It is a nice animated feature about Bilbo the Hobbit,who goes on an adventure with a group of Dwarves and a powerful wizard named Gandalf the Grey.One thing I could find bad about it though,is that the interpretations of the graceful Wood Elves of Mirkwood, make them look like evil Goblins.They are tall with scowls on their faces and have sharp fingers and toes.And another thing,this fact did not bother me much, but,Goblins are supposed to be short and skinny,and the Goblins in this are too short,and they are fat and slobbish.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS
I`d say that this is my least favourite out of the pack.It is well done I suppose,but the rotoscope(traced from live action)sequences are awful.The orcs,besides looking like baboons from the rotoscoping,are quite creepy.One thing I like about Ralph Bakshi`s LORD OF THE RINGS, is that this film is`nt afraid to have blood and actual stabbing and slitting with swords and blade weapons(unlike the other two).This film`s Ringwraiths will always creep me out,and so will old Gandalf,for that matter,as he silently points to frodo and paces towards him when he tells Frodo about Bilbo`s ring`s true identity.It moves from the start of THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING,to the battle of Helm`s deep,in THE TWO TOWERS.Only a small proportion of the character interpretations are good.Saruman is dressed in red(and is constantly refered to as "Aruman"),Elrond`s interpretation is pathetic,Boromir looks like a Viking, and in my opinion,Legolas the Elf looks like Peter pan.

RETURN OF THE KING
It is a very good film of the third installment in Tolkien`s trilogy.It is the story being told by a wandering minstrel I think.I love Sam and Frodo`s interpretation.They are
much,much,better than the ones from the middle video.Gollum has once returned(but he`s not the king)to claim his precious again.It is made by the same animators of THE HOBBIT.It is very dark and mysterious especially the way Frodo looks when the ring has turned his ways.The fat,small,orcs return again in all their glory.The witch king is truly terrifying until beautiful Eowyn slays him and his dragon.The flying nazguls are freaky also.The siege of Mynas Tirith scenes are very good as well.

OVERALL
Overall,all three are masterpeices,in my opinion.Numero uno would be THE HOBBIT,second,comes Ralph Bakshi`s LORD OF THE RINGS,and last,but not least,Rankin/bass`s RETURN OF THE KING.An excellent pack for any Lord of the Rings fan.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: pretty good movies
Review: The Hobbit is the best one by far but
Where theres a Whip Theres A Way makes LOTR much better.
The animated versions included a lot of the feeling that the live action left out. I was a big fan of the Dwarven drinking songs.
I wish they included that song in the live action.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: [Junk]!
Review: (I'd give it 0*'s if i could)

This film is about as fun and well done as an eye opertion done by a five year old. This animation is bad, i mean really bad. The plot has been greatly changed from Tolken's great works. Even if you won and lottery and had a million dollars per star then i say don;t weast your money on this.

IF YOU IGNORE THIS REVEIW YOU WILL REGRET IT!


<< 1 2 3 4 5 >>

© 2004, ReviewFocus or its affiliates