Rating: 
Summary: The Power of the One Ring
Review: The movie, like the ring, has this irresistible power. It consumes you and pulls you to it. To adapt a phrase, "It WANTS to be seen". I've only managed to see it three times on the meager savings of a college student, but I find myself trying to plan seeing it again, I can't say enough about this movie.
When you see the movie you feel like you are IN middle earth. Every little detail is believable, that's what makes this movie so good, the details. Amazing effects, outstanding cast, beautiful scenery and so much more, this movie has everything and, I think stays true to the essence of the book. As I watched, I heard lines that I remembered straight from the book. Like when Gandalf falls into the abyss and utters "Fly you fools," before falling.
While there were things taken straight from the book, it was condensed and certain things from the book were left out. Such as the encounter with Tom Bombadil, and some things were changed, like Arwen saving Frodo instead of Glorfindel meeting the companions and sending Frodo off on his horse, which I think was more dramatic, but, that's just me. I found that in whole the main idea was there. I also like how at this point they make Arwen and Aragorn's story more prominent. It does not detract in any way.
One qualm is that it did seem hurried along, things happened very fast, and yet the movie is still three hours long. Obviously, they couldn't follow the book exactly, that would have added at LEAST two more hours to the movie, and I understand that, but everything else is so close to the book that I am very pleased with the result. They should have not cared about length and put an intermission in, maybe we'll get some more ont he DVD?
Having read the books though, I obviously know the story. But what was so wonderful even still about this movie is that it still found ways to get me emotionally involved. For example make me nervous, when the ringwraith is sniffing for the hobbits which I was pleased about because that sniffing is described in detail in the book, or startle me, like when Bilbo tries to take the ring again in Rivendell. I even cried when the fellowship grieves Gandalf, even though I know that... well I won't ruin it for people who haven't read all the books. Little twists like this kept me on my toes and made me fall even deeper in love with a story already dear to my heart.
The cast is amazing too, not only are they wonderful actors and make you believe in their relationships and the feelings they have about the things going on around them, but the look of each character is perfect. Not perfect to how I envisioned them when reading, or how you or anybody else envisioned them when reading, but perfect because they each have enough of the basic descriptions given in the book that your own imaginings kind of adapt to what you see on the screen. Gandalf has the hat, and the beard, and the way he lets his emotions about the "halflings" show, is so heart warming. Frodo, well Elijah Wood looks other worldly to begin with perfect choice I think. In the book it talks about Frodo and Bilbo looking alike, and I wonder if they could have found a way to do that, even though I think Ian Holm does a wonderful Bilbo. Also it was supposed to be both Frodo and Bilbo's birthdays at the party. They have the same birthday and explaining that in the movie may have shown how close their relationship is better. Sean Astin is PERFECT as Sam, that way he has of speaking, who knew a Goonie coulda come so far. Merry and Pippin are just that, Merry and Pippin, they just look the part to me. Sauruman is just amazing, honestly, the moment you see him you know he's turned evil. I like how his fingernails are rather long like claws. John Rhys Davies is absolutely perfect to give Gimli that dwarf spark and attitude, like a friendly little Klingon, perfection. Legolas, I don't know where they found this kid Orlando Bloom, but hold onto him, he's masterful. When I read somewhere that he took archery classes and that's really him launching those arrows within milliseconds of each other, I thought, he really IS an elf. Which is why I can't wait for the next two movies to see how they conclude this epic adventure, and especially to see how they've portrayed Gollum, one of the most interesting, scary, and even pitiable characters ever. The few teases we get of him in the first movie are not enough, and I'm on pins and needles.
Whatever the next two movies hold I know they will live up to the books as this one and keep the feeling of Tolkien and his story intact.
After seeing the movie the third time I was pleased to be graced with a "preview" not a trailer of The Two Towers! The preview was such a tease. I think they ruined it for people who haven't read the books, though, because they show Gandalf coming back. But I was pleased to see how different he looks as Gandalf the Grey as opposed to Gandalf the White. They showed the Ents! I'm so happy! They will be interesting to see. Plus they give us a tease of Eowyn, and more of Gollum! I am so excited and anxious to see this next installment, I can't wait until Christmas!
Rating:
Summary: THE CULMINATING ACHIEVEMENT OF THE WHOLE FANTASY INDUSTRY
Review: In my younger, pre-Christian days, I was one of those early-1970's LOTR fetishists (and there were enough of us around to outnumber all the fell hordes of Mordor) who who regarded Tolkien's meisterwerk as something of a spiritual map. I've outgrown quite such an un-nuanced belief in Tolkien's grasp on Eternal Truth. In fact the last time I read the book, I was a little (dare I so much as whisper it, even in the well-lit halls of Rivendell?) cringed by the political incorrectness, the imperialistic assumptions, the sheer darn chauvinism of the narrative. Literary fashions move on, and Tolkien is an increasingly dated form of cool. But then the same could be said of Shakespeare. LOTR still ranks as my favourite novel of all time, and it shows every sign of being the most enduring piece of classical literature to come out of the English-speaking world in the 20th century. In a generation that is steeped in sword and sorcery imagery, it is so easy to forget that (allowing for his largely unacknowledged debt to Wagner), Tolkien invented that whole industry single-handedly. In the light of all this pseudo-spiritual baggage, I was highly sceptical that anyone could ever translate the essence of the tale into another format. Previous attempts in the animation and RPG media had not helped to inspire confidence. After all, it was reading Tolkien that taught so many people what used to be quite a rare feat of visualising fantastical landscapes and creatures for themselves; Middle Earth was almost designed as a solipsistic bolt-hole from reality. How could anyone put visual clothing on it for others? Of course the secret of Jackson's success is that the world of Fantasy Landscape & Creatures has become a mature global industry. There is now a little-noticed but very real consensus among the book-reading, film-going and game-playing public as to what lonely mountains, evil fortresses and all manner of hobgoblins should look like. This consensus has been nurtured and built up by illustrators, film set designers, graphic artists, computer programmers and the like over the last thirty years or so, through a broad conformity that (like radioactive half-life) has transcended their individuality. It has even (in a manner well understood by literary historians) re-shaped the way the book will be visualised in the imagination of people who first read the book far earlier. Most of these die-hard fans of the original book will be unaware of how much flesh has been put onto their original, private visualisation of the story by these external inputs, but it is axiomatic that we visualise the unfamiliar strictly in terms of what we know. It follows that the original, individualistic, numinous, Wholly-Other (and possibly Acid-tinged?) landscape that existed in the minds of many older readers has been gradually and subtly been supplanted by the more mundane and concrete imagery from a generation of picture books, calendar and poster artwork, films and computer games. All that Middle Earth has been waiting for, then, is for someone to come along with the technology, the budget and the elephantine ambition to sum up thirty years of this cross-media artistic consensus and flow it round a simplified story-line lifted from Tolkien's books. Thus the original inspiration for the genre and its entire progeny are joined together. We have come full circle. As far as the Fantasy industry is concerned, the creative cycle is complete. This may just be long-winded wibble, but it may help to explain why so many filmgoers (including people who like myself have been reading the books over and over again for decades) came out of the theatre wondering how Jackson could have read their minds so accurately. In one sense of course, it is all a psychological trick. In a nutshell, the creative media have been telling us for so many years what a magic world looks like, we have all forgotten what it looked like when we were left to picture it for ourselves. But then again, all artistic appreciation is guided by social convention. Much of Jackson's phenomenal achievement lies in how he has tapped into that collective consciousness, how in other words he has held a mirror up to our cultural soul. In consequence, as a theatrical release, this film is just about the most roundly satisfactory watching experience I can remember. The three hours go like a flash, and I am looking forward to all-night "Lord of the Rings - Complete" sessions once all three episodes are on release. I am less convinced that the film's vast visual and sonic impact can ever be conveyed in home-video format (particularly on pre-wide screen kit). However, in the balance I am optimistic: This isn't just a visual spectacle. It is a finely scripted theatrical work (using an abnormally large amount of the original author's own dialogue). The stripped-down story-line of the movie works well in its own right, both as a self-contained epic and as feeder to the larger trilogy to come. The casting is a major achievement all by itself. The acting performances are all (with the exception of one or two senior elves) exemplary. Ian Holm (Bilbo) and Sean Bean (Boromir) are particularly intense and moving as the characters with the most internal torment to convey. That much at least will come across in any format. If you ever liked Tolkien, or fantasy art generally, this will be one to buy and keep.
Rating: 
Summary: super boring
Review: This movie was tremendously boring, and over done. Relentlessly building up scenes with close-ups, corny music, and slow-mo pans,most of which I laughed at(check out the scene where the fellowship is formed!) The fellowship is such a boyband when you think about it- Strider the tough guy -Frodo the cute one -Gandolf the wise older brother -Legalos the hearttrob and the other jerks. There were more battles here than your average action movie, yet it still managed to be boring!? The wizard fight is more laughable than Denzel's fight in "The Bone collector". My friends and I shook our heads countless times, case in point the "swimming" scene at the movie's close. . Do not see this movie.
Rating:
Summary: The Best I've EVER seen
Review: I have to say that I was not sure that Peter Jackson could do justice to The Lord of the Rings. After all, this is one of the most treasured books of the 20th Century. I was very late in seeing the movie, in fact I did not see it until this year. Boy, did I really miss out. I absolutely love this movie. Although it was an impossiblity to tranfer the entire book to film, the director did a marvelous job. The acting was superb. My favorite character is Legolas and I really enjoyed the way that Jackson brought out his wonderful qualities. I'm sure that Orlando Bloom in all his gorgeousness had a lot to do with it as well. I highly recommend this movie. It deserved to win Oscars, however I feel that it should have won best picture. I am happy that it did win for Cinematography and Score. Those are the two aspects of this movie that were stupendous. This movie was very tastefully done. No gratuitous anything, just one magnificent piece of work that will stand through the Centuries.
Rating:
Summary: Simply amazing!
Review: I was totally blown away by this movie! I read the books many times before watching the movie and - this movie stayed really close to the original script and animated it beautifully. Awesome special effects without being too flashy, casting great too. All in all a very balanced piece of work. I can't wait to get the DVD release, it's a MUST HAVE for my collection.
Rating:
Summary: the BEST movie EVER MADE!!
Review: This movie was amazing. It inspired me to read the books, and see it 6 times! It was SO incredible. It had everything!! It had adventure, magic, romance, suspense, and cute guys!!(By the way, I'm no just some guy-crazy girl, the cute guys are just a plus to an already magnificent movie.) It was so terrific in every aspect, I wanted it to go on forever! To continue the enjoyment, I came home and bought the soundtrack (which is also amazing), Now I am a total Lord of the Rings fan, just because I saw that one movie. Literally, this is the only movie that has ever made my friends and I laugh, cry, and scream out loud in the theater. Wonderful performances by all the actors, superb visuals, and awe-inspiring story line. It is purely magical and will take your breath away. I would give it a million stars if I could. This movie will capture your heart! If you haven't seen it, GO SEE IT NOW!! IT IS THE BEST MOVIE EVER MADE!!
Rating:
Summary: The Fellowship of the Ring Rules Supreme
Review: Obviously, the books and one's imagination are the best ways to experience Tolkien's grand story. However, this movie is an excellent movie in and of itself, even if it contains some slight deviations from the book (*Cough* Tom Bombadil *Cough*). But, since it is so well done, even taking most of its lines straight from the book, and is based on the great story of Tolkien, I consider it one of the best movies of all time. The visual effects are some of the best ever. The acting is uncannily good for a ragtag bunch of fairly obscure actors (except two). In addition, it simply captures one's imagination, emotions, and excitement. See it many times. Buy the DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: Beatifull and Dark adaptation
Review: The only thing that I think I didn't like about this movie was that it was a bit too dark. Otherwise, it was a beautifully filmed and acted adaptation of Tolkien's classic novel. Can't wait for the next movie to come out :-)!
Rating:
Summary: wow, just, wow
Review: this is coming from the view of a die-hard harry potter fan. as many know, some people have decided to make a competition out of the harry potter movie and the lord of the rings movie. i was one of them. i had read and worshipped the harry potter books, and i naturally went to the movie the first possible day i could (which was the sunday of opening weekend, i was in a play on friday and saturday) i absolutely refused to go and put my own money forth to see lord of the rings. but, i was offered, in january, extra credit from my english teacher if i were to go see lord fo the rings and write a character essay. i naturally decided to do it, though i was quite sure i would hate it. well of course i didn't. i loved it! it just blew me away how they were able to bring this mystifying world to life. i had not read the books first, but i wish i had. but, in someways, it helps to read them afterwards (as i have.) that way, you can't be disappointed. not that i think i would be. i am very confident that i won't be disappointed by the two towers, or return of the king, the next two installments. this movie was entertainment in every sense of the word.
Rating:
Summary: Lord of the Rings
Review: This was a great fantasy movie. I was transported to Hobbiton and didn't come back to reality until the credits started to roll. Dark and not without violence, I felt it was one of the best movies of the year. A must own movie for my video library!
|
