Rating: 
Summary: Lord of the Rings -- The Fellowship of the Ring
Review: I've read about 20 reviews of the Fellowship of the Ring and have yet to read anyone who agrees with my viewpoint -- a technically stupendous movie that's incredibly violent. At least 1 1/2 hours of really terrifying violence out of 2 3/4 hours of film; the other 45 minutes are charming and beautiful, but the movie's really about killing. I guess the fact that the "other" creatures are subhuman and evil makes it so okay that no other reviewer has even mentioned it. I haven't read Tolkien but can't believe that this emphasis comes from him. Bringing children under 12 to this movie is morally reprehensible; until they're old enough to have high testosterone levels it's not going to be fun for them. Let me make a further point -- yes, I'm female; I'm also a nurse who's spent many hours working in intensive care and ER to save lives and give pain relief to victims of trauma, and watching pain inflicted on other beings, hearing their screams of pain, go against my grain -- realizing it's "just pretend" doesn't make it tolerable -- and I suspect that's true for most women. I don't see reality in terms of kill or be killed; there are millions of stories to be told in ways that are enthralling and inspiring that don't involve confrontation and brutality. A film industry not dominated by men would tell some of these other stories in very entertaining and lucrative ways. This movie and its enthusiastic followers are evidence that our society is so violent we don't recognize our own blood lust. Ideals of world peace are a farce as long as we glorify violence because the victims are "subhuman and evil." The myth that brutality is okay in the fight against good and evil obscures the point that brutality is part of the evil.
Rating: 
Summary: Just Two Words For This Movie
Review: Oh! Wow!As a life-long Tolkien fan, I went prepared to be disappointed. How could this movie ever measure up to the book? The answer is that it can't possibly, but this movie bends the rules. It's not less than the novel, it's different from the novel while preserving its spirit. Sure, some of every Tolkien freak's favorite bits got cut, but the important parts got the royal treatment. The Nazgul still scare the fertilizer out of me, and I get perilously close to soiling my knickers when the Balrog appears, even though I've read the book half a dozen times, and seen the movie three times. Bravo!
Rating:
Summary: A WONDERFUL BIG FILM FULL OF 'HUMAN' EFFECTS
Review: At last, a massive epic/action/fantasy film that doesn't rest on special effects alone. The most inspired aspect of this film is not the locations, digital effects or cinematogaphy...it's actually the CASTING. A truly INSPIRED element that, for me, has elevated the film into the hall of "greatest adventure films of all time". Well done Peter Jackson for choosing actors none of us would have ever considered for the roles, and directing them in such a way where 'timing' of dialogue and movement makes the film come 'alive' with intensely 'human' effects. In fact, the casting is such a perfect match in every case, I cannot even imagine anyone else playing these marvellous characters. Thankfully these films are all shot back to back so we're guaranteed the same cast throughout the trilogy.
Especially Aragorn, Legolas, Boromir and Gandalf, who bring these roles to life in such passionate detail. Each actor realizes the story is not just about good and evil, it is more about the sweet and righteous corruption of power. The quality of these actors (most of whom come from the stage), allows them to illuminate this dark side of the rings (so omnipresent throughout the books), yet still maintain our sympathy and interest. Especially those actors who play Boromir and Aragon: inspiring! Oops, now I'm repeating myself so I'll finish. This film deserves SIX STARS.
Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece.
Review: Yesterday (1-25-02), I saw this movie for the sixth time. Personally, I feel that if you're willing to sit through a three hour movie without an intermission two to three times, it must be pretty good. The movie was just wonderful. I guess I should give the author of the books the credit for how interesting the plot was, but the acting and special effects just made it that much more alive (heck, I cried). The cast was beautifully put together; there wasn't really any "big wigs," but I have seen most of these talented actors in movies before ("Gandalf" in X-Men, "Sam" in Rudy, etc.). Those costume and special effects people also deserve a lot of recognition because not only did everything look pretty real, but the bad guys actually looked scary (then again, I guess my opinion doesn't really count because I don't watch horror films...) Okay, now that I've stated how wonderful this movie is, I'd like to make a few notes. First, prior to seeing this film, I've never read The Lord of the Rings or anything. However, after seeing it for the first time, I went out and bought The Hobbit and the trilogy. This next part has to deal more with you, the reader. If you have any young siblings or kids, I would highly recommend not letting them see this movie in theaters. It is rather violent, so unless you have a desensitized nine-year-old (or older), I would either recommend them not seeing it until they're older, or waiting until it's out on video. Also, if you or anyone else you know has sensitive hearing (my brother, for one), don't let them see it in theaters (infants probably should be left with a babysitter too). The horseback riders make a sound that's a cross between a high-shrilled woman's scream and the sound of a scared horse. My brother didn't see the movie, but if he did, his ears STILL would be ringing (five hours later).
Rating:
Summary: Worth the Wait
Review: I have waited 34 years for this film, since I read the books the first time. I hated the botched animated films. This is a true masterpiece. Peter Jackson has successfully captured the essence of Middle Earth. As with all readers of the books, I had created mental images of the landscape and the inhabitants of Middle Earth. Although the film is not always what I had pictured in my mind, what is seen on the screen is right. As a reader of the books there are characters and events I miss seeing in the film, but the essence is there.....and for those who have not read the books, perhaps this film will inspire them to take a lingering visit to Middle Earth. It will be a long year waiting for the next installment.......
Rating:
Summary: 'Ring' in the New Year
Review: Never having read the trilogy, I thought the movie might be too deep. The sound, photography, scripts, acting is all superb. Orlando Bloom was born to play the part of Legolas and Liv Uhlman was an elf to perfection. Not a movie for young persons (say under 10) the movie is beyond wonderful for adults. Being visual, I have only seen a movie the second time maybe three times in all my movie-going years. Tomorrow I will see Rings for the fourth time. A couple of my friends did not get as much out of it as I did. But they didn't dislike it either. I can honestly say this movie impacted my life in a major way.
Rating:
Summary: Perfection
Review: This is truly one of the best films I have ever seen. The acting is superb (Elijah Wood actually makes a good hobbit), and the movie sticks to the books as much as it can. I never looked away from the screen, and that's saying a lot! I'm dying to see the next film in the trilogy.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant!! Absolutely Brilliant!!
Review: I couldn't have asked for a better onscreen presentation of this wonderful book. There are a few changes (only a few) that were made to give the movie a little more continuity, but for the most part it's perfect. The CG's are very well done. Not only are they well crafted, they are well placed...not overusing technology just because you have it. The acting is wonderful and the photography is breathtaking. I can't wait for the next two movies.
Rating:
Summary: Astonishing and breath-taking.
Review: I'm a big fan of Peter Jackson. Not only is he from the country I live in, but he has a knack for bringing the most unlikely stories to the screen and making them big and brilliant. How the sudden anticipation for The Lord of the Rings trilogy suddenly came to be I do not know, but I know that I was sucked in by the fabulous trailers for this movie and the fact that it was filmed in my home town. So, when I gathered up a big bucket of popcorn and set out to see the first New Zealand public screening, I was very worried the movie might be not worth all the hype. Well, I have something to tell all Lord of the Rings fans - this is not disappointing! The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring already has the highest audience average on IMDb, and critics have raved about it. I'm just another one of those little critics, sharing my bit, but I'm prepared to rave about just how much of a great achievement this is. What really sets The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring apart from the other movies this year is the whole premise. It is really amazing how the storyline that most movie viewers would consider ridiculous seem brilliant and believable. I felt like I was actually there, meeting the monsters and experiencing the adventure as Frodo and his lot embarks on a noble quest. The performances also really helped this movie. Now, don't be fooled if you don't see enough of Liv Tyler or Cate Blanchett - their real place in the story will come in the upcoming next two films. In this movie those two actresses are no more than cameos, but they have big parts in the next few movies, so that is not a flaw at all. Elijah Wood couldn't have been better cast as Frodo the Hobbit. Elijah plays Frodo warmly and accurately as a hobbit struggling with evil powers beyond his belief. While Elijah Wood's great portrayal of this character is good, I felt that the character itself was not really heroic enough. Right at the end he decides to stop being a woss and then it's all over! Due to this flaw, I felt the heart and soul of the movie really belonged to Gandalf the Grey, played excellently by Sir Ian McKellen.The anti-climatic ending (which, before the final frame, includes some laughably cheesy lines) also made me feel a little disappointed, but it leaves you hanging on the edge of your seat for the next movie. The whole atmosphere of the film just really got me revved up and sitting there breathing incredibly loudly. The scariness of the dark riders and the fact that you never know where this movie is going to take its next turn is really entertaining. Overall, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring has not only proved itself the most anticipated film of all time, but also has the highest audience average ever on IMDb, and this film truly deserves a place on my top 10 of the year 2001. A work of art!
Rating:
Summary: .as great as I'd hoped
Review: I'm quite familiar with the Trilogy, having read it four times in a span of about six years. I was so thrilled to hear of it coming to cinema form that I read it again. As it had been a number of years since I'd last read it I was a little disapointed in my rereading of it. The majesty I'd recalled as a late teen\early adult seemed a little faded.
I'd like to say that upon seeing the movie all the awe and sense of granduer I'd experienced with my earlier readings were back. I was in Middle Earth. I've seen it three times and am probably not done yet. This is the standard to aspire to in this genre. All Star Wars movies pale before this.
One more thing; too long at three hours? I'd have gladly stayed another six and seen the Two Towers and Return of the King if I could have.
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