Amazing Movie!

Rating: 10/10 (20 July 2013)

A great story, a great movie, a great cast of characters. Hats off.
I read the books more than 10 years ago and re-read them only recently in anticipation of the movie. I am pleased to report that the movie surpassed my expectations (already high due to the surrounding hype and positive initial reactions).
Clearly one of the best features of the film (if any one can be singled out) is the music. I do hope Shore keeps up the good work and the same motives throughout the trilogy (especially the "Concerning Hobbits" piece). Fitting music is the one thing that I missed when reading the books (of course).
As regards the cast of characters, the only choice that I could not endorse was the selection of Mr. Mortensen for the role of Aragorn. No insult meant, but Mr. Mortensen is not my idea of Elendil's heir and the future king of Gondor. On the other hand, I would like to stand up in defence of the much criticized Liv Tyler as Arwen. She seemed elvish enough for my taste and, standing at the fords with that little scar on her face delivering the "if you want him, come and claim him" line, she was just too cute for any criticism. McKellen's performance as Gandalf stands out together with that of the Hobbit gang (all of them were exactly as I wanted them to be). Hugo Weaving was excellent (although, as some commentators have noted, at the point where he discusses the future of the Ring with Gandalf, I almost expected him to say "It seems that you have been leading two lives Mr. Anderson...").