Excellent, but not totally convincing

Rating: Null/10 (10 January 2002)

I went to see this movie with someone who never read the book, whereas I must have read it about 25 times as well as every other book on the subject of Middle Earth/Tolkien. We both came out the movie a little bit out of breath. The last three quarters are so full of action that one hardly has the time to blink the eyes. For sure: there is a lot of cruel fighting in the books as well, but we both thought it was slightly overdone - especially the scene where the Uruk is trying to kill Boromir and Aragorn comes to the rescue. There was no need for this, nor is it in the book. The cast was very good, although I am not sure if Frodo and Elrond were played quite correctly. Frodo seems a bit too amazed all the time (and why does he remind me of Michael Jackson all the time), whereas Elrond clearly was cast wrongly. Why is Sam calling his Master 'Frodo' all the time? Is this a case of political correctness? I thought that was a grave mistake, one that Tolkien would never ever have allowed, had he been alive. On the other hand I thought the landscapes, the Shire, Rivendell, the Golden Wood, Orthanc, and Moria were just brilliantly done. My partner got lost quickly in all the names and side stories - but that is something that happens when you read the books as well. I, on the other hand thought some scenes - the handing of the Star-glass of Earendil to Frodo, Galadriel not being seen wearing the Elven Ring etc. were omitted needlessly as there was time enough to explain. Instead that precious time was used for the action scenes - and I am afraid it will be the same in the following parts, as there is still a lot violence to follow.
But I wouldn't miss them for the world.