An epic film on a scale the world has not seen before !

Rating: 10/10 (20 December 2001)

I was pleasantly surprised by this film.
My hopes for this film were very high, and I was almost certain they couldn't be met. The film starts strong, with an epilogue which blew me away ! The battle scenes are truly spectacular and the special effects work brilliantly. From the trailers I saw I was worried the comic side of the Hobbits would be underplayed, but Peter Jackson has really hit the mark in this respect. Bilbo , Pippin and Sam get some great laughs. Bilbo's farewell party is great. The fireworks are brilliant, the Hobbits endearing and the antics of Merry and Pippin hilarious.
On the down side I was a bit disappointed in the elves. In my mind the elves were more striking, taller with an unworldly beauty. And the journey through Lorien seems a bit rushed (but then would you want to have an extra half hour added to the film !) Galadriel had some moments which looked a bit weak to me. The scene where she envisions, what would happen if she takes hold of the Ring is very powerful though. That makes up for a lot. And she is beautiful ! Elrond works for me. He has a strong presence. Legolas too. Swift. The way that bow just keeps going on...
The cinematography is breathtaking. New Zealand couldn't have had a better way to promote itself. The sweeping camera moves combined with the excellent cgi added to the epic scale of this film in a manner which sent chills down my spine !