Highly Recommended!

Rating: Null/10 (29 August 2002)

In terms of credit for Peter Jackson's translation of Tolkien lore onto film, there are various schools of thought. I believe that Jackson owes the originator a great dept of gratitude, whereas the other thinks that the director should have been bought one hell of a slap-up lunch by JRR should he still have Tolkien for providing such wonderfully rich source material and to Jackson for widening its audience.
With a little time having pssed, if not the hype, you realise that what Jackson has accomplished is nothing short of spectacular. The scale of Middle-Earth is vast, with respect for the novels apparent in every area. Hobbiton in particuler is stunning, given the obvious logistical problems in its creation. Jackson deserves most praise, however, for th efact that the cinematography equals the wonderment of the landscape. The camera doesn't stop at the gates of Isengard, for instance; it coils through Saruman's domain like a curious snake.
As well as grandeur, though, there are many tender moments that occur, easy to neglect in that first viewing on vast screen with all-encompassing sound. The relationship between Frodo and Sam, unrelenting and very moving, proves the centrepiece but examples are plentiful. Even the romantical scenes between Aragorn and Arwen work better than early word would have had you believe.
The casting also fulfils the expectations of the trilogy's faithful following. But though Mortenson may have the range to play Aragorn and McKellen handles Gandalf with subtlety, the real accolades fall to Wood and Astin. The latter in particular relishes his role with such sincerity that you just know how much he loves the story. Don't be embarrased, Sean, your director loves it too.
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Mark: 9/10