To Dream of Middle Earth

Rating: 10/10 (20 December 2001)

Overall, I give it an A. Not an A+ though.
What can I say, it was a feast for the senses and the emotions for someone who has been a Tolkien fan since his early teens.
Could it have been better, no doubt. But I think it's a matter of diminishing returns. What do you cut, what do you add, it's already 3 hours!
Could it have been worse, OH YES!! But thank God and Peter Jackson and New Line, that it wasn't.
I went misty about a dozen places in the film.
It was magic to be transported to Middle Earth for three hours after nearly thirty years of waiting. Well, at least 23 years of waiting since Bakshi's abortive attempt.
******* SPOILERS AHEAD *******
What's great:

Sauron opening a can of whup-ass

Dragon Fireworks

Gandalf Growing in Power Before Bilbo

The EYE

The "Endless" Columns of Moria

Galadriel Transformed

Barad-dur With The Lava Flowing from Mt. Doom

The Balrog

Orthanc

Gandalf "Break Dancing"

The Bow Guy (i.e., Legolas) 8^)

Liv Tyler (yum)

What's not:

No Glorfindel

No poem from Boromir ("seek for the sword that was broken, not all those who wonder are lost")

Council of Elrond "Consternatious Uproar"

Gimli's Excitment at Visiting Moria

No Remembrance of Mithrandir (i.e., Gandalf) at Lorien

No Gifts at Lorien, except one

No blindfolds at Lorien

The Great River did not look that "Great"

Battle scenes are cut too fast

What's very good: EVERYTHING ELSE!!
There were a number of very touching moments in the film, where as I said, tears were welling. Of course I am an emotional person to begin with.

******* MORE SPOILERS *******
One was when Samwise stopped and told Frodo that he was about to go further from home then ever before. I had to pause and ponder at that point what was in store for Sam and what roles he had yet to play. I smiled.
Another was when Frodo jumped into Gandalf's lap, demonstrating his enthusiasm and friendship, but also that touch of innocence that would all too soon be lost.
It was sad to see Gandalf fall. And of course to see Boromir die. But what a delight to see him training Merry and Pippin!! I liked the short love scene 'tween Arwen and Elessar (i.e., Elf Stone, aka Aragorn, aka Strider).
Please go to see this movie and ENJOY!!