Excellent! Well worth the wait.

Rating: 10/10 (22 December 2001)

This is one of the best movies I've seen in years, maybe ever. The story remains faithful enough to the book so that you aren't thinking about how it's different here and there, yet isn't so full of "too many" details as to be boring. This movie is fast-paced, despite it's 3 1/2 hour run time. Of course, I imagine it helps to have read the book(s) or at least be familiar with the story, but I've heard from people that haven't read them that they also thought it was a fantastic flick.
In addition to the wonderful effects and excellent pacing, the casting of this film was no less than perfect. I have to admit that when I first heard Elijah Wood was to be Frodo, I was quite skeptical. However, I now have no doubt as to his perfection for the role. All the roles seem to have been perfectly cast, with my favorite being Hugo Weaving as Elrond. I would never have thought of him myself, and yet I cannot picture anyone else as Elrond. He is EXACTLY as I always imagined Elrond to be - EXACTLY. In addition to perfect casting, the acting itself is superb. I never saw the actors, just the characters brought to real, live-action life.
It's a shame that we have to wait for the follow-up movies, but if they are this good, they will be well worth the wait.
Definitely a KEEPER!