Amazing!

Rating: 10/10 (21 December 2001)

I have to admit I was slightly worried when I first heard that a Lord of the Rings movie was being made. I couldn't see how a film could do Tolkein's masterpiece of a book any justice whatsoever. I initially thought that the special effects would be lame and the acting would be over-done. I thought that a film version would be naff and would butcher my favourite book.
However, after seeing trailers, reading interviews etc. I started to get excited. I could see that the huge team behind this film had obviously worked very hard in getting it just right. The casting sounded perfect (Ian Mckellen as Gandalf - genius) and the location, beautiful (New Zealand with its strong contrasts of terrain.)
The excitement of this movie began to grow and grow and after re-reading the book just in time, I knew that this was going to be one hell of a film. The cast was strong, the effects team were doers of the impossible and lets face it, the story in question is the greatest one ever told...I just hoped it came across that way.
I went to see it last night. I was speechless. It didn't seem like 3 hours - the whole thing was a joy. Tolkein would be so proud of a film like this one. It does the book justice and more - Peter Jackson, you are my hero.
I was worried about Liv Tyler (I'm not her biggest fan) but I needn't have been. I thought that Elijah Wood may have been too American, but he wasn't. I was worried that the effects would be too unbelieveable - they weren't. They were completely awesome. The whole experience was great.
This is a film that will go down in history. This is a film that will rival the classics such as Star Wars (In my mind last night's film was far superior!). Roll on the Oscars - this film deserves the lot!
I just hope the next two will be as good. I'm sure they will.
10/10