Faithful, Beautiful, Magical Adaptation

Rating: 10/10 (19 December 2001)

Peter Jackson is perhaps the best kept secret to film making. After
Lord of the Rings, his secret status is in serious jeopardy. His
adaptation of The Fellowship of the Ring is the most faithful,
remarkably beautiful film to come out of Hollywood in a long time.
This coming from a New Zealander best known for a lawn mower
graphically splattering hundreds of zombies across the silver (and
crimson screen). Who would have thought it? Well, those of us
who have been enamoured of Jackson's peculiar genius for the
last few years knew he was the man for the job. Now all
speculation can cease.
In the three hours that Fellowship of the Ring unfolds before our
eyes, we are greeted to a rich and thoroughly detailed fantasy
setting, one which is as real as it is fantastical. The Shire is
everything that it should be, Rivendell is unpredictable yet
stunning, and Lothlorien is nothing short of magical.

If sacrifices were made, it was in the fleshing out of the
"secondary" members of the Fellowship, such as Gimli, Mary,
Pippin, and Boromir. Nevertheless, Tolken's work is such a
detailed creation it was inevitable that some characterization
would be lost in a cinematic retelling. Jackson does the best he
can within the confines of a limited time frame presented to him in
the film format. Hopes run high for an extended DVD which further
develops the important supporting cast.
Despite this one small quibble, The Fellowship of the Ring cast a
cinematic spell unlike any I have been subject to in a very long
time. For 180 minutes, I sat quivering in my seat, unable to look
away even for a split second.
No spoilers and please, avoid reading any reviews that include
any before you see the film. There are some spells that are best
experienced without the benefit of a crystal ball.