Breathtaking film

Rating: 8/10 (26 December 2001)

Even though, as a big Tolkien fan, part of me was saying "that's not the same as the book" and "that's not how I pictured it", the rest of me was going "Ooooh". When I walked out of the theater after my second viewing, I was torn between, "How long should I wait before I go again" and "A whole year before the next one!!".
Now for details. Sean Bean was a showstopper, in a role that could easily have been one dimensional. McKellan, as Gandalf, was, in turns, gruff, menacing, and playful. The hobbits, and Gimli the drarf, looked great, whatever effects or camerawork gave them their smaller stature blended seamlessly with the rest of the cast. My only problem was when Gimli ran, he looked a bit like a child.
Merry and Pippin were not developed to any great degree, but that should come in the next film and the actors did a good job. My only complaint was
Viggo Mortenson(sp?) as Aragorn. He seemed a bit wooden. Part of this was because Bean's character was more active, but some of the blame must fall on the actor.
Great film overall. While there were a couple of scenes I would have liekd to have left in, including every fan's favorites would have bloated the film and made it unwatchable and unmarketable.