Books to film

Rating: 10/10 (8 January 2002)

Every movie that I have ever seen that was originally a novel, I read prior to seeing the movie. For the most part, this disappoints me a great deal, but not in this case.
I am truly amazed at how well the book was followed. I must have read the books a dozen times, so I knew the story very well. Normally, a movie completely demolishes the storyline of the novel...this is the first time that the movie acts as an enhancement to the book. No shortcuts taken, no punches pulled.
My only wish is that a clearer view of the Balrog was possible. However, there are some things in the book that were simply too fearsome, and had we gotten that clearer view, the movie probably would have been rated R.
Still, in my personal opinion (which, along with a quarter could buy a newspaper...maybe), I believe Tolkien would be proud.