This Ring Brings them All!

Rating: 10/10 (25 December 2001)

This film is an excellent interpretation of the Tolkien novel. Forget all the endless comparisons you will find in these pathetic `fan' reviews. These people insist on dissecting the script and offering what amounts to a whining & puling, endlessly complaining, chapter by chapter comparison. Then they say "The film is a masterpiece from start to finish." What?!
Let's ignore such long-winded, self-important, amateur opinions and focus on the reality of this excellent movie. It's all about storytelling - and "Fellowship" is a story told well. I'd recommend not reading the book (or reading it again if you're a freak like me) before seeing the film, because you'll just be cheating yourself. I think reading/re-reading in proximity is a cardinal rule for experiencing any adaptation. The movie is NEVER going to be what the book is, and vice versa. For better or worse, it's always going to be a retelling of the story, not a visual or written carbon copy. The novel was great, the movie is great; hope your New Year is great as well. Don't forget, if you see this film before January 1st, it's a tax write-off for 2001.
See it, love it, and see it again.
I was just kidding about the tax write-off thing.
Cordially, Mr. Bradbury~