Three hour cinematic workout. Some mild spoilers.

Rating: 7/10 (20 December 2001)

Gandalf. Frodo. Samwise. Galadriel. Rivendell. Hobbiton. Lothlorien.
Wow.
These are people and places I have never seen before. And I hope I am not done seeing them. The Fellowship of the Ring is a massive undertaking, both for the filmmakers and the audience. While a knowledge of the books might not be necessary to enjoy the film, a theater with very soft seat cushions is.
The movie doesn't drag. It is chock full of goodness for its almost three hour running time. But those almost three hours will wear you out. Epic battle scenes. Exposition of the one ring and its bearer. A wizard's duel that would make Merlin blush. A mine passage where you can smell the death in the air. And one last battle to send you on your way. This movie is busy, busy, busy. You don't watch it. You experience it.
And what a grand experience it is. Good versus Evil. Cut and dry. It doesn't get much grander than this.