A Masterpiece in Storytelling(Spoilers included)

Rating: 10/10 (13 December 2002)

I first read LOTR when I was freshman in college. I was studying for finals when I needed a break so I picked up a copy of The Hobbit (a Christmas present from my mother years beforehand). I needed something to take my mind off of biology so I thought I would give this little book a chance. Within a week of opening that book, I not only finished it but I also finished the entire LOTR series. Ever since I have been a loyal fan and an ardent defender of what I would classify as possibly the greatest book of the twentieth century. When first hearing of the plans to bring the book to the big screen I was highly skeptical, however since seeing this first installment all of my fears have been laid to rest. FOTR was everything it was built up to be and more(a feat highly unusual in movies these days). Peter Jackson has set a new standard in storytelling for all others to follow. What has made this movie so much better than other adaptations from classic novels is the director's willingness to present the audience with his own interpretation of the books rather than simply following the plot of the book scene by scene. While this will of course lead to criticisms from some, I find it refreshing that PJ was willing to take such a risk. I have lost count of how many times I have watched this movie but I never get tired of it and the effect it has upon me is never less than when I saw it for the first time. I am so thrilled that these movies have introduced Tolkien to an entirely new generation, one that probably would never have heard of LOTR if a movie hadn't been made. My hope is that these movies will inspire people to return to the books because there is still a certain magic within them that can never be fully captured on screen (although PJ has come pretty close). If the two sequels live up to this first intsallment, then The Godfather movies will have a serious rival for the greatest trilogy of all time!