They said no one could do justice to LOTR - they were wrong!

Rating: 8/10 (21 December 2001)

The successful adaptation of a best-selling novel to the big screen is a monumental undertaking with many variables to take into account. The first obstacle is the nature of the novel - while books allow for a virtually unrestricted level of depth, detail and perception the bounds of cinema are far more constrained, especially with regards to time. Another concern is how the story is told - should the director opt for a mirror telling of the (a la "Harry PotterÂ…") or create his or her own interpretation and risk alienating the fans. There is also the matter of casting - every reader has their own preconceived ideas of what their favorite characters look like and who should play them - recall the imbroglio over the casting of Tom Cruise in "Interview With The Vampire". If the task does not yet seem daunting enough, imagine that you've chosen to film The trilogy that formed the keystone of the fantasy genre as we know it today, a series which has been read by over 100 million people over the past five decades. I'm sweating just thinking about it.
When Frodo a young, carefree Hobbit, receives a ring as a "gift" from his uncle, he has no idea of it's significance: forged in the furnaces of Mount Doom, the ring will bestow unimaginable powers upon those who know its secrets and bend their will to evil. Frodo learns that the ring's creator, the dark lord Sauron, has risen again and has dispatched his forces over the land to find it. The only way to halt Sauron's reign is for the ring to be cast into the fires of Mount Doom and thereby destroyed. Thus, Frodo, with the help of his eight companions - wizards and warriors, of differing kinds and kin- embark on a perilous journey to save Middle Earth.
Peter Jackson's plans to develop "The Fellowship of the Ring" into a movie began over six years ago. He shopped the idea around Hollywood, but was repeatedly turned down by every major studio. When he approached New Line, he expected little more, and was told that not only could he make his film, they wanted the whole trilogy. Jackson was both astounded and ecstatic, and set to work, filming all three films simultaneously in order to ensure continuity among the cast and scenery, resulting in a grueling 18-month shoot. The effort was well worth it.
****** Be warned - gushing & potential spoilers ahead*****

From the opening narrative, explaining the history of the ring you get the feeling of an epic unfolding before your eyes and the battle scene depicting the initial defeat of Sauron is phenomenal. The film then switches to the story of the passing of the ring, introducing several of the main characters and the Shire, and I felt as though Jackson knew the visions that I had in my head when reading the book.
I don't know much about Elijah Wood's past performances, but he is excellent as Frodo - from his facial expressions, to his happy-go-lucky naivete and cheery voice he nails Frodo on every level, and continues to do so as the story progresses. I cannot think of anyone else who could have captured his essence so purely. Ian McKellen is superb as Gandalf, the world-weary wizard, although he is a tad more lighthearted than his character in the book. McKellen shines (literally in at least one scene) in every scene, but his steadfast defiance in his battle against the Balrog sent shivers down neck ("being sniffed by the devil" as my mother used to say) . The scenes between Frodo and Gandalf are amplified by the difference in height between the two which are exaggerated for the film. Outstanding performances abound.
Viggo Mortenson is brilliant as Aragorn the ranger (he literally went native during the film, sleeping in the woods to get into his character), the scruffy warrior/savior with a secret. Liv Tyler is luminous as the almost ethereal female warrior Arwen and her lines, delivered almost exclusively in Elvish (the language was actually constructed for the film) are a melodic singsong. Christopher Lee, the classic Hollywood bad guy, is positively wicked and foreboding as the traitorous Saruman. Ian Holmes' conflicted Bilbo was somewhat tragic to behold, as you could see how his character had been eroded by the dark calling of the ring. The rest of the Fellowship also deliver thoroughly engaging performances. I would be remiss if I neglected to mention the hideous marauding orcs, the monstrously powerful Uruk Hai and the faceless ringwraiths with their hair-raising banshee-like wails which would give nightmares anyone unlucky enough to encounter them (that's if they live to tell about it). The lands of Middle Earth are as integral to the story as are characters that dwell within them and as diverse.
The lush greenery of the Shire with it's warren of hill holes looks so natural that it only follows that hobbits must live there - it is simply beyond question. Likewise, Rivendell and Lothlorien's serene settings are such that only a race as delicate and ageless as the Elves could be their inhabitants - anyone else would soil their purity. Balancing the beauty is the stark, terrifying ugliness of the Mines of Moria, with it's labyrinthine passages, and halls hewn from stone, which have been infested with the loathsome, scurrying creatures in the service of Sauron. The rendering of the scenes is, for lack of a better word, breathtaking. Then there is the netherworld of phantasms that Frodo enters whenever he puts on the ring - both mystical and terrifyingly beautiful. There are however some concerns lurking amongst this perfection.
The overall special effects are extremely well done, so much so, that the few scenes that aren't, notably the caverns of Isengard, and the burial of Boromir, are glaring. I was also curious why several sequences appeared milky and somewhat washed out, much like the look of the fantasy films of the 80's, as I did find it somewhat distracting. Finally, the film does plod on in certain sections, but mercifully only for short segments.
These minor quibbles aside, I would not hesitate to recommend this film to anyone who enjoys good cinema. It is outstanding. Mr. Jackson has done what no one thought he could do - bring a masterpiece of literature to life. Kudos. I only regret that I'll now have to wait another year for the sequel.