Such a brilliant movie with such undeserved criticisms

Rating: Null/10 (18 March 2002)

One of the first misconceptions of LOTR is that people either love it or hate it. If that were true, then that would infer that about half the people who saw it loved it and the other half hated it. Well, if the talkbacks and the fact that it's already in the top ten all-time worldwide are any indicators, then it's probably more like 50 % loved it, 30-40 % thought it was OK or good, and then there is the vocal 10% club that detest this movie. I, for one, loved this movie but do not feel anger towards those who hate it because they are not going to change things. In fact I feel sorry for these people almost to a point of pity and embarrassment for them. I teach 4th graders and I know ten year olds who understood this movie better than those who complain of its length or complexity.
Another misconception of this movie is that Peter Jackson did not take a risk in taking on this project. This could not be further from the truth as people have talked about doing this movie for decades but everyone has balked at it thinking it would be impossible. The Beatles approached Stanley Kubrick about doing it thirty years ago, but he said it would be too hard to do. People have described Memento, Beautiful Mind, and Moulin Rouge as much bigger risks- these are all wonderful movies, but to not describe a movie that no one has dared to touch in fifty years as a risk is ludicrous. In fact, most studios wanted to cut it to two movies by splitting Two Towers in half and attaching it to the other two. Peter Jackson had the vision to film all three at once and New Line took a gargantuan risk in funding it- now they have mad nearly $800 million worldwide and I couldn't be happier for them.
Another criticism has been about the ambiguity of the plot and lack of character development- I fail to see either of these two. Aragorn evolves from a mysterious stranger to group leader to heir of Gondor right before our eyes, Frodo evolves from fun-loving, ale drinking, life-loving hobbit to frightened, but willing deliverer to finally accepting the role as a heroic ring-bearer who has to accomplish the mission alone (as Galadriel tells him for those of you who don't like to listen to dialogue). I'll admit the development of some of the others isn't quite as clear as some, but you have to realize that much of that will be revealed in the next two movies.
As far as plot weaknesses- well, this one frustrates me the most when I hear peoples criticisms. Ex: "How come if Sauron is so powerful, it only took a lucky shot from a sword to kill him?" Answer: Pay attention!!! Sauron is not dead- his spirit survives and life force lives through the ring. He represents all that is evil and if he gets the rings back again the chance of defeating him again after he has amassed this army of ultimate evil and gained the allegiance of the wizard Saruman has been all but lost. Ex: "All it is is people fighting, walking for a while, then fighting something bigge r and stronger " Answer: Yes, and all "Jaws" was about was a shark attacking and eating a bunch of people, people talking about how to stop it, and the shark eating some more. See, you can simplify anything if you really want to. Of course, "Jaws" and "LOTR" are about so much more than the aforementioned summaries. If anyone is in doubt about how complex LOTR really is, then I suggest you go to your nearest video store and rent National Geographic's Making Of LOTR. As always, National Geographic does a marvelous job detailing Tolkien's inspirations and experiences in the trenches of WWI where LOTR was born.
Nat. Geo. also points out the fact that he taught himself Finnish just so he could study the Kalebala (near extinct collection of Finnish folk lore set to music) which is where he was inspired to create his language for the elves.
For every criticism about LOTR- the book and the movie- there are dozens of praises from scholars and filmmakers who really are the experts of their crafts. For those who continue to bash LOTR, I only feel sorry for you in that you are missing out on one of the most beautiful works of our time. The detail and love that Tolkien has put into his books and the dedication and hard work that Jackson has shown in the movies have given us something that will be felt throughout the world well into the 21st century and perhaps beyond.