The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

Rating: 9/10 (28 December 2001)

Let me get two things perfectly clear before I begin. First, I am NOT nor have I ever been an Elijah Wood fan, second, I am writing this review while HBO is playing "Battlefield Earth." I am aware that I should turn it off while attempting to write an objective review, but alas, I am lazy. Now, onto the good stuff.
I believe I am safe in saying that this movie is setting the standard in terms of what an epic should be. It has a few minor flaws, but nothing that detracts from it's brilliance.
I could go on and on, but chances are, you've already read everything there is to read on this film, so just pointers:
The Good:
1. As I said, I'm not an Elijah Wood fan, but he does a fine job as Frodo.
2. In terms of make-up: Spectacular. I didn't even realize John-Rhys Davies was in the movie until I got home later. Nuf said.
3. Christopher Lee is absolutely the scariest actor on the planet, bar none.
4. I'm glad Viggo Morteson has finally got a good role. Aragorn was always my favorite character. I mean he was ok in 28 days, but this is better.
5. The acting is top-notch. Everyone was really on. I'm going to assume they kept their level of focus throughtout the entire filming.
6. The locations were gorgeous!
The Bad:
1. The fight scenes are absolutely dreadful. It's mostly shot in close-up, like in Gladiator. You never get a feel for psychology (always important to me). However, the visuals are still spectacular. Only a minor drawback here.
2. Can't think of a number two.
The Ugly:
1. Orcs and their cousins
2. Hobbit Feet - Gotta be a source of infection
3. The Balrog - Sweetness! Looked like a mean old cigarette. One of the coolest CGI characters ever. Too bad it was so dark, but it needed to be, I guess. Sigh.
4. The decapitation towards the end. Best fight sequence of the film. But nasty.
A definite winner, on all counts.
**** out of four.