Jackson conned NewLine out of $400million - thank God!

Rating: 10/10 (21 December 2001)

Saw this with the wife last night. I will definitely be going back to see it again. There are three things I usually expect from a film such as this : a story, good acting, and visual spectacle. Let me first say that this was probably one of the most visually stunning films I have ever seen. Now let me qualify it by saying that from the three factors(visual,plot and acting), the directing was for me less impressive than the other two. Peter Jackson has coaxed some stunning performances from otherwise ordinary actors. I haven't even started talking about the great actors. Was that really Liv Tyler as Arwen, or did they somehow hire some elf maid from the undying lands across the sea? I want to see more and I don't care what the purists think. Hell, they could cast her as Luthien if they ever plan to make the Silmarillian. Cate Blanchet was also brilliant. You good see the pride and wisdom of the high elves shine through. Fantastic! Overall nothing less than 10/10 will suffice although the picture is indeed incomplete and I would like to rate all 3 episodes as one film. Now Finally theres just one problem although it doesn't bother me. My wife will not see this film again in a hurry specifically because of the ugliness and brutality of some of the darker scenes. She found the orcs too disgusting to bear- not that I minded. This may however be a problem for the producers as I can see a large section of the population staying away. Therefore I'm pretty sure that this is not a film to break records, although it will definitely recuperate the expense. If they had made the Orcs and co. a bit less gross, then they may have had the super "star Wars" beating hit they were hoping for. Anyway I'm just glad that the films have been made now, so theres no turning back. In years to come this film will standout as one of the alltime classics. Good work Jackson.