2 more years?

Rating: 10/10 (9 January 2002)

I have to wait two more years to see the rest? I can't possibly wait that long and I hope PJ will give me a private screening.
I was cautiously hopeful when I heard they were making the trilogy into a trilogy of films. I followed the newsgroups and websites through the whole process of pre-production, production and post-production. I stood in line opening night with my heart in my throat. Why? Because these books have been my favorite books as long as I can remember and they are a huge part of my life. I have to say that Peter Jackson and his entire team have far exceeded my expectations.
Of course I was disappointed by the many cuts that were made to the story, but I understand why they did it. Many of my favorite parts of the book are not particularly visually exciting. They did keep some of my favorite dialog (such as Bilbo comparing himself to butter spread over too much bread). What was really important to me was that the movies express accurately the themes of the book. Love, honor, and in particular, duty. As I see it that is the real theme of the book- duty to self, to community, to family, to friends, to the world. And I thought the single minded focus on the ring helped to express the power and terror of that thing.
Most of all, I thank Peter Jackson and his entire cast and crew for giving me a vision of the world. I first read the books at the age of 8, and ever since I have had an 8 year old's vision of the story. What is scary or beautiful or awesome when you are 8 is totally different from what is scary, beautiful or awesome to an adult. I have been stuck with seeing the story on a small-scale and was totally unable to picture battle sequences at all. So, thanks to Jackson, I have been able to see the story through someone elses eyes, through his imagination. And what an imagination it is!