An excellent film; drags on a bit but otherwise phenomenal

Rating: 10/10 (22 August 2002)

This film did for me as an adult what Star Wars did for me as a child. It delivered on every level. Those who didn't like the film can give their reasons; I think that it faithfully (as possible) told the Tolkien story in the proper spirit.
I do agree that some of the dialogue could have been clearer, and that it did drag just a little bit, but Peter Jackson should be commended for delivering a spectacular, moving epic.
I read the books as a child, then as a young adult, and am reading them again now as a 33 year old. The books and the movie work on multiple levels. I must admit I didn't even see the Nine as clearly in my mind's eye as he did. I knew the plot, but when Frodo and the hobbits were cowering under the tree roots I was as scared as anyone else.
Hats off to Peter Jackson and the rest of the LOTR crew. They did a phenomenal job.