Not So Great

Rating: 4/10 (4 January 2002)

The film is beautifully photographed and well casted. The depiction of the shire is wonderful. BUT, there is broad use of the cheapest kind of emotional manipulation, which is not used in the book; and an abundance of violence, which is not as significant in the book. Overall, I found the film a great disappointment. To my mind, it is not true to the sense of the Trilogy. If you loved the imaginary world of the Trilogy, you might think twice about seeing this film. This film, in the second half, has more the flavor of an overwrought special-effects action picture.