One (movie) to rule them all

Rating: Null/10 (11 January 2002)

When I read somewhere (I think it was Wizard magazine) that a live action movie based on the 'Lord of the Rings' was being planed, the first thing to come to my mind was 'How ever are they going to manage that.? Either this is going to be a huge flop.or the greatest epic ever made.' Well, after seeing the first movie I have to say it came close to the second option.
When I was inside the theatre and during the entire movie, all I wanted to do was cry. Not because of the movie, but because of the shear idea that it was actually done.and might I add, beautifully so. The visuals are amazing, of course, nobody could expect any less, but the story and the whole ambience of the books was very well portrayed as well. The casting was perfect because rather than finding big names to fill the screens, they found 'big' actors.No one could ignore the magnitude of Sir Ian McKellan's Gandalf and the gorgeous innocence of Elijah Wood's Frodo.

I was especially amazed at the way we could see what was it 'inside the ring': it was more that just becoming invisible, it was exactly that other world that the ring invented for itself and the emergence of the bearer's inner self, the confrontation of what you are most afraid to release in fear of corrupting your own morals for the gift of power. It is rarely seen: a motion picture that combines action and depth in such a complete way, you easily find yourself caring for these people (the Brotherhood), and even though I can't personally abide to this, I vehemently believe this occurs even amongst those who haven't read the books. For the rest of us (except for the more purists whom I'm sure will have loads of criticising to do) it's a dream come true.
One could not, EVER, expect this story to be collected in one movie; it would never be possible. Undoubtedly it leaves a bitter taste of 'unfinished business' in you, personally, the wait for next Christmas is the longest I have ever experienced. But it does make sense that this was the chosen way to complete this first movie, because it has to be accessible to every one, not just the legion of Tolkien fans. The death of Boromir is the closing key to the story (even if it only happens in the second book); it gives you the notion that the ending makes sense, but Frodo's and Sam's escape definitely makes you salivate for more. And I am. I doubt this movie will get any of the 'big' Oscars, simply because the Academy doesn't value this kind of thing.but maybe (hopefully) I'm wrong and it will be given it's worth. This one is definitely in my top 5 forever. Maybe it's even the One.