Tolkien was wrong, his books ARE filmable!

Rating: 10/10 (18 February 2002)

I've seen The Fellowship four times now, and each time it feels like the first. This movie never gets boring! A few people I know say the movie was too long. I told them there was no way to fit all the details into the movie. The characters were wonderful; the studios really found a gem in Orlando Bloom. They couldn't have picked a better person for Aragorn. He has the kingly appearance, but also that of a loner, or ranger. I love they way Aragorn was so mysterious. I felt a little bad for Sean Astin. In order for him to get the role for Sam, he had to gain thirty pounds. Frodo was well picked too. I've always thought Elijah Wood was really cute, and he played his part so well.
One of the things I like most was the scene with Frodo and Arwen when they're riding to Rivendell. The way Tolkien had it, Frodo was alone on the horse and an elf was telling it what to do. I ride horses, and it is very difficult to jump and dodge around things. It is impossible if you're not feeling 110%. I mean, Frodo was practically dying, and people expect him to ride a horse alone?
I cried every time Boromir died except the first. The first time I was like: "Serves him right. He was an idiot anyway." But then I saw it a second time, and I realized he wasn't a horrible person, he was just mislead and he wanted the best for his people. He only wanted to save Gondor. It was so touching I just cried, and then my friends laughed at me.
Here's some more Book vs. Movie: In the book, everything goes very slowly, and Tolkien makes a big deal about how Frodo often wandered about the countryside alone. But my question is, why did Frodo have to ask how far the nearest crossing was? Tolkien never mentioned anything about Merry wandering around. In the book, Frodo's thirty-three when he gets the ring, and he doesn't go on his journey until he's fifty. It wasn't a snap-snap quick job either, everything was planned out. I think this is one of the only cases where I liked the movie better than the book.
The only criticism I have about this whole Lord of the Rings thing isn't even about the movie, it's about the soundtrack. I love the violins playing when the words "The Lord of the Rings" comes on. It's really beautiful. That tune is throughout the movie, when the scene comes on with Bilbo finding the ring, when they're rowing down the great river, and in a scene after that. Those are only some of the scenes, I don't remember all of them. But the soundtrack only plays that tune once during the whole cd. It made me very angry. I hope they come up with another soundtrack, because this one was poorly made. The times weren't on it (how long each song takes), and the entire time wasn't written on it either.
This movie was wonderfully made, and I can't wait for The Two Towers to come out. But until then, I'll continue going to see The Fellowship. Did anyone pick up on the fact that The Two Towers comes out to theatres exactly one day before a year after The Fellowship?