Long, boring, and childish

Rating: 2/10 (27 October 2003)

I couldn't even finish watching this film. I am not someone who has read the book, and I generally don't like "fantasy" films. But this one had such good word-of-mouth that I decided to give it a shot.
Sadly, it played out like a film geared towards pre-teens. There were just lots of minor details that were completely lacking common sense. I can "fantasize" and assume that there exists magical rings, a middle earth, and hobbits. That's fine. I can even "believe" that these horsemen are drawn to the ring, sensing its whereabouts regardless of how far away they are. That is, of course, unless they're within 10 feet of the ring. Then, illogically, they can't tell where it is (hiding at the side of the path... sleeping a few rooms over in the inn). Plain stupidity.
Most insulting, I found, was the inclusion of hobbits #3 and 4... the first two hobbits just happen to "bump" into two more hobbits, making their trek across middle-earth painful to watch. If I wanted to watch 4 bumbling idiots trying to stay out of trouble while making a long journey, I'd go rent "Stand By Me" again.
For those of you who have read the books and are fans of the story, maybe you're the ones enjoying the movie. But I think anyone who hasn't already "bought in" to the franchise should just stay away. You've got better things to do with your 3 hours (stare at the sun, pluck out your eyebrows, etc).