An amazing epic with fantastic visuals.

Rating: 10/10 (7 January 2002)

Peter Jacksons adaption of JRR Tolkien's classic book (which I've read once and liked a lot - although I wouldn't read it again) is an amazing movie. Jackson made all the right choices adapting this baby, for example cutting out that lumberjack fellow who would only have slowed down the already leisurly moving picture. The Kiwi director showed an amazing visual imagination that matches Tolkiens descripitive style. He also added a very unique lighting, some lights seem to come out of nowhere but the images they create are all timeless - and worthy of the fantasy genre. Jackson mixed this stylized approach with down-to-earth imagery (dirty fingernails, lots of mud) to create a fantastic collection of images that can only be described as astonishing. One just always has to remember that this is Jacksons imagination of Tolkien - it might not be our own. I for one had a slightly different idea of Wheathertop but hey, that's of no importance, is it?
I look at what's on screen and am just amazed. The movie, as a film and as an adaption, was everything I wanted it to be: Epic, dark, violent, long. Some people I've talked to said it lacked a hero. Well this isn't "Star Wars" (this isn't a rant - "The Empire Strikes Back" is my favorite movie of all time), this is fantasy, this is Tolkien, this is the story of a hobbit who doesn't want to be a hero. That's the emotional core of the movie - and it works, especailly because Elijah Wood is surrounded by such great actors as Ian McKellen, Christopher Lee and newcomer Orlando Bloom who made quite an impression on me. I've never seen anyone charge an arrow that quickly. Amazing.
Final words? Great entry into a great trilogy. The "Moira"-scenes are something of the best I've ever seen on screen. Those complaining that it's too long suffer from attention deficit disorder: These three hours are worth every second, just look at the screen and enjoy this new world. It's my tie-in for best movie of the year (with "Amélie") and I salute you, Peter Jackson.
Rating: 10/10