An amazing film...

Rating: 10/10 (23 December 2001)

This film is more of an experience than merely watching a movie. While not perfect, it outshines anything that has come out of hollywood in a long, long time, probably since "Titanic." You can tell it was a labor of love, again like "Titanic." Ian McKellan as Gandalf was superb, as was Viggo Mortenson as Aragorn and Elijah Wood as Frodo. My only critique is that there seemed to be some things missing due to time constraints. I assume Merry & Pippin were good friends of Frodo, since they were willing to accompany him on his quest, even though this was not clearly established. And it seemed like there was almost too much grotesquerie for my taste. But, overall, an incredible film that is an instant classic. I'm going to try hard not to read "The Two Towers" before next Christmas. Try, I say. And I will definitely be seeing LOTR:FOTR again!