This really is something special

Rating: 9/10 (21 November 2002)

Let me start by saying that I've never read the books. During my childhood I belonged to the legion that read the works of Tolkien's friend and rival, C S Lewis and the Narnia Chronicles. They got my imaginative juices flowing and I stepped over Tolkien's work. The films came out and I had been aware of Peter Jackson's work but with all the furore and lack of money at the time I held back from seeing it for at least two months. Eventually I watched it, enjoyed it but it didn't set me on fire. My favourite scene, Boromir's last stand, lingered in my mind and over time the desire to see it again grew. The DVD came out and I looked forward to sitting down with my to brother (who had not seen it) to watch again.
Wow ! 2nd time around this thing blew my mind. Whether it was because I then knew the story and could enjoy the characters and appreciate everything else I don't know but it just rocked my world. I was like a love sick pup with a constant smile on my face enjoying every scene. I tell you this tale to qualify my praise and make clear that I wasn't a tolkien fan from the start.
Peter Jackson has opened my eyes to this world. I don't know how faithful he's been (and I don't really care) but you can tell from the passion involved and the love heaped on this film that he takes it seriously and is not out to make a fast hollywood buck. I purchased the normal DVD and recently got the extended version which is even more fantastic. I don't feel cheated and owning both is worth every penny.
The film itself is great. The characters are rich and full, well written and well acted. I can't really say I have a favourite but Gimli definetly comes out better in the extended version and I am looking forward to seeing his developing friendship with the others and his painfully sweet adoration of Galadriel. The relationship between Boromir and Aragorn is very well played, again displaying real depth and makes Boromir's sacrifice and Aragorn's renewed faith in man all the more powerful. In fact the film deals with the whole range of human emotions and knowing that they will be developed even more over the course of the next two films just warms your heart. The action scenes are great and with real time invested in the characters you feel all the more tense and involved. The world Jackson has created is lush and wonderful with special effects serving and enhancing but NOT dominating the story. The musical score is perfection, complimenting the film at every turn. Indeed my favourite scene with Boromir owes much of it's brilliance to the beautiful music that accompanies it. I am wrapped up in this world and although desperate to see the next two am also slowly savouring the whole heady experience. For those that haven't got it I cannot recommend the extended version enough, it takes what you love and just adds more.
In summary this film is a joy to watch and Peter Jackson's direction and story telling is assured and confident. For the first time ever I'm preparing myself to enter a theatre and observe two films without any thoughts of whether I could have done it better. I have total confidence in Peter to deliver what I need to see and knowing his cast & crew's passion for the project I know they will deliver. It took me time to appreciate this beauty and elevate it to my favourite all time film but sometimes you have to step back and look again to observe real genius.