Pretty Damn Astounding

Rating: 9/10 (4 January 2011)

A
There are probably those out there who would compare this trilogy of Peter Jackson's to the impact Star Wars had in the 70s and 80s. Some foolishly even say these movies surpass the classic Star Wars film. I maybe in the minority vote, but to me nothing can beat the original trilogy, NOTHING. I even find the second and especially the third prequel but to be quite excellent movies. I think everyone thinks "The Phantom Menace" could've used some work, but there are still many parts in that film I particularly enjoyed, like the choreography of the end three-way lightsaber duel. But enough about the Lord of the Rings vs. Star Wars debate.
Now the casting was primarily well done, Elijah Wood not being too bad an actor and naturally Ian McKellen was superb. Christopher Lee was also pretty solid, and though Orlando Bloom's character was a tad under developed I enjoyed him as well. Did I mention also the talents of Liv Tyler, Sean Bean and Hugo Weaving? And the cinematography was pretty damn good, plenty of amazing sweeping aerial shots, giving us spectacular views of the Tolkien book brought to the life like no one else could. The sets are amazing to boot, relying on more than just CGI thankfully. The score by Howard Shore is one of my favorite fantasy film scores I've ever heard, damn close to the best. It was elegant, dark, heroic, and the use of the chorus was just marvelous.
The Black Riders were probably my favorite image in the movie, that and the Elf-witch going completely insane. There are some pretty twisted shots in the film, to my glee, Jackson knowing just the right angle every time. The story is long and tedious the first time around but after watching it enough times you really do embrace it. The scope of the story-telling is pretty epic, earning its place among my favorite fantasy movies. My only complaint would naturally be those damn Hobbits. Well all right characters, they due to get on my nerve sometimes. The Hobbits in general, in a worse inspiration from the Ewoks, always come off as more funny than dynamic, but hey there's so much going on I can't let that bring the movie down. There are many good action scenes to get us through this three-hour sit down, and very well staged I might add.
It's about time a film did its original source material justice.