Best fantasy film yet - Absolutely!

Rating: 10/10 (6 January 2002)

I am normally an (avid) film watcher, not an ersatz reviewer, but having read other reviews/comments on the IMDB, I felt that I had to air an opinion, too!
Firstly, I loved the film. It is the best presentation of a fantasy story ever brought to the screen, and I am counting the days until the next film.
Yes, it's not a word for word translation of the book. Yes, there are flaws - (the only major one being IMO the frenetic pacing) - but come on people, film and literature are two totally different media, and deserve to be treated as such.
I have been a Tolkien reader from the age of 7, and was terrified that this adaptation would ruin my cherished feelings for the book.
It didn't. The film is a beautiful adaptation, and much credit to all involved in the production.
It certainly exceeded my wildest expectations - amazing casting, (particularly the two Sir Ians, Elijah Wood and Viggo Mortensen) cinematography, FX, the list goes on. I thought it was an inspired and inspiring film, and deserves those 10/10 in my opinion.
Its only flaws- for me - were a rushed feel to the second half of the film and lack of proper introductions for the non hobbit/human members of the fellowship - but these are minor niggles in a film I have now enjoyed seeing twice - oddly, for me it actually felt substantially shorter second time round.

A lot of comment has gone into the fact that it is currently on the top of the IMDB "chart". Why are people so upset by this? If it is the truly great film that devotees (including me) believe it to be, then it will stay there, if it is only "hype", then it will slip.
Why all the vitriol?
I agree that there are other great films, but for me, at least, The Godfather would be struggling to be in the top 10. Everyone's entitled to their own opinions...
In summary - for me this was not only the greatest fantasy film yet, but also a fantastic, beautiful and persuasive visualisation of Middle Earth. The Two Towers beckon...!