Very good - but not perfect by any means

Rating: 8/10 (21 December 2001)

OK - so it's good. I don't deny that. It's beautifully put together, well shot, well directed, and really well acted. Viggo Mortensen has been dying to be in a role like this - and makes the most of it. He is the best thing about this movie by some stretch. Elijah Wood's accent grates, but his facial expressions are perfect, while the other hobbits are, to be fair, useless and not funny.
The problem I had with the film was its lack of depth. It felt like one long chase sequence ("Quick, let's make it to the bridge", followed by "Quick, let's make it to the river"). All I ask is that the second and third films don't follow this narrative thread - we've had enough chasing and monsters - give us some story and some dialogue!
I still have to recommend it though - but don't expect it to be as earth-shattering as some are suggesting...
Although Liv Tyler and Cate Blanchett look sent from heaven....