An overall, nicely done film.

Rating: Null/10 (28 January 2002)

I have read all 6 books of "The Lord of the Rings" (except the 7th book which is the appendices) and all I can say is they are GREAT and the best books I have ever read!!!!!!! I actually should say BOOK because in its entirety this truly is just ONE story and let me remind you people it is NOT a trilogy!!!!!!! Those who have read the books will understand and realise that! Even Tolkien himself said how he was annoyed at how people began to call it a trilogy. Of course the movies make it look-out to be like one but it isn't. I plan on reading "The Hobbit" after (yeah I know its suppose to take place before and one should read it first) and think it might be very interesting. What I liked about Tolkiens work was how you do not have to read "The Hobbit" to understand what's going on in "The Lord of the Rings". They pretty much are two very different stories and what one has to remember is "The Hobbit" is a PRELUDE and NOT a PREQUEL for "The Lord of the Rings" that we must understand. Well Peter Jackson's movie was very well done and most of the actors were more than perfect for the parts. I personally enjoy how i pictured the characters and the realm of Middle-Earth much better than the movie but I think that's how it has always been. This movie did lack some character development: Merry and Pippin did not seem to have much film time. That bothered me cause if you have read the books you should know that these two become very important characters! But we will have to wait and see with that one. This next one bothered me the MOST and many other Tolkien fans who have READ the book. Why did they leave out the great Tom Bombadil, AGAIN!!!???? One would of thought they would of learned the big mistake Ralph Bashki's 1978 version of the story made!!!! I know some people do not see him necessary to the story but I certainly do. Even though he was not in the book long or was a major character, in my opinion if it wasn't for him the hobbits would of never made it out of the "Old Forest", never got the courage or spirits needed to complete the quest, and never gotten the swords they posessed! But whatever at least the "cave trolls" weren't left out. Another thing that really bothered me was when Frodo get's stabbed by the Ringwraiths, it is GLORFINDEL who rescues them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is NOT Legolas (1978 version) and it is NOT ARWEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why can't you people get that straight!!!!??????? And why didn't Frodo get to do his famous song at "The Prancing Pony"!!!????? That was one of my favourite parts on the '78 film and they left it out, and Butterbur's character was reduced enormously of course. Why did they leave out some of the best characters?? Sometimes I even wonder if Peter Jackson even bothered reading the first of the 6 books by Tolkien! But then the movie did have some good acting and suspense through-it. If you see this movie and let it be on its own you will enjoy it and think its very good. Because it does have some great scenery and a good story line, the orcs, and other foes are superb! I love the Ringwraiths!!!!!! So overall this is a nicely done film, but if you start comparing it to the books you might be disapointed. The movie just didn't seem to capture all the feeling and spirituality as the book did. The movie based its success on many unnecessary battle scenes and sex appeal (even though I don't truly hate that!) which was done by the beautiful Liv Tyler. I don't care if she brought that appeal when it's suppose to be done, just not in the forest when it was suppose to be another elf helping them. This in my opinion ruined a bit of the story! I can't wait till the second film and am looking forward to it but now usually knowing how things are I am not as hopefull as I was before I saw Peter Jackson's film. But I recomend this movie and it is worth a see! Just try not to compare it too much with the books!!!!! I would of gladly given this movie a 9/10, but because of its simple, but yet important, flaws i give it a 7/10. They shouldn't of been dumb enough to let the same mistakes happen twice! But overall good film.