An adaptation worthy of every success it achieves.

Rating: 8/10 (20 December 2001)

While I don't believe that a motion picture could ever do complete justice to Tolkien's work of sheer genius and live up to one's expectations totally, I can say that I came away more than satisfied that the movie is worthy of every success it achieves.
Perhaps the main concern I have is that, while it could not possibly have been done in less than its three hour duration, too much was packed into too short a period. But, in rating the film, I really cannot find enough fault to afford less than the highest rating.
The choice of cast was superb; Ian McKellen fitted the role of Gandalf perfectly, as did Viggo Mortensen in that of Aragorn.
I was impressed and surprised with the quality of the special effects employed; almost always they are so unrealistic they detract from a film, but here they were used wisely and complemented the story well.
I can't help but wonder whether my interest in The Lord of the Rings would have been greater had I not already been familiar with the trilogy. Bring on the next two films!