Justice to Tolkien's imagination

Rating: 9/10 (28 January 2002)

When I went to see the Lord of the Rings , I was in no doubt that I would be disappointed. The book definitely had to be better than the movie , however well made the movie is . 3 times after seeing the movie in the theater I stand corrected.
The movie is an excellent adaptation of the book. It remains very faithful to the book. However there are small changes which I feel are necessary for a taut screenplay.The character of Tom Bombadillo has been avoided and some of the slower parts of the book have been made more exciting , the Nazgul pursue the hobbits more closely , Arwen heads the flight to the ford , the romance between Aragorn and Arwen doesnt blossom so early in the book . Other than these small changes , an amazing adaptation of the book.
Firstly the visuals are breathtaking. The Shire , the mines of Moria , Rivendell and Lothlorien ..brilliantly executed. My favorite is the mines of Moria . The transformation of Isengard from a green meadow to the dark work shops of Saruman is amazing. The cast is competent and everybody lives their roles . Frodo and Gandalf are really good. The make up for the elves is really cool too . Watch out for Legolas with the bow in the last fight.The narration is rivetting and keeps you engrossed.The little bit of history up front, about the 1st war and how Sauron loses his ring is apt and will help people who haven't read the book follow the movie better. Kudos to Peter Jackson and the entire crew. This movie will be "How to write an adapted Screenplay 101 " .
I hope this movie takes it's fair share of Oscars .. Definitely the best trilogy( if the other 2 are as good ) to hit the screens since Star Wars.... I just can't wait for the other two parts... Go ahead see the movie at least a couple of times on the big screen ...