The Greatest Show on Earth

Rating: 10/10 (4 January 2002)

What I appreciate most about "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" is how, from the very beginning, it sits you down and just starts shamelessly pummeling you with the story of the rings and Middle Earth. There's this cool confidence evident in all of it, like the film is alive and believes in itself.
The opening montage, the prologue that explains the history of the ring, is as good an excuse to not walk into a movie late as there has ever been. What follows is, in terms of modern filmmaking, a revolution. Peter Jackson leaves nothing to chance. He doesn't believe in the saying, 'you can't please everyone.' His first installment of the trilogy makes sure a good time is had by all. It's the ultimate in film entertainment.

"Ring" has the inside track to not only get nominated for the Best Picture Oscar, but to win. Like "Gladiator" last year, "Ring" is the greatest overall achievement in filmmaking of the year. Its only legitimate acting nominee would be Ian McKellen, who deserves a Supporting Role nomination. If not, there is a precedent for films winning BP without any acting nominations. "The Last Emperor" did it in '87. Before that you have to go waaay back to the 50s for "Greatest Show on Earth," "Around the World in 80 Days," and "Gigi" to find others who accomplished this feat. It hasn't happened much, but it could happen again this year.
Grade for "Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring": A