As close to perfection as can be expected

Rating: Null/10 (17 January 2002)

So here it is. "The Lord of the Rings" is upon us and what else can I say. Lover of the book, haven't read the books, don't care for the genre, it doesn't matter. This is a great film. Fantastic performances, some of the most stunning visuals ever put to film, and inventive details to the story. Go ahead and label me a nerd who loves and knows the books well and I'll not deny it. Also, label me a cynic as to the casting before this film hit theaters. But I stand wholly corrected. Ever since I saw "The Prophecy" and "Crimson Tide" I knew Viggo Mortenson was an astoundingly gifted man but he brings something new to Aragorn that I never saw in the reading. The aspect of shame in his past due to Isildur was not really in the book but this is a valid nuance for a beginning. I look forward to seeing the culmination of his performance. Some of the other new facets: A really good look at Sauron, the explanation of the spawning of the Uruk-hai, and some character tweaking in comparison to the novels didn't go so smooth with me at first. But there are two more films to come. Dear Lord, why can't Christmas come thrice a year? Well done Mr. Jackson and company!