Tolkiens will love it, but for the rest of the planet there's always Star Wars

Rating: 4/10 (30 December 2001)

I've seen this film twice. The first time was on the preview night and I so hated the film that I wrote this 1000-word review venting why, but it was never posted (probably too offensive to hobbits, elves and dwarves). Anyway saw it again cause of friends wanting to see it, less enthusiastic to slam the movie now as I slept through the middle hour and awoke for the end and got into all the battles. The film was really well cast Gandalf, Frodo, the elves and Strider were excellent. No character development however -- I couldn't tell Boromir and Strider apart the first time I saw the film, and the love scene between Strider and the Liv Tyler elf was ridiculously chaste, as if a cuddly hobbit imagined it while stealing vegetables (hobbits are so troublesome they step on peoples flowers and steal their broccoli). The orcs were wonderfully gruesome and the headless riders were pretty cool. From people I've talked to those that read the books and like role-playing games totally love the movie. If you hate the books you'll probably hate the movie -- Sam does seem to be in love with Frodo. I never read the books so I was just judging the movie on its own merits -- the effects were spectacular but I would have prefered less effects and more acting (especially with that cast!). I would have liked more humour as well (I think the movie has just one good laugh). The way the film ended also seemed too abrupt -- the second time I saw it I understood it better so it was O.K. but you shouldn't need to see a film like this twice to grasp the ending (Empire Strikes Back had a cliffhanger ending but it left you wanting more -- this just made me want to get out of my seat). In general, I thought it was way too faithful to the book (too literal) and lacked a more personal vision. I also hated the score, nostalgic and sentimental whenever Elijah Wood was busy looking earnest and overwhelmed; operatic and grandiose during the endless fight scenes, frenetic action sequences with cuts every couple of eye blinks. Probably won't see the sequels as I have the feeling I'll probably want to punch Frodo in the face by the end.