Astounding

Rating: 9/10 (24 February 2002)

I intentionally waited until I had a chance to see this movie for a second time before rating/commenting on it -- my first viewing left me with such a jumble of impressions that I wanted time to sort them out and gain some persepctive.
Let me first say that this movie did not change my life -- I am neither taller, smarter, nor better looking for having seen it. And in fact I can not even in good faith give this movie a "10" because it DID have flaws (some over the top effects as the ring tempted people, some scenes and sequences and characters which felt rushed and not fully developed despite the movie's three-hour running time, the (entirely necessary) lack of a true climax/ending etc.). But with all of that said, make no doubt that this is an absolutely astounding movie -- probably one of the most remarkable things ever to appear on film. There are a handful of scenes in this movie that are not only jaw-dropping, they are so absolutely perfect that it brings tears to your eyes. And the sheer scope of the project, its incredible imagination, stunning special effects, and just as critically, a series of casting choices and performances which could hardly have been better, make this not only easily the best fantasy film ever made, but a movie destined (likely with its sequels) to go down as one of those cultural milestones people will still be talking about in 20 years. Its that good.

P.S. Kindly ignore the small minority of people who felt compelled to give this movie a "1". For anyone who has humiliated themselves in this fashion, allow me to suggest a couple of titles: "Hercules in New York" and "Santa Claus with Muscles". Watch them, and then answer me this question -- if LOTR is a "1", what on earth are these films?