I voted not to bring the average down, but my true feelings rather than immediate passion.

Rating: 8/10 (14 January 2002)

I voted a seven not because there were disappointments for the film, or that I am spiteful of its place on the 250 list. I realized after walking out of the theater that my main problem with "Star Wars: eps. I" and "the Mummy returns" were its inabilities to suspend disbelief and make CGI characters believable. This film, despite the obvious CGI characters, hid it well. Not just because you are willing to suspend you disbelief more, but the technology has finally caught up to that artistic level.
Overall, I finally had my 18-year over due Dungeons and Dragons wet dream. I cannot wait for the next two, and was actually carried away by the story despite its length. This being said, it has to be acknowledged that it was not 'pitch perfect' as some movies can seem (I feel this was about examples such as 'Fight Club', 'Almost Famous', and 'Rushmore'. There was exposition and details repeated too often (there was no doubt Frodo wasn't dead after the Troll attack, we saw Bilbo give him the armor - so why belabor it?) And often the film paced itself like a REAL rollercoaster: interminably slow, whiplash fast, slooooow, fast! and so on.
If you are still reading this, Bravo. I know its long. So in conclusion, can't wait for the next one, beautifully shot, hard to develop characters because we're busy staring at the damn ring, and I laughed when I explained to the dispairing citizens seated behind me after it ended that this was one in a three-year trilogy. Maybe they'll push up #3 to summer 2003...