and the story has barely even started.....

Rating: 10/10 (19 December 2001)

I had extremely high expectations going into 'The Fellowship of the Ring'. It is absolutely the greatest book I have read, and one of the greatest stories ever told. So to expect something short of it being one of the greatest movies ever made would be foolish. I wanted a film that would blow my mind, and I honestly thought they couldn't do it, and I thought they would disappoint me. When I left the theatre, however, the movie still had a strong hold on me and it is the best thing I have ever seen put on film. I thought my expectations were as high as they could be, and this film easily surpassed them all and took me along for the ride.

First of all, I have to say that Peter Jackson is absolutely brilliant. The direction in this film is astounding. He took what was probably the most difficult book to translate onto the screen and he excelled in a way that I didn't think was possible. The performances he got out of his actors was amazing. Even more amazing were some of the shots in the movie. The cinematography was absolutely amazing. Those of you who thought 'Crouching Tiger' was beautiful, well it doesn't even compare to the awe inspiring scope of this film. The whole sequence in Moria is breathtaking. I don't remember blinking when I was watching it. It is so astounding to watch it that you wonder how it is even possible that they did it. I've never seen anything as amazing as the Moria sequence and I doubt I ever will again.

The acting in the film is also fantastic. I was watching it and I did something I rarely do, I forgot that they were actors. Ian McKellan IS Gandalf. I never saw anything but a powerful wizard. He was so amazing and was how I saw him in my imagination. Elijah Wood IS Frodo. I assume you get the picture. I do have to comment on Viggo Mortensen as Strider and say that he is the absolute perfect choice. I always see Strider(Aragorn)as the ultimate hero, and Viggo captures my expectations in that character and made me believe in him. No one is out of place in this film at all, and Ian Holm is especially great as Bilbo is what portions of the film he is in. The casting director did the perfect job and I couldn't have, in any way, done it better myself.
Lets not forget to talk about the incredible sets and special effects. The Moria set is just astounding. I can't describe it to you, but when you see it, you'll get the picture. Lothlorien was beautiful. Different than what I pictured, but effective all the same. The Shire was perfect. You can tell that they paid careful attention to detail and finely crafted everything. The evil characters in the film were also great. The Nazgul were terrifying. There is really no other way to describe them. What amazed me the most was the Balrog. I had some ideas of how it could have been, but the image they gave me of it was great. I could also tell you how great Mordor looked, and how great the eye looked, and how great the two tower looked, but I won't. You just have to see it all for yourself.
At the end of watching 'The Fellowship of the Ring' a couple of thoughts occurred to me. First of all, it occurred to me that I HAVE to see this film again, and soon. And secondly, it occurred to me that nothing has even happened in the story yet. LOTR is of such a huge scope, and they have just touched upon it. This film absolutely blew my mind, and I am positive that the best it yet to come. That said, I have never in my life seen a film that was as good as this, and as a fan of the books, it was really powerful for me. It was not a film you sit in the theatre and watch, is it something you experience. The film sucked me in and it still has a strong hold over me. It is a very powerful film, one that everybody should see. Greatest story ever, greatest film ever(only until the sequals of course!!!!). Thank you so much Mr.Jackson and everyone else associated with it. And of course, thank you J.R.R. Tolkien. An astounding 10 out of 10, it doesn't get any better than this.