ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC, YOU'LL BE GRIPPING THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT!

Rating: Null/10 (4 February 2003)

I have to admit that when the trailers for Lord of the Rings first came out I was a sceptic. I haven't read the books, they just weren't the sort of thing that appealed to me so why would I want to see the film? Surely it would be a waste of three hours of my precious life and if nothing a chance for a quick nap?
I was wrong. The second the movie started I knew I was in for a treat. The eerie darkness captures our attention immediately and Peter Jackson makes sure he has it all the way through.
Elijah Wood puts in a fine performance as a young hobbit turned ringbearer and is well 'accentuated' by fellow hobbits, Merry, Pippin and Sam.

Sean Bean does a great job as a tortured soul trying to fight his growing hunger for the ring. We are conflicted about whether we should love him or hate him.
Viggo Mortensen was OUTSTANDING. The moment he appears on the screen we know that he is going to have a major impact. He portrays Aragorn perfectly, immaculately capturing his inner struggle and belief in the weakness of his race. Before this movie, few people had heard of Viggo but now he's the name on everyone's lips. Definately my favourite character in the trilogy, he has a certain presence that we feel when he appears (see Aragorn throwing open the doors in The Two Towers - so sexy!)and we want to make him believe in himself because we just KNOW that he can do it.
Lots of new faces appear in this movie for example, Orlando Bloom, Dominic Monaghan etc. and they do a good job. Sometimes I felt that Orlando's line were perhaps delivered a bit woodenly and you couldn't always read his feelings through his facial expressions (like Sean and Viggo). However, in the battle scenes he was great.
The Fellowship of the Ring is one of those must see movies. Even if it doesn't appeal to you, you'll be hooked by the end of it. Or at least you can say "I've seen it!".
I would also recommend the extended version DVD as there are tons of extra or extended scenes that develop the characters more and help us to understand them. Not to mention the hours worth of documentaries that are surprisingly ALL interesting!