The Lord of the Fantasy Movies, part 1

Rating: 9/10 (11 September 2008)

First off: I haven't read the books to this day, and I haven't seen Bakshi's "Lord of the Rings".
Now, I remembered seeing the teaser trailer of the trilogy and not expecting much. I also remember seeing a poster for the "Dungeons and Dragons" movie (avoid that one) and thought maybe that was the movie for the trailers. And later, I stood corrected when I saw the spectacular cardboard announcement for "Fellowship of the Ring". Shortly, I went with my dad to see it.
First off, the prologue is beautiful! You get a summary of the rings, and Sauron's rise, and, then bang!, battle scene. A huge orc army forward the last alliance of men and elves. Stunning! Spectacular! Later the prologue goes a tad too long (consider the movie's total length) but serves as a proper back story so you can understand much of what happens in the actual story. After the prologue, we get the title card. This tells you there's going to be other movies next, (though, how foolish of me, I believed they were separate stories).
The first third of the movie is about Frodo and company trying to find Gandalf and see what happens with the ring. The scenes following are enjoyable and very exciting. We also have the introduction of Strider and Arwen, and, of course, the black hooded eerie dark riders (the Nazgul). To this point, good.
The next third starts off with Frodo arriving to Rivendell, the most beautiful setting in the trilogy. Then, the eponymous Fellowship is formed and so they set to the quest to Mordor to destroy the ring. This section of the movie has my personal favorite sequence of them all, The Bridge of Khazad Dum (both scene and music).
Unfortunately, after Gandalf's death (spoiler, everyone?), you start stretching and lean on another position in your seat. The movie just went too far. The last third of the movie, involving most of the forest parts are the reason why "Fellowship" is my least favorite of the trilogy. This is a cue for me to change channels or turn off the set when I see it on TV. Although much of what happens is thematically important for the next parts, they just go too long. You lose all interest and amusement, mainly the scenes involving Galadriel and also Boromir's breakdown.
There is still action, but it drags even farther than before. And, worst of all, there isn't a real ending. The Fellowship tears apart, the ring isn't destroyed, Frodo is not even near Mordor, nothing's resolved. That makes you feel disappointed, and you almost feel cheated to waste three hours of your life.
Still, the movie proved to be entertaining and fun, and quite engaging with it's colorful characters, it's stunning musical score and, hat's off to the special effects. You leave the theater talking of just how awesome it turned out to be. And it was. Why a 9 rating, do you ask? Well, because even with the first and second acts you're thrilled, the third act kills all of the excitement. So, if you watch it again, and again (as I do), stop watching after Gandalf dies. You won't miss much.
Just as the movie is part of a trilogy, this comment is also part of one. Feel free to read the next one, there's more to come.