cool, imaginative rollercoaster ride ***ONE BIG SPOILER, I'M AFRAID***

Rating: 9/10 (4 January 2002)

I knew very little of the Tolkien story before seeing this film, I saw it because I enjoy epic adventures, and wasn't disappointed. I was amazed at how well this movie transported me in this unknown world, and weird characters. Without a doubt, it's a beautiful and meticulously created universe. The idea of this all-powerful ring obsessing those who wear it was well conveyed. The special effects and set designs amazed me and dazzled my eyes. Of course there are some flaws. The fight with the first monster (not the squid) in the mines of Moria went on too long, some comic relief moments fell flat with those supposedly funny supporting Hobbits (really could've done without them), the cameo of Agent Smith from THE MATRIX was distracting (the actor playing him, Hugo Weaving, talked and acted the same way), John Rhys-Davies is unrecognizable and wasted as a troll named Gimli. And last but not least, WHY THE HELL DID GANDALF HAVE TO DIE? That really upset me a lot, he was really the most interesting and developed character out of the bunch. I almost lost interest in the proceedings following this event. Oh, I'm sure it also happened in the novel, but DAMN! It felt almost as bad as if they would have killed Han Solo in the first Star Wars movie! Just the same though, this is an awesome and brilliant film, the most dazzling since THE MATRIX. I really was involved in the events onscreen and was never bored or irritated, even though it took three hours. Trust me, this movie feels just as long as a regular two-hour movie. I think that if the adventures had remained as entertaining for ANOTHER three hours, I would have happily remained seated. This is the sign of a really good film. I'm sure every Tolkien fan will enjoy this movie even more than I did, but if you're not, like adventures and don't mind a bit of fantasy, RUN TO WATCH THIS MOVIE! All in all, 9 out of 10.
P.S.: if you remotely dislike fantasy, you might hate this movie, like some people I was with. When I asked them why, they said they just hated movies with fantasy, and hated me for taking them to see it. Just a warning.