The most anticipated movie of all time?

Rating: 10/10 (19 December 2001)

20+ years of longing for it to be made... 2+ years of anticipation of its release once I learned it was being made... The trailers... The hype... The TV ads... The makings of...
One question is on everyone's lips. Does the Fellowship of the Ring meet it's expectations? To put it bluntly...
No. It exceeds them.
Words cannot do justice to how I felt walking out of the theater last night. I wanted to run back in and see it again. Peter Jackson has captured the very essence of Tolkien's vision and placed it on the silver screen for all to revel in.
The sets and scenery were simply breathtaking. For three hours I did not just view the events that transpired in Middle Earth, but were a part of them. I felt as if I was actually there. The Shire was warm and cozy. Isengard was grim and sinister. Rivendell was beautiful and serene. The Mines of Moira were dark and foreboding. Lothlorien was ethereal and majestic. The world was alive.
The characters were dead on. Every single one of them.
From Frodo to Aragorn. From Gandalf all the way down to Merry and Pipen. All exactly how I pictured them. Not only were the leads all superb, the supporting cast was every bit as amazing, Saruman and Galadriel especially. Yes there is the controversy of the Arwen character and her increased role in the movie. It is negligible. The put her in one scene that should have been another character and she had an extra scene in Rivendell which I do not remember ever happening in the book, but added so much more depth to the Aragorn character, it was easily overlooked as a discrepancy.
The script was outstanding. Obviously parts of the book are left out. All the most important parts are there and while the dialog may not always be word for word (it is in some very crucial parts though) the actual events were all as I remember them.
For three hours I lived in Tolkien's dream. I was reminded that even the smallest person, has it within himself to stand up to the greatest evil imaginable. That even the simplest person has it within himself to do the most heroic and courageous deeds.
I cannot recommend this movie enough. Thumbs up. Four Stars. 10 out of 10. A+. Three of the most magical and enthralling hours I have ever spent in a theater. The only downer is having to wait a whole year for The Two Towers.
Whether you have read the books or not. Whether you like epic fantasy or not, do yourself a favor and see this film.