Few complaints, much praise

Rating: Null/10 (19 December 2001)

A friend and I reached a conclusion a few years ago: when critiquing a movie, look at what the filmmakers tried to do.
To me, it looks, and feels, as if Peter Jackson and company are trying to not only bring a fantasy world to life, but the mores and trappings of the characters within. Growing up in this day and age, I've become somewhat jaded and skeptical of hyped-up movies (justifiably I think). So I went into the theater on my guard.
But this movie was money very well spent (my admission AND his budget). I can't imagine the task of Jackson: keeping his vision intact in such a huge production. But he pulls it off with style, and some substance! I felt exhausted after leaving, and I actually felt a couple of tears well up at the end.
To some extent, the eye-popping effects to me made me want to see something cheesy and fake, and I thought a character here or scene there was ill-advised. But hey, I ain't no director. Besides, the pros very much outweigh the cons in my opinion.
It seems to me Jackson set his sights so high they seem unattainable. But I could care less. It may be a big production, but it doesn't feel empty, forced or devoid of emotion. It is not a fleeting blockbuster, it is an epic in many respect and it earns that title. It was exciting AND eye-opening.
Some differences from summer-blockbuster fare: absence of insipid romantic subplots (there is one here but is not simply useless cheese), some character development, solid acting and photography that helps the mood that the director is trying to create! Cool.
I've never read any of the Rings series, and those who have said some things were left out. That tells me that Jackson, unlike Harry Potter director Chris Columbus, saw the distinction that a movie and a book are really two different things.
The movie takes advantage of many elements to enhance the experience, and that is to be applauded. I have my favorite scenes or characters here or there, but I feel they are irrelevant to the point I'm trying to make, which is: Good job Jackson and company. You've made a hell of a movie. Wow. I want to see the next one.