This movie made me a fan of the books...

Rating: 10/10 (20 October 2002)

I've been a fan of sci-fi and fantasy since the first time I ever picked up a book. But years ago, when I honestly tried to read the LOTR books, I just couldn't get into them. The first book was pondorous and slow and I couldn't get a feel for who was who. Thus, I gave up. And so, when this movie came out, I expected a computer-graphics and cinemegraphic feast, but a plot that would only get the true, long, hard-core fans of the books engaged.
I was totally wrong.
I sat through most of the movie with my mouth open. Literally. The plot is epic, archetypcally epic, and I was astounded by the great sense of scale that the movie conveys. The dialouge, which had once confused and bored me in written form, made much more sense with skilled actors dictating it on screen with emotion and emphasis.
And the eye-candy...sweet gods, the eye candy. The landscape was perfectly chosen, and the cinematography literally the best I have ever seen in a movie. Ever. All the flyover shots and battle-scenes were visionary. The CGI was exquisite, in my expert opinion. When the Balrog came on screen, I sat up in my chair with an open, shocked smile on my face the likes of which I haven't done since I saw Jurassic Park in the theater in 3rd grade. The movie had me totally engaged, and I vivdly remember glancing at my watch half-way in and thinking to myself, "Excellent! We still have another good hour or so to go!"
Afterwards, over Winter Break, I went to the library and checked out the books again. Now the plot made much more sense, as I had mental images of the characters and places. I am anxiously awaiting the next two movies, and am proud to say that I am a Fan.