A beautifully filmed rendition of a classic series.

Rating: 10/10 (19 December 2001)

This is perhaps the pinnacle of fantasy movies. Well, shouldn't is be? The series of novels upon which it is based is generally considered to be the greatest fantasy story ever written. To be completely honest, there are many details missing from the movie, but overall, I think Peter Jackson has faithfully recreated the excitement and wonder surrounding the fantasy world of Middle Earth. Any all too relevant scene in the book is included in this film and you will not need to worry about critical parts being excluded as the running time clocks in at about 2 hours 50 minutes.
The wonderment that I first experienced upon reading the novel for the came rushing over me all over again during the opening title. Little have I anticipated a movie premier as much as this one. I even took 4 hours off in the middle of a workday to see it, so there was a lot of expectation riding on this one. I have to tell you, it lived up to the hype and more.
The most incredible camera work gave this movie a real sense of motion. There are a lot of digital SFX, but they are so seamless that you mostly won't realize that it was an effect. The costumes and makeup are top notch. The hobbits even have big hairy feet. The offset perspectives used to make the hobbits appear to be smaller than the rest of the Fellowship is great. There are also some really great panning camera action shots of the Fellowship being fired upon with arrows in the mines. But again, SFX are what the masses want to see, and it provides plenty. The two of the best rendered scenes include the orc battle in the mines and Galadriel's temptation of the ring.
If you liked the series by J.R.R Tolkien, or loved it, you will surely not be disappointed. This is worth every cent you pay for your admission and then some. I think I will go see it again tonight.