Good movies are good.

Rating: 9/10 (20 December 2001)

Finally, a movie based on material with a huge cult following that doesn't resort to stupid in-jokes. This is one of the first movies in a long time that just tells its story without trying to be hip, or be hugely ironic. Peter Jackson has pulled it off. I was not disappointed, even though I expected to be.
The acting was better than I expected it to be, too. The movie allowed for much more depth in the performances than most adventure movies ever do. Sean Bean's performance is so brilliant, it's a pity he probably won't get any awards for it. It's easy to understand why Peter Jackson wanted Bean for this part. Ian Holm is also great as a Bilbo we have never seen before. He is, at times, a much darker, scarier character than we are used to. Ian McKellen's Gandalf is, of course, great, and Viggo Mortenson does a fine job as Aragorn.
The camera work is stunning, as well. Jackson's horror roots are evident here. The camera rarely stands still, but it is never too much. It is always fluid, and exciting when it needs to be. The battle sequences use some incredible crane shots that make you wonder where the crane could possibly be positioned.
Suffice to say, December 2002 seems like a long way to go.