see it - then see it again!

Rating: 10/10 (21 December 2001)

what can i say that hasn't been said? I'll try - it made the star wars 2 trailer on before it look awful, the first star wars 'epic' ws more of a memory of a bad star trek episode. LOTR had almost perfect casting (poor liv tries her best), perfect effects and design, a fine telling of the tale and for the sheer drama nothing tops it since i saw Magnolia. The sense of awe and wonderment of the hobbits, the tension and sense of threat from the utterly evil creatures were truly horrifying. Christopher and Ian as evil/good wizards WERE their characters, in fact once on screen the sense of character was overwhelming and you really grew to care for them - Sean Bean hit a personal best in this movie. The scenery was astonishing - it was impossible to tell where New Zealand ended and the effects began - they were flawless and no matter the scale of the statues or castles, never lost a sense of solidity, and each long shot drew an astonished breath. Finally where most films featuring fx creatures fail miserably, the creatures in LOTR were truly novel, with a sense of purpose and the fights were very strong on drama and tension, the threat to the characters felt real and emotional and even if I cannot recall half of what i might have read as a boy of the novel, Jackson has surpassed what I expected of a fantasy movie. A superb movie going experience, one for the first time I want to see again - and am willing to pay at the cinema to do so to get the full big screen effect once more. For sheer spectacle this beats Gladiator, beats Saving Private Ryan, Star Wars is lost to memory and fantasy is the king.I had faith that Peter Jackson would be honest in his story telling and give good cinema, but he really surpassed my expectations of a movie - this intelligent movie makes Hollywood look like an inbred idiot with a camera, producing trashy moneyspinners while the independents STILL create wonders, before Hollywood tries to water them down. Hopefully Jackson stays in New Zealand and continues to amaze us all - and for the next few years I think we will be. Thanks Peter!