Worth the long wait.

Rating: 9/10 (28 December 2001)

I waited a lifetime, literally, for this movie to be made. Ever since the first time I read the novels, I knew that it was only a matter of time until this epic was on the screen. I had no idea that I would have to wait so long.
The wait was absolutely worth it. Peter Jackson doesn't skimp at all. The elves look right, the languages feel and sound correct to me, not at all interfering with the "mind's eye" or "mind's ear" that has already shown you the land, the people, and allowed you in some sense to hear the ancient tongues spoken.
This is truly a film worthy of the legacy that J.R.R. Tolkien left us. I do not believe that he would be upset in any important fashion. The acting was, well, spot on. The landscapes were breathtaking, and the whole vision that Jackson is bringing to life is so filled that I now know that nobody else would have done such a wonderful job.
If you love the books, if you love the characters, then this is a must see for you. If you love fantasy, but simply found "The Lord of the Rings" to be too much to consume, then this is the easiest way for you to digest its majesty. And when you get to the novels you'll see that there is more that awaits you. Nobody is disappointed in this excruciatingly faithful adaptation. Even the details, and plot points, that were left out are gone for reason: they detracted from the root of the plot. If it wasn't in the line of the main story, Jackson cut it out.
Cutting out anything from Tolkien is tricky work, but the pruning was left at just the right amount. Amazing.
I sincerely felt that this movie was not the length that it was. But the clocks didn't deceive. It simply moves so well that I still can't imagine how it was done. Usually, unless it is a movie of incredible stature, like "Gandhi" or "Shindler's List," the length would become a detraction. But here it is not. This is proof alone that The Fellowship is a movie of great stature.
There is little that I can add to the great reviews already here, except to give my vote and to tell you this: go see this movie.
But how do I rate it? Will this movie withstand multiple viewings? I believe so. Is it of such quality that it will last as a testament to Peter Jackson and engage Tolkien fans for years to come? I think so. Will all following fantasy movies be measured against this, as the novels are used as the yardstick that fantasy writing is measured with? Probably. Is it cinematic perfection?
No, it is not.
And that is why I cannot, and will not, give this movie a "10" rating. But that should not dissuade you from seeing how absolutely wonderful this is.
As I look at the listing of votes that I have made for various movies, the list is intact and all films are rated to near perfection. Once I leave my vote, I do not change it unless something drastically changes my perception of a film. Anything less is an insult to the film and to anyone who sees the IMDB as a valuable resource.
Up until now, there has been only one movie that is at the pinnacle of the chart, only one film worthy of a "9" rating from me. This is the question before me: is The Fellowship worthy of sharing that spot?
To say "yes" places this movie at, literally, the top of the craft; making it a film that experts will and must debate forever. It must be as good a movie as I could possibly imagine. There can be no flaws that I myself cannot justify in the name of the craft. It must be, by the very definition, the ultimate in achievement, with little room for any improvement. It must be, to me, a Tour de Force of all things cinematic.
To say "no" by no means places this movie in a league of unwelcome company. There are movies that are adored by more than me that I have given an "8". Many movies I have given an "8" to are so good that I could not imagine being without them. Certainly, The Fellowship is in this class, at least. Indeed, once this is available on DVD I will possess it; placing this movie in a class that is by itself valuable: my collection.
So now it comes down to it: "8" or "9".
My vote is "9". Such a good job was done that there is little reason to not give it praise.
I only wonder what I shall do if "The Two Towers" and "The Return of the King" are better by leaps and bounds.