One of the best movies ever made

Rating: 10/10 (2 January 2002)

From the very first frame I was hooked. Starting with an excellent prologue that tells the story of the Ring and how it finally turned up in the hands of Bilbo Baggins. And we´re also told that evil once again is moving, and then we cut to one of the most beautiful pictures I´ve ever seen. Frodo sitting under a tree in the Shire, waiting for Gandalf. So incredibly beautiful.
The tale about the famous Ring has been read by so many, and now the first movie is finally here. It remains pretty faithful to the book, although the whole Tom Bombardill-part has been rightfully cut out. Some characters have also swapped places, everything to the movie´s advantage. It rarely feels slow, and the length is perfect. Luckily, the book´s few women Arwen (Liv Tyler) and Galadriel (Cate Blanchett) have been given more screen-time here.
Peter Jackson certainly did a smart move when he picked his homeland New Zeeland as camping ground for his masterpiece. The country has everything the movie needs and I don´t think I´ve ever seen such beautiful landscapes. Jackson also proves that he is a superb director when it comes to both emotional dialogue and intense action bits.
The casting is probably the best I´ve ever seen, all the actors fit their roles without any flaws. Elijah Wood simply IS Frodo and Sir Ian McKellen sets the tone perfectly for Gandalf. The relatively unknown actors who portrays the other Hobbits are great, and so are old favorites of mine, Viggo Mortensen and Sean Bean as Aragorn respectively Boromir. And there is no doubt that Orlando Bloom will be a superstar, after his awesome turn as cool elf Legolas. But the movie´s most touching performance has to be credited to Ian Holm, as Bilbo Baggins. Perfect casting.
"The Fellowship of the Ring" simply has everything, and if there is any justice in the world it will bag just as many awards at this years Oscars, like "Titanic" did a few years ago. I suggest that the Best Director award should go to Peter Jackson, Best Supporting Actor to Ian Holm, Best Actor to Sir Ian McKellen and, of course, Best Film to the movie itself. I´ve already seen it twice and I can´t wait to see it again. Not only the best movie of 2001, but one of the best I´ve ever seen!
5/5