An Amazing Movie with an Amazing Cast!

Rating: 10/10 (21 January 2002)

Quick SYNOPSIS: Bilbo Baggins is eleventy-one, and decides it's time to do what he's "waited far too long" to do. He leaves his home in The Shire for good, and Frodo Baggins, his first and second cousin, inherits all of Bilbo's possessions. There is a mysterious Ring among these... The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is the beginning of the tale of Frodo Baggins and his quest to destroy the One Ring. As the Ringbearer in the Fellowship of nine, Frodo must do what should have been done many years ago... or risk the possible destruction of life in Middle-earth as he has always known it.
My first OPINION: I'm in love with this film! The casting is excellent, and the acting is far, far above-par. The changes are necessary, and for the most part are quite well-done. Also, the music is mind-blowing.

The MUSIC: Forget Moulin Rouge! This is what real film music is. It makes you feel everything. There are glimmers of hope in the worst situations and dissonances in the most appropriate spots. Enya also does a great job with both of her songs for the film. The soundtrack is exceptional, reminiscent of all the greatest themes of Hollywood soundtracks. Yet it manages to be unique, and has a real Middle-earthy feel that allows it to be epic in one moment, and folksy the next.
The CAST: Sir Ian McKellen is intense, and almost frighteningly inspiring as Gandalf the Grey. Elijah Wood plays a very convincing, though not absolutely perfect Frodo Baggins. Christopher Lee gives the audience delightful chills as a perfectly evil Saruman. Sean Astin is an adorable Samwise "Sam" Gamgee, Dominic Monaghan is a wonderfully intuitive Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck, and Billy Boyd is hilarious as Peregrin "Pippin" Took. Viggo Mortensen is simply amazing as Aragorn, though not entirely like the book character. Orlando Bloom and John Rhys-Davies are almost scene-stealing as Legolas and Gimli, respectively. Liv Tyler gives a surprisingly good performance in this film as Arwen, and Cate Blanchett is a beautiful, if slightly exaggerated, Galadriel. Hugo Weaving is a true delight as Elrond, and Sean Bean's portrayal of Boromir is nothing short of spectacular. Sir Ian Holm was often a little too dramatic for my taste as Bilbo Baggins, but was a treat nonetheless. Have I gone on about the cast enough? They're amazing!
Everything ELSE: The scenery is awe-inspiring. It's all just gorgeous (or hideous, in some cases). The costumes are completely appropriate, and very well-made. They really reflect each character's attitude. The makeup is fantastic as well, and deserves and award. The camera work is extremely effective (they deserve an award for the contrast they use in this), and there's more raw emotion than you can shake a stick at. Especially wonderful are the scenes with Saruman, which tend to be jerky and use fast pans and close-ups; scenes in The Shire, which use the natural, beautiful New Zealand light outdoors and great dramatic lighting indoors; and the scenes at Rivendell, which are tinted with a simply magical golden-brown, giving it a nostalgic, aged feel. The special effects are entirely believable (Save one or two shots. SHOTS! Not scenes, shots! Wow!!) and really do add to the experience.
My REVIEW: One word? WOW.
Recommended stuff: Other movies I'd say you might like? Anything epic, really. Try "Gladiator" perhaps, or "The Mummy Returns". I liked those films. For something that will get you emotionally, like this did for me, try "Schindler's List" on for size. For a lighter fantasy romp, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone". As always, I must recommend anything Star Wars. For music, try something nice by John Williams, especially Schindler's List and Star Wars. Also, there's a very nice thing called "The Lord of the Rings: Symphony No. 1" by Johann De Meij. It's a symphony for wind band, written in five movements, and inspired by the novel. Very nice!! READ the novel, of course! And go see the movie with someone!! It's better with a hand to squeeze in the more frightening bits! And it's best seen in a large-screen theater with stadium seating and surround sound. And whatever you do, DON'T GET A DRINK! No potty breaks during this one, or you'll miss out! :-)