See this movie!

Rating: 10/10 (20 December 2001)

Everything you dared to hope for and much, much more. As someone new to the story I still found the complex plot a delight to sit through and the three+ hours sail by leaving you needing more more more! The New Zealand photography is consistently stunning and the magical CGI seamlessly integrates leaving you free to enjoy the spectacle without ever descending into hollow awe-driven narrative. The cast is superb, from Elijah Wood's fragile Frodo, to Ian McKellen's spot-on Gandalf and the remaining ensemble genuinely leave you caring for the plight of the nine companions. Never mind that the story itself is so wrapped up in its own cleverness - it works so well and you simply have to see this film. Regarding *that* other film this year, as a fan of both, I will say simply: yes, this *is* better.