Spectacular

Rating: 10/10 (22 December 2001)

Like everyone caught up in the "hype" and anticipation of the biggest film since Episode 1 (maybe even bigger... sorry, Mr. Lukas, but you'd better watch your back!), I raced to the theater for the first showing on the morning of the 19th. When I arrived, the line was stretched out into the parking lot. I spent two hours waiting (my friends were there even longer!) and half an hour in rising expectation in a darkened theatre before the show finally started.

This is absolutely the most visually-impressive films I have ever seen in my life. The cast is incredible -- Ian McKellen as Gandalf in particular (and I'm talking Oscar-worthy material). Cate Blanchett I had my subtle doubts about... but she was absolutely perfect as Galadriel; and young Elijah Woods is given his full acting potential in his role as the once-carefree but suddenly-turned-serious Frodo.
Somehow the scriptwriters manage to bring to the screen the innocent frivolity of Hobbiton in a vivid contrast with the evil forces of Middle Earth and give us an endearing story that will refuse to vacate your imagination even hours -- or days -- later. Visually this film is so utterly divine, like a luxurious breath of fresh air, that it enthralls, delights, and tantalizes the senses not only with its beauty, but also its powerful contrast with evil. The cinematography is incredible; to attempt to describe it would never do the gorgeous panorama justice.

New Zealand *is* Middle Earth with its lush wooded areas and sharp outcroppings of rocks that feed into the sunlit Shire and eventually, the dark mountains. I have never seen this film's likeness in visual effects; the differences between good and evil are only enhanced by the light. The elves, angel-like, are surrounded by a glowing haven of white light; blue in the night. Places dominated by evil -- such as the Caves of Moria and Sauron's tower -- are dark and foreboding, grotesque, chilling.

The special effects only enhance rather than support the story; one never pauses to separate them from reality. Visually, this production is of a stellar quality with no foreseeable seams, nothing to pick apart. It comes like a gorgeously wrapped package; all combined make a truly praiseworthy effort; taken apart, the film could not stand on its own two feet. The acting is not over-emphasized, the score is not over-emphasized, nor are the lighting or special effects; nothing is overly exerted; all is treated equal. And that, my dear reader, is what makes a truly excellent piece of filmmaking.
I have never been with such a captivated audience who cheered, gasped, laughed, and cried together. But by far the most impressive awed silence came with the film's conclusion, before the entire theater broke out into spontaneous, thundering applause. Did the film deserve it? Absolutely. One minor note -- I would hesitate in taking children, as the film does have some graphic violence (albeit not normally gory) and some truly scary moments (if I was terrified, that's a pretty good indication it would freak the little tots out). An excellent first installment to the trilogy, but one that leaves you hanging... and praying that the Christmas of 2002 will dawn soon.