EPIC, ENDEARING, ENTHRALLING AND UNBALANCED!*some spoilers*

Rating: Null/10 (28 December 2001)

People who have read the books - People who haven't - This will make a huge difference in how this most anticipated film will be perceived - honestly - 75% of this films target market is the non-reader and 25% the reader - Putting this epic tale on to celluloid was always going to be quote "walking on the edge of a knife - sway an inch either way and this could fail" I was quite suprised peter jackson placed so much importance on CGI and special effects and neglected the all so important character development that was crucial to "believing this world existed" PJ could of quite easily done away with 50% of the orc/urak kai Isenguard scenes involving tree felling and urak births, and developed the extremely vital "council of elrond" scenes. *Please note: I will mention the flaws breifly then move on to the good bits, and there are many (good bits) so bear with me) ** 1) They could have been alot more imaginitive with the title sequence, very small flaw but its the small things that really count, aleast a little imagination in this department would have gone a long way **2) serious character undevelopment for non-readers: people were trying to figure out who the hell the other races were and why would they throw away there lives at a whim and a snap judgement ie gimil,borimir,legolas etc. **3) Hugo weaving mmm elrond smith? believable when he didn't speak, but when he said " I shall name you the fellowship of the ring" I almost spat my cola all over the guy in front of me, contrived and very odd! **4) the transition from rivendell to lothlorien, lightning speed, what the? how the hell did they manage to do this so quick, galadrial wigging out? over the top and very odd * all in all I realize its impossible to make a perfect film, but it is surprising some of the crucial character building was replaced by massive cgi effects, unbalanced and hopefully PJ will get it right in the next two films...........hopefully!
Now the good stuff - still I was left with my mouth left wide open on many occasion, I will see this film several times and to see 'gollum' realized on screen along with the balrog, cave trolls orcs and gandalf was an honest to god treat, the score was well placed, if not a little too quirky in places for my liking, but none the less solid. The direction was tight, effects astounding and the acting brilliant (in places). It would of taken just one or two cast changes and a screenplay nip & tuck here and there and this would of been the films of films - I give it 9.3 out of ten - see this film - It won't change life on earth, but for 3 hours you will be transported in to middle earth and you'll forget all your daily toils in this existence.....May the stars shine upon all your faces......JP