Not That Fascinating

Rating: 8/10 (21 December 2001)

I have never read Tolkien, but I suspect I will have to quite soon. Since I haven't read the books myself, I cannot say for sure, but I suspect that the focus of the film is a little bit off. I was never completely captured by it. It was greatly entertaining, but I didn't really care that the movie stopped in the middle of the quest. I do not mind waiting one year for the follow-up. My theory is that the film focused on the action scenes and left out much of the magic and the feeling in the book. Chats with Tolkien fans in newsgroups have supported this notion of mine. Also, if the book doesn't provide more fascination than this, then it is strange it became such a giant in the literary world.
Except from the missing feeling that good fantasy should contain, the movie is undoubtedly impressive. It is visually spectacular, and entertaining most of the way. The cast is mostly fabulous. Ian McKellen is of course top notch. Liv Tyler is great for as long as she is on the screen. She could easily have been exploited more. But the unlikely star of the film is Viggo Mortensen. I have never been aware of his talent, but here he shows that he is a star. The problem for me is the lead character. I have never liked Elijah Wood as an actor. He may reflect the book character, but he is not very charismatic on the screen. Fortunately he does not take up too much space, even if he is supposed to be the lead.
My favorite line in the film is when the hostile dwarf says, "No one tosses a dwarf". Very clever.
Lord of the Rings may very well be the big Oscar winner and I will, as usual, shout furiously at the television. It is a very good film, but it won't reach my TOP-10 for the year.
Rating: 8/10