Very good!!!

Rating: 10/10 (19 December 2001)

****Some Spoilers***** This review is really intended for people who have seen the film, or have at least read the book. All anyone needs to know who has done neither is to do so A.S.A.P
I have been looking forward to another attempt at a film adaption of the Lord Of The Rings, and I'm not disappointed.
I have followed the gradual seepage of info on this film during it's production with interest and well before its release I was happy with the final casting, the actors seemed to fit the bill well, and guess what, I was right!! (Although I find Liv Tyler a little bland, it didn't matter because Arwen is a relatively sideline character anyway)
Orlando Bloom, as all the reviewers were saying, does ooze style, while Viggo Mortenson, Sean Bean and Ian Mckellen are able to pull off their unusual scripting, typical and appropriate in fantasy films, without ever seeming cheesy. At times McKellen is particularly outstanding. But I found Elijah Wood a real surprise. Not having seen much of his other work I wasn't sure what to expect and I was pleased to see he fits into the role perfectly, progressively showing inner feelings and depth as the character changes during the film. The other Hobbits were sidelined somewhat during this film, Merry and Pippin being used as a bit of comic relief more than anything else, but I expect from what I know having read the books that this will change somewhat in parts II and III, especially for Sean Astin as Sam, displayed rather strongly at the end of the film in a scene where I actually began to shed tears ( yes i felt a little sad at my age but what the hell), the friendship between sam and Frodo will undoubtably be a greater element in the sequels. And Sean even manages to pull of a semi-accurate English country accent to good effect.
Action wise the film excels!! Again a key element is the style in Legolas' use of a bow and arrow, while the swordplay is inde fast and furious, without having to resort to ripping off any Matrix stylee effects as too many films in recent years have done. Despite what another comment says I would very much liken the action to Gladiator, possibly even better. The other strong point is the orc design. There position is more clearly defined in this film than I remember in the book, in terms of what they are and the attention to these and various other creatures beyond their just being the foe adds more fear in their presence, much like the stylistic animation did in the animated film.
Visually the film is stunning, and CGI is used much better here than in most films of recent years that have rendered exotic landscapes for films, perhaps because it seems more sparing, using a lot of genuine New Zealand landscape to keep a real feel to Middle Earth.
If I have any real quibbles(?) with the film,its in minor details. While I expect obvious liberties with plot and story events for the transfer to film, most of which seem acceptable, I wasn't too keen on the representation of scenes in either elf city. The Council of Elrond seemed too vague, all the feeling of real planning and heavy decision making was lost, and Elrond seemed to have too little command of his own council. (also, Arwen should never have stopped the riders when it was a representation of the extent of Elrond's powers within his kingdom). Similarly in Lothlorien Galadriel's part seems redundant of necessity to the story, the meeting seems all too short to convey anything.
Again, one other minor point, although I know this is looking ahead more, but it would have felt better to have had a little more of Gollum in the backstory, and in the nearness and intensity of his pursuit of the ring during the journey of the fellowship. But this all becomes more important when he meets Frodo and Sam in Part II.
Overall though, the action and atmosphere of the film are the most important elements. Here Fellowship of the Ring really succeeds and it is here that people will be truly entertained. While people not really into fantasy might not be as adamant about the films strengths as others, I see no reason why everyone can not appreciate the films entertainment.