Much Overhyped. Disappointing.

Rating: 5/10 (25 December 2001)

Before you start reading further, I have to confess that I'm not a fan or a Lords of the Rings follower. I'm just an ordinary guy looking out for a good movie to spend my evening, so all you fans have to forgive me if I've committed Blasphemy. Lords of the Rings did not live up to MY expectations. IMHO it's a very ordinary movie if you take out the breathtaking visuals that dot the movie every now and then. Three hours was way too much for a screenplay, which was anything but predictable and was meandering the way it wished with no one single persons storyline. Everyone has a story and the problem is that there are too many people and somewhere down the line we care less about what they're trying to accomplish. Of course the spoiler being that there is no 'ending'. It's OK with me 'cause I know the sequels in line, but what about people who saw it as a single entity. "This isn't funny" was the remark from the guy behind me when "the end" came suddenly and there were more unmentionable remarks too. For people who were patiently watching the movie for more than 180 minutes, it was way beyond anything. It's not like we're watching some TV series, where the wait for the next episode is a short wait. If you've seen Harry Potter already, you're going to hate this movie even more. One thing we get a feeling of Deja vu in a few scenes, another is where Harry Potter won; Lord of the Rings loses badly. It's not without its high point though. LORs has some stunning visuals and well done action sequences, but they come just in time just to keep you from looking for the "Exit" sign. It's a pity that all the hardwork and effort has gone such a waste. I rushed to watch the movie on Christmas day itself since it got a rating of 9.5, even though I knew it would have much to do with 'fans' of "Lord of the Rings". Its ranked No.1 and its hard to digest it after watching the movie and my instinct is its going nosedive out of the top 100 in a matter of just a few more days. I would rate it 5/10.