One of the best film adaptations in the history of film making.

Rating: Null/10 (22 November 2002)

I am an avid Tolkien fan. I was concerned about anyone being able to do justice to the rich tapestry of Tolkien's masterpiece particularly in BIG BUDGET Hollywood. I heard that all three films were being made and gave guarded applause to New Line for taking such a chance (a lot of money to spend on a roll of the dice). But then I was then completely convinced that corners were being cut and the story I have loved for years was going to be ruined or at the very least watered down beyond interest. I was mildly pacified when I saw the teaser trailer that came out in 2000. The top-drawer cinematography, music and characters shown in that trailer were encouraging. Dare I hope? It was with sincere trepidation that I walked into the theater back in December 2001. I was fully prepared to hate it, but I was hoping for the best. Tolkien's story made it worth my $10 and 3 hours out of my life to take the risk.
My fears, concerns and trepidations were washed away with the first minute of film (most of which was black with Cate Blanchett's voice over). I relaxed and was totally pulled into this magnificent experience, and what it ride it was/is. This is what movie making is all about. The cinematography, sweeping landscapes, inspiring music, appropriate use of CGI and other movie trick and the attention to detail of every little thing was as if the pages of the book leapt to life. It was easy to believe that I was in Middle Earth. Then came the characters. The casting was dead on all around. The acting was fantastic. These actors were their characters. The dialogue was lifted in spirit if not literally from the pages of Tolkien. The pacing of the story (super speed compared to the book) was gripping. It did not feel like 3 hours and I was sorry to see it end.
All of this is due to Peter Jackson and his team (too many to mention here - just check out the credits) and the foresighted risk that New Line took. Was the adaptation 100% - no - but in some regard it was better in on few small points it was not. But a movie is not a book and as a movie this 3 hours captured on film is fantastic.
I will not speak to the plot or the characters or the fact that EVERYONE I met leaving the theater wanted more. You will get no spoilers from me. This is truly a movie for fans of the story, or fans of fantasy or fans of good vs. evil or fans of really, really good film making. This film will not meet with unanimous approval - you can't please all the people all the time - but I think Tolkien himself would have been more than satisfied with the result.
For me the best part is that I have two more installments to look forward to that will be as high or higher caliber a film. And in this day and age of the oodles and boodles of dreck pouring out of Hollywood, that says a lot.
Mr. Jackson - well done. Thank you.