Too much hype, too over the top, too bad.

Rating: 1/10 (23 December 2001)

I am not a big fantasy fan to begin with, but this was just insulting! I have to give due credit to the cinematography, direction, and graphics. I never read the books by Tolkien, so maybe I don't understand the intricacies and subtleties of the plot. It seemed so over the top. We are faced with an "evil spirit" who wants to take over the world and enslave humanity yada yada yada . The pure, innocent, and virtuous Hobbit Frodo must take upon the great burden of saving the universe, etc. etc. No one ever dies. Rather, their "spirit enters the land of dark shadows" (or some other such nonsensical cliche). Why can't I get some characters I can relate to? Are all the good guys perfect and all the bad guys completely evil? Personally, I would STRONGLY consider joining the "dark side" (or whatever they call it) and not because I am evil, or week, but because I don't really care to battle the unstoppable forces of darkness. Maybe that's just me. But all we get from Frodo is a bunch of thoughtless cries for pity. How about presenting the viewer with some sort of moral dilemma? "Why me" he whines several times throughout the movie. "Because it is meant to be" explains Gandolph. Well then I will bet you 10 bucks that it's also meant to be that Frodo succeeds (or fails, whatever). Then why am I being subjected to this onslaught of random villains and motive-less characters? I was rolling my eyes half the time, but the end (or lack thereof) only further angered me. I sat through three hours of this and all I get is THAT? I suppose that was "meant to be" as well.