Really brings to life a whole world. Incredible.

Rating: 10/10 (20 December 2001)

The acting was superb, the sets and scenery were simply stunning or stunningly simple, the music was apt and well incorporated, the special effects were as amazing as you would expect from such a filmmaker as Peter jackson, who has used CGI very effectively in at least two of his previous films (Heavenly Creatures and The Frighteners), and the story is fascinating and absorbing. The Fellowship of the Ring puts to shame many a fantasy film that has come before, but also has an indescribable flavor of its own and the method of storytelling is as purely entertaining as it is well conceived. Already one of my favorite films of all time, and my only complaint was that at its 3 hour running time it was too short. I like some really long movies and would gladly sit through a 6 hour version of this film. Alas, it is still nearly perfect! Ian McKellen is Gandalf, he's that good. The rest of the cast is fantastic as well. My highest recommendation.