Maybe not the best film ever...

Rating: 10/10 (15 January 2002)

This was certainly the best film of the year.
Like others before me, I will refrain from gushing at a movie which I will be taking the unprecedented step of going to see for the third time at the theatre this Thursday. So, here are the good points and the bad points. The good points outweigh the bad points by orders of magnitude.
Good:
1. It tells the story faithfully even if it departs from complete accuracy.
2. Great acting, especially by Elijah Woods and Ian McKellen.
3. Immense and beautiful scenery, sets and visual effects.
4. Captures, with few exceptions, Tolkien's characters.
5. Appeals to those who have read the book and those who haven't alike.
6. It keeps your attention for the full three hours which is an impressive feat!
Bad:
1. Weathertop scene was disappointing.
2. Gimli's character was underdeveloped and a bit cardboard.
3. Lothlorien passage was incomplete and confusing and Galadriel came across wrong.
In summary? Go and see this movie. Even if you don't like it as much as 90% of the rest of us, you'll never forgive yourself if you miss it. I think it will become a true movie classic of the likes of Ben Hur.
P.S. At one of the sittings, a 6 year old kid in front of me had to be taken out because he was so scared of the black riders. I don't think it's appropriate for kids under 8.