Finally, a film version worthy of the "Book of the Century"!

Rating: 10/10 (28 January 2002)

At long last we can lay Ralph Bakshi's 1978 version to rest. Here, at last, is the real film version of J.R.R. Tolkien's magnum opus, "The Lord of the Rings". I feel as though I've been amply rewarded for more than thirty years of patiently awaiting a film version I can be proud of.
I think this movie will go down with "The Wizard of Oz" as an all-time fantasy classic. Peter Jackson's skillful direction is very well complemented by brilliant performances, seamless cgi-effects, faithful attention to detail, and the excellent choice of New Zealand as a stand-in for Middle-earth. The opening installment of the Trilogy, "The Fellowship of the Ring" is as clear and brilliant as the Silmarils of Feanor. I found myself riveted to my seat for the entire length of the movie, and I was not alone in my rapture. Every other member of the theater audience was also carried away by this movie. I have no fear about the next two installments. They undoubtedly will be just as good.
There are two factors that make this movie work. First, Peter Jackson knew that he had to make a visual Lord of the Rings, so there were parts of the book that simply had to be cut to keep the audience engaged. Hence, the poetry, music, and extraneous episodes were all jettisoned. In their place, however, was a rich tapestry of sight and sound that gave even a person completely ignorant of Tolkien's work a sense of direction and purpose.
The other factor was the performances of the main characters. This was most important because otherwise we would have had another special-effects laden movie that would have been the cinematic equivalent of a slow boat to China. We find ourselves caring about the main characters in a personal way. The Quest is important, of course, but the other themes of friendship, power, bravery, and the like are manifested in different ways by the major characters, and this gives the story life that special=effects alone can never do.
I've seen the movie three times already, and wouldn't mind one or two more viewings. Of course, it goes without saying that I will get the DVD when it is released, but I am happy that finally, despite Bakshi, despite the refusal of the Tolkien estate to cooperate with Peter Jackson, Tolkien's work is finally getting the treatment it so richly deserves. The moviegoer who sees this film will be amply repaid not only with a work that will entertain him mightily, but will leave him aquiver with anticipation for the sequels.