Memorable... But Classic?

Rating: 7/10 (7 February 2002)

One wonders whether the amount of net users in a frenzy after leaving the cinema pushed this to such a high spot in IMDB history. Don't get me wrong, it is a good film... a very good film. I found myself thinking about the film for days afterward - which is usually a good thing. But watching it - it lacked a completeness (and not just because it was the first part of a trilogy). It tended to get lost - chase - pause - chase - pause - chase - pause etc. No build up.
I've not read the Trilogy (only the Hobbit), and can't comment on the book to screen translation, but I question this film's position among the epics and classics of all time, especially when we look back on it in five years.