masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (20 August 2002)

The varied responses to this movie are a testament to the fact that we project our own internal reality on the world around us.
I always thought it was ridiculous to make high school kids read classic literature. It goes so far over their heads that it probably isn't worthwhile. Tolkein's written work is much the same. I read the story 3 times. First time it was way over my head. Second time it was a boring hack and slash story. Third time it was a soul stirring work of art that stung me deep in the heart and created a feeling that lasted for months afterwards. The story is an intricate examination of the human spirit that leaves you breathless (if you have the eyes to see it).
This is definitely one of the best movies ever made. There is no question about it. It's not like the written story (and it's amazing to me that so many writers were impressed with how well it followed the book- Saruman and Sauron are NOT allies for one thing). But it stands as it's own entity better than I would have ever thought possible. Perhaps we shouldn't judge outright until all three are done.
For people who write negative things about the movie, I assume that they fall into a couple different categories. One is the person who cannot feel, and thinks it is a hack and slash picture with neat scenery. The other is the flatland literalist who can't stop analyzing everything, and picks it apart until it is stripped of all value. These are the people that should not be making evaluations of movies such as this. Not caring much for the movie is fine, but bashing the written work is more self-degrading than anything.