awe inspiring.. a wonderful tribute to the genius of Tolkien.

Rating: 10/10 (18 December 2001)

When you wait years for a film you tend to watch the trailers *too* many times. You read the advanced reviews and your expectations grow. Then you get to the day before you see it, maybe even losing a bit of sleep the night before. You eventually make it to the theatre.. and you're disappointed. You've seen it all before. You wonder what all the fuss was about.
WELL NOT THIS FILM. I film myself struggling for words to describe the superb images in my mind as I look back over what truly is a masterpiece. First of all, the acting is masterful, McKellen revels in his role and everyone fits the bill just nicely. The effects are perfect.. Gandalf's fireworks and the flight from Moria most notably. The sound is the best i've heard in film for years... an enchanting score with stirring sound effects. The screenplay was completely up to the highest scrutiny.. all changes from the novel were absolutely in keeping with the ethos of the book and were never simply changes for the sake of changes.
So overall? 10/10. Bring on The Two Towers. Definitely see this one when it opens on Wednesday.