The film will only add to the enjoyment of the books.

Rating: 10/10 (2 January 2002)

After what seemed an endless wait I have finally seen the first installment of the Lord of the Rings, I am a big fan of the book and have followed developments on the production of the film since it was first announced. My expectations were high although I did my best to play them down to avoid disappointment but that really wasn't possible with all the hype surrounding the project.
However it wasn't until I started to watch the film that I realised there is just too much material in Tolkien's original work to be covered in three hours. Instead Peter Jackson has remained faithful to the story but out of necessity omitted some the detail which Tolkien developed over the best part of a lifetime. Therefore elements of the original story are glossed over or ignored and many of the main characters are not introduced and developed in a satisfactory manner.
But while I was aware of these omissions I couldn't help but be drawn in to the fantasy world that this film creates, it is so well realised that I really believed in it. At last we have a film which treats fantasy seriously. It is a wonderful spectacle, a visual feast, the landscape is massive, both beautiful and terrifying which truly brings Middle-Earth to life. The special effects blend in seamlessly and don't overwhelm the picture which is often the case.
The cast is excellent and without a doubt Ian McKellen offers the star performance as Gandalf, you really appreciate that there is more to him than meets the eye. Hopefully we'll get to learn more about the others in the second and third installments.
But above all this is the corrupting power of the ring seducing all who come near it whether they are great or small, powerful or weak, it is a brilliant achievement.
A great story, at times very moving and a wonderful cinematic experience, it's a blast.
This film does not disappoint.