A great movie, but it still was lacking...

Rating: 9/10 (22 December 2001)

Let me just state for the record that I have not read the LOTR books, though I really want to. Therefore I have nothing to measure this movie up to (as far as how it relates the books).
Let me start by saying that this was a very good movie. The action sequences were incredible (the fight in the mines was simply fantastic), and the special effects were amazing. I do like the story, the acting was great, and the cinematography was better then expected.
All of this has been said by plenty of people before, so there's no use in rehashing why the movie is good. Therefore, what follows is my critique about its failings.
There are three to be precise. First of all, I did think that the movie dragged on a bit in certain points. I understand that the movie has a lot of background and character development to do, but I found myself shifting in my seat on more then one occasion.
Secondly, I didn't like the way that 9 people could so easily cut through several armies of orcs and goblins. The whole story is built upon how the elves, dwarves, and humans would be toast when Sauron came to power, but they seem to have no problems with the enemy. Just send 20 guys in and they appear to be more then enough to kill thousands of orcs. The Ring Wraiths were turned away by a single human in one encounter, and a single elf in another. That doesn't inspire fear...
Third, the ending leaves a lot to be desired. Why did Frodo decide that he did not want to travel with the Fellowship anymore? How come the ending showed that the Fellowship does not work? It left me thinking that SOME kind of event should have happened. Yes, I know its a trilogy, but so was Star Wars, and they were able to destroy the Death Star in the first movie. Especially since part two is a year away.
With all of those short-comings, I cannot give this movie a rating higher then 7/10. Perhaps the next two will improve this.