brilliantly brought to life, but . . .

Rating: 9/10 (19 December 2001)

I must say that this work of cinema is nothing short of brilliance, but I also must say I am somewhat . . . disappointed. Though the movie does beautifully bring to life the characters, places and story of Tolkien, I cannot say that I am 100% satisfied with it. I feel, as a whole, the film is much, much darker than the books themselves. Honestly, what film has ever been made that is better than the book? It's simply not possible -- the image in ours minds will never transpose to the screen, I don't care how far technology has brought us. I feel director Jackson's vision of the books is not completely what Tolkien envisioned. The first novel, however perilous, was not as dark as the film came to be. There is a very gradual build in the books, and truly all three should be read as one novel. I feel the film jumps too quickly into the thrills and fights and narrow escapes. About one third of the first book of the trilogy is, (to some), painfully descriptive and slow to action, but I feel that was Tolkien's intention to make all the coming action all the more exciting when the reader gets there. Jackson jumps too quickly into it, I feel.
On the other hand, I DO agree with some of Jackson's choices. I completely agree with his choice to make Arwen (Liv Tyler) a larger player in the activities -- in the books she mostly remains in the background. Also, touching on Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) and Arwen's love story was also a good choice. But, most of all, I DON'T agree with Jackson's vision of Lothlorien. In the film, it was a dark place, however good it is supposed to be, and Galadriel seems too distant and even malicious in the film. In the book, Lorien was much brighter and happier, and Galadriel was wiser and more of a character. Though Cate Blanchett plays her beautifully, I feel her character is too, for lack of a better word, creepy. The same goes for Rivendell -- there is not enough happiness in either place. As an audience member in the movie theater, I don't feel like there are many things in Middle Earth worth saving! All in all, I feel the movie is darker than what Tolkien saw.
In closing, I would say I am content, as it is a beautiful piece of cinema, but not satisfied with the film, with my knowledge of the books.