ultimate fantasy/adventure w/o excessive morality and unwanted humour

Rating: Null/10 (20 December 2001)

I haven't read any of Tolkien's books, but I guess he couldn't be disappointed by this exhilarating (this is one of the few films that really deserve that word) craftmanship. Peter Jackson (Heavenly Creatures, Braindead) confirms with LOTR1 that he can entertain audiences w/o excessive morality or annoying humour (not that any of his other films fail at that) and seamless sews the climaxes, violence and serenity together. Cinematographer Andrew Lesnie (Mad Max 2, Babe) knows how to handle Jackson's (virtually impossible) dynamic camera fantasies and keeps it far more aestethic than e.g. Indiana Jones (another exhilarating adventure) at the same time, w/o being groundbreaking and w/o christmas messages (except something like: 'use the time that was given to you wisely').
The film shouldn't be any shorter, but isn't there supposed to be more bloodiness here and there? Furthermore, there are some ugly mistakes in the CGI, but the art direction more than makes up for that with the design of armour and monsters. Idyllic landscapes, huge (but meticulous) sets and terrifying monsters define a world that smashes movies like 'The Matrix' and even 'Time Bandits' to smithereens. I guess I'll see it a second time this winter.
Most of the cast can draw from their experience (and image) in good horror movies (except Elijah 'angel face' Wood): Ian Holm (Alien), Christopher Lee (Sleepy Hollow, Dracula '66), Ian McKellen (Gods and monsters), Liv Tyler is a Heavenly creature (didn't play in that Jackson movie though), and Cate Blanchett still has the Gift. Already looking for LOTR (VG)? Try Diablo2, Quake1 and especially Unreal1. What good things have you heard about this film? Yep, it's all that and more (part 2&3) in the pipeline. 10/10: WingNut rules more than ever.