Follows the strengths and flaws of the book

Rating: 7/10 (7 January 2002)

As a sad fan of fantasy fiction, but someone who thought the book of "The Lord of the Rings" was overrated, this film came pretty much up to expectations. It has much the same strengths (beautiful scenery and detail) as well as a couple of its own (great special effects, fight scenes, performances from Ian McKellen and Christopher Lee). It also has the same big flaw, the plot. It took me a couple of times to get past the first book as the plot meanders. Unfortunately the film is the same, and after a while, as someone lese has pointed out, it just turns into a "Dungeons and Dragons" game with a number of scenarios which the heroes have to fight or puzzle their way out of.
Still worth seeing as, like the book, the plot is only part of the point. The setting, scenery and special effects are superb and there are truly some moments of terror especially near the beginning. The second film, like the second book, will hopefully be better. It's certainly not the best film of all time.
7 out of 10