General reply to lovers and haters of the film

Rating: Null/10 (7 December 2002)

I have read The Lord of the Rings, and I adore the book. I think it is one of the most amazing things I have ever read. I find it a masterpiece of literature, and I am not alone. Millions of people all over the world treasure this book. I am simply astounded every time I consider what Tolkien did. He created cultures and languages in a time that feels not fictional, but thousands of years before us. He also made a villain that is inanimate. Though Sauron and Saruman desire the ring, without it they cannot complete their conquest of Middle Earth. And the darkest enemy the fellowship faces is not Saruman, Sauron, or the Ring; it is their own frailties and fears. Tolkien also writes into his story the fact that we can never know how things might turn out. We never know what consequences our actions may have, at least not fully. Case in point: Gandalf says he thinks Gollum still has a part to play, for good or ill. Which of course he does. For those of you who have read the books, you know what I am talking about. For those who don't, you'll see...And thankfully, so far the movies are following the story.

One of the users said that he did not want to read the book after seeing the movie. He said that a movie should make you want to read the book. I don't agree. I suppose that since I am avid reader, I think the book should stand on its own merit and any movie made from it should reflect the book. I think people should read the book instead of relying on the movie. And if the movie is bad, that just means the filmmakers did not stay true to the book.