you can't rate something like this...

Rating: 8/10 (13 January 2002)

The defining part of any movie is its plot. You cannot accurately rate this movie without seeing the other two! Since it is essentially one really long movie split into three long movies, you can't rate just the first third of it! If the next two movies suck more than Gone Fishin', then the first movie will be pointless. Don't think that I hate this movie. I love it, it is an excellent application of the technology we have today. Very few things bothered me about this movie, and I like to say I have a very good eye for picking out even the tiniest flaws. Kudos to the 3D GFX designers for the remarkable visuals, and Peter Jackson on the excellent directing. I can't find anything wrong with the acting, it is simply superb.
My only complaint would be with the action scenes... When Gandalf and Samuran face off in the beginning, I was on the edge of my seat waiting for some flashes, explosions, SOMETHING. All they did was throw each other around! The entire time before this scene they were building up on Gandalf's powers, showing his ability to teleport and light off fireworks, and I was really ready to see an all out battle. When Gandalf joins the Fellowship, he never uses his staff or any magic for that matter, in battle. All the magic he uses is in the caves, using his staff for a light, and in the mountains, where he combats Samuran's avalanches (a lot of good that did...) He did use his magic to fend off that fire beast, but I didn't like to see him go.. I want to see tons of magic and mystical powers in the next two, and with Gandalf gone I dont see how much will be possible. Whenever a battle began and Gandalf drew his sword, I just wanted to say WHY?? He wouldnt last a minute in battle... An old man with a cloak for protection with a sword versus dozens of orcs? I'm surprised he lasted as long as he did.
Needless to say, I did enjoy the film. By itself, it gets a 6/10 simply because it has no plot, but I realize it isn't meant to. But it is essential to the rest of the series, and depending on how good the rest are, it has the potential be a 10. It is an excellent, well paced introduction to the problem and characters. I hope the other two portray their roles as well as this one did. I will not rate it before seeing the other two, and that is going to be a while! Too long, in my opinion... but I suppose it is good marketing.. Just as the hype is just about dead, release a new one. People watch the first one again and the second one, what a gold mine.