If you are literate, you'll love it

Rating: 10/10 (25 February 2004)

In my experience the most significant factor in determining how people respond to this, and all three movies, is whether they have read the books.
Of my friends the ones who have read the books and were mesmerised by the new world, complete with its culture, new languages, history and art, were equally mesmerised by Jackson's magnificent portrayal. Watching the movies was like re-living one's mental images while reading the books.
Of my friends who had not read the books, they enjoyed the epic scenery, some liked the spunky characters (Legolas, Aragorn and Arwen) and the humour and most thought they were great movies. However they didn't think they were spectacular, like the rest of us. The reason is there is so much that is not said, and not shown. If you thought the ending was long it actually omits huge sections of the book! Middle-Earth tragics, like myself, had to be drawn to the ending gently. There are also the nuances of the dwarf-elf antagonism, the religious overtones and romantic liasons which are barely touched upon, but readers will see and appreciate the subtle references.
As I have read the books, and watched the films with friends who were also fans, the entire experience was magnificent, and for us the third (but hopefully not final) film was given an unanimous verdict:

The greatest films ever made.