Incredible viewing experience ... 10/10

Rating: 10/10 (17 December 2003)

(Opening night, post-midnight showing, 5:00am) Only a very quick set of reactions, because I'm really tired: the film was amazing, incredible, mind-blowing, and every bit worthy of its hype (and then some).
Personally I loved the long series of endings that seem to be the sticking point for most casual viewers All that went before redefined the word "spectacular."
I was prepared for the alterations from the book, so I wasn't as annoyed as I was by The Two Towers. Would I have made different choices regarding the major changes Maybe; But then again, I could never have accomplished 0.000001% of what Jackson & Co. did -- even if I were given twice the resources that they were.
Of course I missed the obvious scenes (EE or unfilmed): the confrontation with Saruman, the Houses of Healing, the Scouring, etc. Overall, however, I was thrilled with all that was retained.
For the record, I also love the book and have read it numerous times. Contrary to extremist dogma, it IS possible to love both the book and the films.