Brilliant *adaptation*

Rating: 10/10 (2 January 2003)

First, I believe 'Lord of the Rings' to be one of the greatest books of the 20th century - (and definitely the best fantasy books ever to be written) -- we'll get that out of the way... I am a fan of the book.
If you are one of those people who expects a word-for-word translation of the written text to the visual medium, forget it. Tolkien knew that this was impossible, as did the cast and crew of the film adaptation. However, Peter Jackson has done an incredible job keeping to the spirit (if not necessarily the letter) of Tolkien's masterpiece.
Yes... this means that Jackson and company had to cut out some sections of the book, and yes, add (or at least emphasise) and re-organise other sections. To feel that somehow this betrays both Tolkien (and his fans) is utter nonsense.
The film is absolute beauty and grandeur - gorgeous cinematography and production. The battle scenes are truly epic (in an age when that term gets thrown about a bit much) - Never before has CGI been so seamlessly integrated into live action (the crew at WETA workshop deserves many, many awards for their work). Most impressive on the CGI front is that this movies realises the first full-fledged CGI character (Gollum/Smeagol makes Yoda from SWII look like the Kracken from Clash of the Titans). Let's not forget the actors (the 'real' ones, that is)... stellar group that one - someone paid attention when casting and hired not 'stars' but the right people for the roles (novel concept that).
So yes, this is not a 1:1 mapping from book to movie, and it never could have been. Peter Jackson has done brilliantly and certainly better than any other director working today could have done (and might I add, better than any of those 'fans' who feel it necessary to slag the film could have done either).
Appreciate what has been given to you. There could never have been a better version (and this one is pretty spectacular at that). 10/10