Thank you.

Rating: Null/10 (10 January 2003)

Thank you, Peter Jackson. Thank you for bringing things to the screen that I was not able to imagine from the book in my mind's eye for some reason.
Respects paid, I'd like to comment on the film. It was fantastic. I grew up on the books (as many reviewers have, naturally), and I have loved every minute of both Fellowhip and Two Towers. I am not a Tolkein snob, though, and I don't care that they cut certain things short or out entirely. I understand that this is a movie, and it's Peter Jackson's interpretation of the books, and I'm okay with other people's interpretations of things.
I was particularly excited about seeing Gollum, the Ents, the kingdom of Rohan, and Shelob when I first sat in the theatre. Shelob did not appear, but that's okay, they left off at a really good point, leaving the viewers who haven't read the books saying, "Wait, who the hell is this 'she' that Gollum's speaking about????"
I was really impressed with Gollum. When he smiled when Frodo first called him Smeagol, I was creeped out. And then I remembered it was CGI stuff that created him and I got even more goosebumps.
I would have liked to have seen more with the Ents (not only 'cause they're cool, but Dominic Monaghan is wildly attractive). I would have also liked to see them be bigger, but this isn't my interpretation of things.
Rohan.... When I read the books as a young'n, I LOVED Rohan. I couldn't (and still can't) help but feel that if I lived in that fictitious world, I would have lived in that kingdom. Hell, I'd give anything to play Eomer. Anyway, at first I was a little disappointed with it. I pictured the kingdom being more majestic and regal, like the horses they master. I pictured marble halls, a lot of blue, and cleaner surroundings, but after I saw the movie for a second time, I got used to it. I am growing to love it, actually. The Norweigan fiddle they used as a theme of sorts for Rohan was just incredible.
Dear me, this is getting long. Okay, in short (too late), this is an incredible cast. Fantastic performances from Dominic Monaghan (not just because he's attractive), Ian McKellan (duh), David Wenham, Miranda Otto, Viggo Mortensen, Andy Serkis, Karl Urban, Brad Dourif, Bernard Hill, Craig Parker, Elijah Wood, blah blah blah.
Again, thank you Peter Jackson. I don't really know how I'm going to last until next December, but I'll be crapping my pants in anticipation the whole year.