confusing but enjoyable

Rating: 8/10 (5 April 2004)

I would give the film a 8.5/10 but it comes with a warning of advice. For people that have not read the book the viewing can be a very challenging task that demands careful attention and repeated viewings. I personally found it hard to remember the characters names, the places, and even to figure out which hobbit is which, or even which wizard is which. I also found it hard to understand the thick "Middle Earth" accent. Why does everyone's name sound the same? Sadly, I don't think that this movie can be enjoyed if you were just a casual fan who saw the first film a year ago. In order to fully understand this film, it is necessary to watch perhaps 2 or 3 times or with the captions on, and have a ring guru nearby so you can ask lots of questions. "Who's that? What did he just say?" There is simply too much going on for our ADD/ADHD society to engulf, or even me and I consider myself an intelligent college educated person. However, after working really hard, I eventually did understand and appreciate this as a spectacular film and story. I just don't think it classifies so much as a movie - it really is in its own category. A movie you should be able to go to without knowing anything about it, sit down and let the movie take you to its world and let you leave 2- 2.5 hours later with some token impact. A movie should be able to give you all you need such that you can take whatever you need from it in one sitting. The ring "films" don't do that with me. That is my caution.