Spectacular THERE IS A SPOILER

Rating: 10/10 (1 March 2003)

I took my mom, my cousins and a friend to see this for Christmas, and we were very pleased. Yes, it strayed somewhat from the book, but the book would have been difficult to capture any closer without ruining it.

The two biggest differences are where the movie ends as opposed to the novel, and the subplot with Arwen. These were needed to make a better movie (and to further explain the events in the upcoming Return of the King)and are not very significant if you take these into consideration. ((((SPOILER))))I have heard people say that wolf-riders aren't in the book, but there is a sentence in the novel in it that refers to them.
On the theatrical area, the acting is good. Not great, but just right to set the mood. The special affects are excellent, capturing the wonder and terror. Also, the writting is great, and there are numerous quotes that will go down in history. My cousins loved the character of Gollum, who was hillarious, saddening and even treacherous at times. Andy Serkis is probably the best actor in the movie. Over All: **** out of ****. Brilliant Jackson!