Hmm

Rating: Null/10 (31 December 2002)

As one who hasn't read the books, but has a deep appreciation of the fantasy/mythology genre, I viewed the film objectively, purely as a piece of cinema and with no expectations. The visuals are, for the most part, stunning. There are a few moments when the use of animation/models is obvious, which is a little disappointing, but overall, it's a feast for the eyes. Gollum is a spectacular piece of animation. The story moves along at a healthy pace, but is a little dull and uninvolving - Gollum being the only character that evokes any kind of emotional connection with the audience. The battle scenes are dramatic and exciting, but the comedy element is unnecessary. I also found the sight of Gandalf, appearing on the horizon like the Lone Ranger, at the moment of crisis, embarrassingly corny. For anyone wanting an evening of swords and sorcery, this is a reasonable film, but if you're looking for depth of character and to be swept away into another world for a couple of hours, look elsewhere.