Gollum says shine your light on the world, shine your light for the world to see

Rating: Null/10 (20 December 2002)

I felt compelled to write when I read some of the responses that people had to the movie. Folks, let's get something out of the way first and foremost: the book is unfilmable in it's original layout. I'm sick of hearing all this complaining about how Peter Jackson and company changed this and changed that. I guess you would all like to see a hack like Michael Bay take a crack at it? Or maybe someone who didn't even read the book but was considered a perfect choice for his "stylish" visuals? People, understand something. The movies are being made by someone who has an obvious affection for the books, possibly more so than any other film director working today. The guy is doing everything he can to give the books the treatment they deserve! Of course stuff is gonna get left out! Anybody who thinks he is making this movie solely to get it out there and get some money out of it, without any regard for a respectable adaptation is sorely mistaken. Come on, how much is he straying from the source material that you have to whine like kids? I personally think this movie was excellent on all counts. The only complaint I have is that it was a little slow at times and some of the ending dialogue was a little hokey but there's so much here that leaves you in awe that it'd make for a review well over the thousand word limit, so I'm gonna keep my praise restrained. Gandalf's battle with the Balrog was something that I've never seen anything like in a film before and that's saying something. Frodo falling into the Dead Marshes was one of the creepiest scenes I have ever seen in a movie, period. I don't think the Academy would have the balls to nominate Andy Serkis for best supporting actor but some kind of honorable mention is due. This is digital character done right, no mentioning the other digital atrocity bestowed upon us back in '99. I don't have to mention the name, do I? The battle of Helm's Deep was a technical accomplishment that, sad to say it, makes similar large scale effects works like Attack of the Clones look like grade school stuff. The movie was close enough to the books that I could honestly overlook any omissions or additions made. Everything that was added was true to Tolkien's work. Anything that was omitted was done for the best reasons, I'm sure. I'm dying to see how Jackson executes the scene left out of the Two Towers book at the very end, the one scene anyone who has read the book remembers. The acting was great on all sides and the music was almost as good as Fellowship of the Ring was. This movie was something else. Peter Jackson, I stand and I salute you and I applaud your effort, as well as the rest of the people who helped you to bring this to the screen in such magnificence. Count me among the first to buy this DVD and the extended cut on their respective release dates. And count me among the first in line for Return of the King. Rating: ***** out of *****.