Despite the criticism, is highly deserving of praise

Rating: 10/10 (23 December 2002)

Other viewers have made many comments, criticisms and comparisons and each are equally valid. Rather than reiterate what they've said, I'll leave most of the praise/criticism aside.
Personally I enjoyed this movie both times I saw it, and more so the second time. Every movie I've ever seen has its faults, and this is no exception. The exception here is that I didn't care. The faults disappeared amongst everything else that was transpiring on screen.
A number of viewers have commented on how "different" the movie is from the book. However, having seen a number of movie adaptations of books (and read a number of novelisations of movies) I enjoy it more when the director takes a few liberties and throws me a surprise or gives me something to challenge me mentally. A strict telling of the novel can often be boring and mundane. Nor may it translate to the silver screen well. How often I've thought that I would love to see entirely different endings to the book. Wouldn't it be radical to see evil triumph just once? Jokes aside, let the director take some artistic licence. Movies are not books, and nor are books movies. Enjoy each for its own accomplishments. I've thoroughly enjoyed Tolkien's books and thoroughly enjoyed Jackson's movies. They are both amazing in their own right, not exactly the same, but that makes them more enjoyable.
I can't wait for the DVD to come out and breathe even more life into Middle Earth.