An excellent film; not to be degraded by the naysaying Tolkienites

Rating: 10/10 (25 December 2002)

Tolkien wrote a wonderful story; full of magic and wonder and valor and all those little elements that make an adventure book wonderful.
Now, Jackson has made a brilliant adaptation of the book into a motion picture, full of magic and wonder and valor and all the elements that make an adventure movie wonderful.
All the naysaying Tolkienites who criticize the movie need to get over themselves. I'd like to see them do better. True, the movie strayed from certain major details in the book, but what movie adapted from a book hasn't? Plus, all of the changes are not profane at all to the ends or themes of the books. If Jackson had spent as much time as most die-hard Ring fans would have him, the movie would be 9 hours long and would appeal only to those die-hard fans. I actually reviewed the chapters of the books, and he never strayed from the central, critical idea at all. I see a great culmination in "The Return of the King" coming together quite nicely.
Additionally, The CGI is unreal. The Ents and Gollum are especially wonderful, and the battle scenes--although sometimes hard to follow--are especially elegant and crafty. Jackson in no way sacrificed character depth for graphics and imagery in the character of Gollum. In fact, Gollum's character deserves a nomination for best supporting actor.
Jackson knows what he is doing here. He's cunning and brilliant, and to the distraught Tokienites who would have him beheaded, I say TTT is worthy of the "Best Picture" Oscar.