Ringers - Lord of the Fans
Of all the documentaries devoted to J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy classic,Ringers: Lord of the Fansis the first and only one to respectfully honor the good-natured depth and breadth ofLord of the Ringsfandom. Like Peter Jackson with his phenomenalLord of the Ringsfilm trilogy, director Carlene Cordova and cowriter Cliff Broadway (contributors to theonering.net, the definitiveLOTRfan site) were the perfect team to create this wildly entertaining tribute. The film's globetrotting ambition is constantly impressive, butRingersremains keenly focused on its lively exploration ofRingsfan devotion, presented here with a flawless combination of informative objectivity and insider enthusiasm. From the inspiration behind Tolkien's Middle-earth and the immediate success ofThe Hobbitupon its 1937 publication, to the hippie embrace ofRingsmythology in the late 1960s and the revival of fandom in the wake of Jackson's trilogy,Ringers(the accepted nickname of devotees) has it all: Influential authors such as Clive Barker, Terry Pratchett, and Terry Brooks offer theirRings-related insights along with such Tolkien-inspired musicians as Rush's Geddy Lee and Motorhead's Lenny Kilmister, and literally hundreds of fans provide affectionate testimonials to the source of their devotion. Peter Jackson and most of theLOTRtrilogy's primary cast are also included in the constant flow of interviews.Dedicated to Tolkien as a valentine by smart and dedicated fans, the film generates its own infectious goodwill; it's so fun to watch that even non-fans will concede (to borrow a phrase from another world of fandom) that resistance is futile. (Oh, and speaking ofStar Trek, the vintage clip of Leonard Nimoy singing his novelty hit "Bilbo Baggins" is absolutely priceless.) Actor Dominic Monaghan ("Merry" from Jackson's trilogy, before joining the ensemble cast ofLost) perfectly delivers the film's eloquent narration, which runs theLOTRgamut from intellectual appreciation to the hilarious eccentricities of über-fan obsession. Unfailingly noble in spirit and delightfully comprehensive,Ringersis a collector's gift that can proudly stand alongside Tolkien's books and Jackson's timeless movie trilogy.--Jeff Shannon