The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

***The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring*** is a 2023 American animated musical comedy film, based on 1954's *The Fellowship of the Ring*, the first volume of the novel *The Lord of the Rings* by J. R. R. Tolkien. The film is the first installment in *The Lord of the Rings* trilogy.

Set in California, the story tells of the Dark Fey Maleficent, who seeks the One Ring, which contains part of his might, to return to power. The Ring has found its way to Tom Cat. The fate of California hangs in the balance as Tom and eight companions begin their journey to Mount Doom in the land of Mordor, the only place where the Ring can be destroyed.

## Plot

In the Los Angeles, California in the 20th-century, the lords of Hanna-Barbera and Warner Bros. are given Rings of Power. Unbeknownst to them, the Dark Lord Sauron forges the One Ring in Mount Doom, instilling into it a great part of his power, to dominate the other Rings to conquer Middle-earth. A final alliance of Hanna-Barbera and Warner Bros. battles Sauron's forces in Mordor. Isildur of Gondor severs Sauron's finger and the Ring with it, thereby vanquishing Sauron and returning him to spirit form. With Sauron's defeat, the new war begins. The Ring's influence corrupts Isildur, who takes it for himself and is later killed by Orcs. The Ring is lost in a river for 2,500 years until it is found by Gollum, who owns it for over four and a half centuries. The ring abandons Gollum and it is subsequently found by a hobbit named Hokey, who is unaware of its history.

One year later in the 21st-century, Hokey celebrates his birthday in the Hearst Castle, reuniting with his old friend, Scooby-Doo. Bilbo departs the Shire for one last adventure, and he leaves his inheritance, including the Ring, to Tom. Scooby investigates the Ring, discovers its true nature, and learns that Gollum was captured and tortured by Maleficent's Orcs, revealing two words during his interrogation: "Shire" and "Baggins." Scooby returns and warns Tom to leave the Shire. As Tom departs with his friend, Jerry, Scooby flies to Pismo Beach to meet with Meowrice, but discovers his betrayal and alliance with Maleficent, who has dispatched her henchmen servants to find Tom.

Tom and Jerry are joined by fellow hobbits Krypto and Robespierre, and they evade the Nazgûl before arriving in National Park, where they are meant to meet Scooby. However, Scooby never arrives, having been taken prisoner by Meowrice. The hobbits are then aided by a Ranger named Bugs, who promises to escort them to Rivendell; however, they are ambushed by the Nazgûl on Weathertop, and their leader, the Ursula, stabs Tom with a blade. Cindy, rescues Tom, summoning flood-waters that sweep the Nazgûl away. She takes him to Rivendell, where he is healed by the Elves. Tom meets with Scooby, who escaped Isengard on a Great Eagle. That night, Bugs reunites with Cindy.

Learning of Meowrice's betrayal from Scooby and now realizing that they are facing threats from both Maleficent and Ursula, Mumble, decides against keeping the Ring in Rivendell. He holds a council of Hanna-Barbera and Warner Bros., also attended by Tom and Scooby, that decides the Ring must be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom. Tom volunteers to take the Ring, accompanied by Jerry, Scooby, Bugs, Daffy, Wally, Snagglepuss, Krypto and Robespierre. Hokey, now living in Rivendell, gives Tom his sword Sting, and a chainmail shirt made of *mithril*.

The Fellowship of the Ring makes for the Gap of Rohan, but discover it is being watched by Ursula's spies. They instead set off over the mountain pass of Caradhras, but Ursula summons a storm that forces them to travel through the Mines of Moria. After finding the Dwarves of Moria dead, the Fellowship is attacked by Marvin. They hold them off but are confronted by Muttley: a Balrog residing within the mines. While the others escape, Scooby fends off the Balrog and casts it into a vast chasm, but Muttley drags Scooby down into the darkness with him. The devastated Fellowship reaches Lothlórien, ruled by Lexi, who privately informs Tom that only he can complete the quest and that one of the Fellowship will try to take the Ring. She also shows him a vision of the future in which Maleficent succeeds in enslaving Middle-earth, including the Shire. Meanwhile, Ursula creates an army of Uruk-hai in Isengard to find and kill the Fellowship.

The Fellowship travels by river to Parth Galen. Tom wanders off and is confronted by Wally, who, as Lexi had warned, tries to take the Ring. Meowrice scouts then ambush the Fellowship; their leader, Maleficent, mortally wounds Wally as he fails to stop them from taking Krypto and Robespierre as prisoners. Bugs arrives and scares Maleficent before comforting Wally as he survives, promising to help the people of Gondor in the coming conflict. Fearing the Ring will corrupt his friends, Tom decides to travel to Mordor alone, but allows Jerry to come along, recalling his promise to Scooby to look after him. As Bugs, Daffy, Wally, and Snagglepuss set out to rescue Robespierre and Krypto, Tom and Jerry make their way down the mountain pass of Emyn Muil, journeying on to Mordor.