The movie is a tremendous accomplishment, a sweeping epic that convincingly and gorgeously creates an entire world (I watched one of the "making of" specials and was overwhelmed by the amount of preparation and detail that went into every facet of the filming). However, it takes its sweet time getting going (enough dancing hobbits already!), and it frequently takes itself too seriously, with overbearing music and stilted dialogue. Despite those faults, though, I walked out of the movie feeling frustrated that I'd have to wait a whole year to see the next installment (the film rather audaciously ends without any real attempt to wrap up anything -- thank god the other two films are already done, because it would really, really suck if they weren't and then something horrible happened to Jackson or one of the main actors).
Thankfully for an FX-heavy movie like this one, the actors generally aren't overwhelmed by the special effects (though all their eyes seem to have been digitally altered to be stunningly blue), and the CGI looks quite realistic. The opening battle scene is particularly spectacular, far outstripping similar combat sequences in, say, The Phantom Menace. In fact, the physical landscape of New Zealand is as powerful and expressive as any computer graphic -- the film could play as a tourism commercial.
That said, most of the actors don't get a chance to do much. I adore Ian McKellen, so I was probably responding more to him than to his acting as Gandalf and thinking of the anecdotes of the filming that he shares on his website. The hobbits were a bit twee for my taste, though they got less precious as the story went on, and Elijah Wood's wide-eyed childishness kind of got on my nerves; again, that decreased as he matured throughout the movie and I hope will vanish altogether in the subsequent films. And I will single out Liv Tyler for special mention as being the least annoying she has ever been; she didn't make me cringe until the kissy-kissy part with Viggo Mortensen.
I'd never been much of a fan of Mortensen's; he always seemed like an unwashed, stringy-haired skank to me. Not to mention that his name is something of a turn-off -- it brings to mind unpleasant images of pillaging and plundering and Tony Curtis in The Vikings. But here he's mesmerizing as the noble, brooding warrior Aragorn. Those piercing eyes! -- excuse me while I swoon. Oooo, that strong and silent type can be the lord of my rings any time, if you get my drift.
Anyway, what I say in this review is pointless,
since
most of you have probably made up your minds long ago whether or not to
see this movie (and have probably already seen it). If by any
chance
you're on the fence, I will say that I don't think you need to be
familiar
with the novels to enjoy and understand it; it certainly stands on its
own. Despite a few flaws, it's well worth the three hours and
however
much you pay to see it. All I want for Christmas 2002? A
ticket
to The Two Towers.
Completely random observation: There's a ferret in this movie! Very briefly, in the scene in the pub, but it's there! So Fellowship can join the proud ranks of such ferret-including movies as The Beastmaster; The Beastmaster 2; Bright Lights, Big City; Starship Troopers; and Kindergarten Cop.
Theater rant: I saw the movie at the Uptown, which has a huge, beautiful screen, but the bastards showed SEVEN commercials and just ONE preview before the movie. That is just wrong, wrong, wrong. I would boycott the theater, but it's the best screen in town.
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