Okay... WOW... I loved this movie. Whatever Peter Jackson did, he made this book come alive in a way I could only have imagined. (Yes, I'm one of those people who READ the book... well at least the first one).
Working in a comic book store, I get to here all sorts of opinions about movies. And the complaint I hear most about Lord of the Rings is that it's too long; there's too much time of doing nothing between action scenes and even those look like they just wanted to create bigger and badder CG monsters each time. Well, I've go news for the non-believers: THAT'S HOW IT HAPPENED. I swear to you that 3 hours has never gone by so fast. Everything about the journey, about the battle scenes (with a few small exceptions) was so beautiful, I couldn't help but be swept along in the magic of this move.
Now, I've heard other complaints about this movie, such as "Where is Tom Bombadil?" and "Why the hell is Arwen in this movie?" Well, to be honest, it's been a while since I've read the book and, unlike most people, I don't remember much about Bombadil. As far as Arwen goes, now that someone's pointed it out to me, I DO see where there's something wrong with the scene where she's taking Frodo to Rivendel, but that's A. because it was pointed out and B. because deep down, I'm still a studio brat and I can tell. But hey... Unlike most people I know, I actually like Liv Tyler and I have no problem with her in the first movie... as brief as her role is this time around.
Oh... one other complaint is that no one's supposed to know that Aragorn's the king until later... Well, I dispute this complaint (because I just checked my copy of Fellowship)! And anyone who disagrees with me, check the 1973 paperback printing of Fellowship, page 291. And, I believe, not long after that, they aren't very quiet about it so THERE! BLEEAHH!!! :P
But on with the review!
Each character was protrayed fenominally... Gimli was the architypal Dwarf. Gandalf and Saruman kick as. I LOVED Ian Holm as Bilbo (partially, because he reminds me of my grandmother). Aragorn and Legolas... when I wasn't drooling over them... were great. I loved Boromir and Galadriel and even Elrond (even though I kept expecting him to say "Neo"). And the hobbits were just so much fun... Even Elija Wood has his moments, though it helps that he's surrounded by much better actors.
In fact the only thing I REALLY have a problem with is the cave troll. That was NOT a cave troll. Honestly, it looks like the animators spent all their time on the Balrog (which was awsome) and then realized that they still had to do the cave troll. But I can even live with a crappy cave troll because the entire movie just kicked so much ass. Hell! I've already gone to see it three times and my only complaint is that I have to wait another 11 months for part 2!! ...But at least it gives me time to finish the second book... oh wait... I'm already 1/2 way through it...
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