* * * The Lord of the Rings REVIEW THREAD! Post your reviews in here!! (here's mine...)

[TAsunder]

<< TAsunder, you make a lot of good points, and I happen to agree with most of them. It seems we hold this movie to a higher level since it supposed to be such a serious picture. We say there wasn't enough character development, too many special effects, etc. But I agree that the acting was at least as good as the special effects, if not better, which is something you can't say for all special effects based movies <cough>Jurassic Park</cough>. I liked the way the Jackson directed this movie, and I really don't think Shyamalan could have done any better (didn't he direct "Unbreakable"? - I wouldn't have touched that pile of dog sh!t with a ten foot pole if I was a director). Maybe we should not hold it to so high a level, but maybe we should, I don't know. >>



Well I guess we differ in opinion on Unbreakable, but regardless, the point was simply that there are a lot of directors who would have packed it with more of what Ang Lee called "Juice". I'm not trying to hold the movie to too high a standard. I am simply pointing out the ways in which it fails to transcend beyond a simple cliff notes version of the story. We can probably both agree that we are in the minority, and in that respect (drooling throngs of fans type thing), the film was a success. I just would have liked a more meaningful treatment of the material than was shown. I enjoyed it a fair amount, I just don't think it was the best fantasy film ever made, or even the best film of this year.

 

[qfg]

I loved the movie.. probably the best one I've seen this year!

The thing i liked about it most is that it draws you into the story and it almost becomes real to you, and you care for the characters like you know them.

They did an excellent job overall and I liked the casting and the acting as well. I haven't felt this good about a movie in a long time. hollywood is full of surprises.

Looking forward to seeing it again!!

 

[apoppin]

<< <<Tolkien was disappointed at the apparent failure of The Silmarillion, but agreed to take up the challenge of "The New Hobbit".

This soon developed into something much more than a children's story; for the highly complex 16-year history of what became The Lord of the Rings consult the works listed below.>>

???

Like I said, the Hobbit "grew" out of stories that he told his (grand)children. The LOTR was written to function as a sequel. That it "developed into...more that a children's story" is referrence to its difference from the prequel work, not its narrative sourse of origin. >>



The quote is from YOUR link to the bibliography, Isuldur. I was the one who quoted Tolkein's "the tale grew in the telling" and said LOTR grew out of Tolkein's stories to his grandchildren (even though the foundations for Middle Earth were laid previously). It looks like YOU skimmed instead of read.

Anyway, I am not going back into a theater to see "Fellowship" again. I am waiting to see it on DVD.

Awesome adaption! I just hope it is very successful (unlike Bashki's LOTR animation that never saw Part 2).

EDIT:I just don't think it was the best fantasy film ever made, or even the best film of this year. So, what was the best fantasy movie ever made in your opinion?

 

[FrogDog]

I just got back. It absolutely blew me away. Everything about it was extremely well done. The battle seens (especially they way they did the arrow firing) were amazing. It's a shame some people won't go to see it just because they think it's some stupid movie about wizards and fantasy.

 

[SaltBoy]

<< It's a shame some people won't go to see it just because they think it's some stupid movie about wizards and fantasy. >>



That's where word of mouth from people like us come in. We have to tell them to just go see it, especially if they like Star Wars, Shrek, or any thing like that. After all, the heart of those films deals with "wizards" and "fantasy."

Spread the word!

BTW, FrogDog, love your signature!

 

[novon]

I thought it was too long and too violent. But then, I'm not that into the whole fantisy thing.

After 1/2 the movie had passed, I was wishing I could leave, but I had already paid so I stuck around for the end.

 

[mrCide]

Interesting facts from imdb's 'trivia' section for this movie (and on a side note, never having read the book,i thought the movie was great, though warcraft, diablo, and agent smith came across my mind throughout ):

Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2000), Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The (2001), and Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The (2001) were filmed simultaneously.

Stuart Townsend was fired shortly after shooting began due to creative differences.

Ian Holm, who plays Bilbo Baggins, was the voice of Frodo Baggins in the classic BBC Radio adaptation of Lord of The Rings in the 1970s.

New Zealand's army was cast as extras for large battle scenes in the film, but was forced to back out due to having to serve as peacekeepers in East Timor.

Producer Sanders, Tim left the project after principal photography had commenced.

When the trailer was released on Internet on 7 April 2000, it was downloaded 1.6 million times in the first 24 hours.

Elijah Wood donned hobbit-forming breeches and a flowing shirt and took to the hills for his LOTR audition tape. He even recruited buddy 'George Huang', writer and director of the Hollywood satire Swimming With Sharks (1994), to direct him.

For high-tech tasks, a computer program called MASSIVE made armies of CG orcs, elves, and humans. These digital creations could 'think' and battle independently - identifying friend or foe - thanks to individual fields of vision. Jackson's team could click on one creature in a crowd scene of 20,000 and see through his "eyes". Different species even boast unique fighting styles.

The hobbits needed to appear about three to four feet tall - tiny compared with the seven-foot Gandalf. This was often accomplished using forced perspective, placing McKellen consistently closer to the camera than Wood in order to trick the eye into thinking McKellen is towering.

Viggo Mortensen lost a tooth while filming a fight sequence. He went to the dentist on his lunch break and had it patched up, and returned to the set that afternoon.

 

[kami]

I'll add another interesting fact...this one is technical in nature:

The displacement surface model for the Cave Troll character is composed of 3.7 million control vertices.

 

[Uclagamer_99]

despite the hype it turned out very well...i'd give it an 8 out of 10

anyone else keep thinking matrix when you saw the elf lord? hehe that kept popping into my mind

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

<< I'll add another interesting fact...this one is technical in nature:

The displacement surface model for the Cave Troll character is composed of 3.7 million control vertices. >>



And the Balrog was in fact Roseanne Barr without makeup

 

[BaDNaN0TH0N]

i thought it was a pretty good movie, i tired to read the books but didnt like em that much, seemed to drag on forever and all the nams sounded the same.
but the movie did a pretty nice job about giving each name a face. plus the fighting was cool. theres a whole lot of war in lotr books so you cant say the movie was more violent, i think it fit in nicley
i liked the movie better thatn the book and actualy want to read the books again now ( i really didnt like em when i read em first)
plus i like the changes that were made.

 

[FreshPrince]

<< despite the hype it turned out very well...i'd give it an 8 out of 10

anyone else keep thinking matrix when you saw the elf lord? hehe that kept popping into my mind >>



OMG! I kept thinking I knew I've seen him somewhere! lol

hehe, anyways, I just got back from the movie and thought the special effects were great! However, I was confused at times...for example, when the lady witch elf was given the chance to take the ring...she went all rage-like and then said she passed the test? extremely confused about that part...hehe, overall the movie was entertaining, but should've been shortened. Also, dragging the 2 other movies over 2 years is just silly! they should reconsider the release dates....Altho I was entertained, I saw mixed reviews from the audience as I exited the theater, this I think will be the downfall of the 3 year scheme. If all 3 are already filmed, they should IMO release them all ASAP. They'll lose a percentage of the audience from this movie, and maybe more from the next.

 

[bloodthirster]

This is the best Movie ever created !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If it does not sweep all the Oscars that apply to it(Best Actor, Best Film, Best FX, etc etc... of course there is no leading female part so there will be no one for that)
then the Oscars are fixxed.

Acting: 100% A++++++++

special FX: 100% A+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Everything else: 100% A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Go see this movie again and again and again and again and again and again! Help it shatter Titanics Record. ( IMO was a B rate film cause Leo is a i love you and Kate is FAT)

 

[Vinny N]

The whole movie took my breath away, it's not often that things can hold a person in rapture. I could have sworn I had trouble breathing when it first started, in fact I started to choke on my popcorn. Had to recover, I didn't dare make a sound to ruin anything.

random thoughts...

Yeah that whole "Agent" Elrond crossed my mind, I'm sure it would have been a passing nip at me but a friend of mine brought it up (she saw it earlier in the day) talking about a line that made her fill in the blank at the end "Mr. Anderson". For me, the line was the one right at the beginning of the council, something like "We have no other choice..." and there I wanted to say Mr. Anderson hehe.

I loved the angles used.
I wonder how they make Ian Mckellen seem like he's 7 feet tall, and John Rhys-Davies look like he's 3 feet tall.

The switch to CGI in zoomed out shots was a little too apparent, but I tried not to let that bother me.

I had tried to reread the FotR again before seeing it, but I found it near impossible to quickly work through though I guess that defeats the style of writing. So I let myself enjoy the movie based on my hazy memories of reading the Hobbit and the trilogy from 9 or 10 years ago.

I was awfully impressed with how beautiful they made Liv Tyler and Cate Blanchett, not that they don't look wonderful to begin with, but the glow they were given and the perfection they were charged set them beyond what I could imagine.

Anyone remember the Warlock movie from 1989, that horror movie with the timetraveling witchhunter and warlock? Well the actor who played the Warlock, his name escapes me now, but the way he looked in that movie...argh...people shot me evil looks just for thinking this...but upon first seeing Legolas, all I could think of was "OMG he's the evil Warlock." Of course, now the actor from the Warlock is much older and doesn't look a thing like Legolas in LotR, so people also think I'm crazy if you attempt to find pictures to see what I'm talking about.

I'm kind of at a lost as to what to say...

I left the theater with a feeling which I thought resembled serenity.

I'm almost horrified to think I must wait another year...and then another to have seen it all.

Can anyone see the 9 hour marathons that will be in the year 2004?

Imagine if the installments were each 8 hours...that'd be fun, a complete day of only LotR...

 

[djchemistry]

I tried reading the trilogy a few years ago and could not suffer through it. A bit long-winded and too detailed for my taste. Don't flame me for it but I needed more freedom for my imagination to take over. That being said...

The movie adaptation is freakin' awesome. This jackson guy did an awesome job directing the film. I could never have imagined many of the scenes he created on film. Just the sheer sensory overload I felt from his version of Tolkien's world was awesome. People comment on Tolkien's thorough creativity all the time and I think Jackson's should also be recognized. He kept true to this fantastic world and sucked the audience right in. I swear I want to visit the Shire now! New Zealand here I come!!! lol...an amazing movie with an amazing feel.

The action sequences were amazing too. I much preferred the war scenes in this movie over the fake war scenes from Episode I. George Lucas needs to hire a director that can better reflect his vision. Those damn droid robots are so bleh compared to the orc armies. All the dark details like the orcs and the 9 wreaths added to the feel of the movie. This has to be the best movie of the year! I'm definitely gonna go see it again.

 

[damocles]

Anyone remember the Warlock movie from 1989, that horror movie with the timetraveling witchhunter and warlock? Well the actor who played the Warlock, his name escapes me now, but the way he looked in that movie...argh...people shot me evil looks just for thinking this...but upon first seeing Legolas, all I could think of was "OMG he's the evil Warlock." Of course, now the actor from the Warlock is much older and doesn't look a thing like Legolas in LotR, so people also think I'm crazy if you attempt to find pictures to see what I'm talking about.

I think it was Julian Sands. I loved that movie - especially when he made his flying potion (forget if it was in 1 or 2)

 

[Basse]

Going to see it in a few hours, I hope I won't be disappointed. Don't wanna have my perfect images of the book ruined next time I read it. That's the only thing I'm worried about.

One question: When is the DVD scheduled to be released?

/B

 

[auyong]

Just saw the movie and I'd like to say that the director made the sceneries just like how I imagined it while reading the book! Awesome! Can't wait till book 2 and 3!

 

[Rellik]

Saw it again. Since I did not read the books, all the things come together better now. It certainly drives you to read the books. I mean, what other choice do we have to bridge that year before TTT
comes out.

One question for all you tolkien fans:

In the movie, when the fellowship is at the entrance of the mines,
Sam leaves his pony behind. Now, I did not even remember this from the first viewing, but here did he got it from? It is not important for the film, but all the guys that read the books imply that the pony is a beloved character in the book and that Sam really regrets leaving him behind. In the movie, it is like: Do we have to?...well, I don´t like it but I guess for the greater good....

Also: I could have sworn the pnoy never appeared earlier then at the mines. Where was it when they were on the mountaintop`? Did they "park" it somewhere on the way?

I will certainly read the books now.

 

[VisionsUCI]

I thoroughly enjoyed the movie.

I had some friends complain about the ending of the movie, and how they didn't think there was enough closure, but another friend was a film studies major and summed it up very well. Movies like the Matrix which are supposed to be a trilogy have been released with an ending, but only because the sequel was dependent upon the success of the first film. All three LotR movies have been filmed already and are just being edited, so there was no reason to test the audience. Thus, they can leave the movie open ended. Also, since there are enough Tolkien fans out there, they know there will be plenty watching even if it did flop... but it was a great movie, so that is a moot point. One of my favorite movies! And, on a side not, I'm taking the upper div. econ class "Movie Business" next quarter and we'll discuss it further there.

 

[Jfur]

<< I would suggest everone see it at least twice.

The second time was much better than the first, IMO

amish >>



Agreed!

 

[BigJohnKC]

<< Saw it again. Since I did not read the books, all the things come together better now. It certainly drives you to read the books. I mean, what other choice do we have to bridge that year before TTT
comes out.

One question for all you tolkien fans:

In the movie, when the fellowship is at the entrance of the mines,
Sam leaves his pony behind. Now, I did not even remember this from the first viewing, but here did he got it from? It is not important for the film, but all the guys that read the books imply that the pony is a beloved character in the book and that Sam really regrets leaving him behind. In the movie, it is like: Do we have to?...well, I don´t like it but I guess for the greater good....

Also: I could have sworn the pnoy never appeared earlier then at the mines. Where was it when they were on the mountaintop`? Did they "park" it somewhere on the way?

I will certainly read the books now. >>



Aragorn and the hobbits bought the pony in Bree from a man who wasn't in the movie named Bill Ferny - an evil man in the book who treated the pony terribly, but Sam treated him well and named him Bill.....not sure why they put that scene of the pony leaving in the movie when they never really showed them buying the pony. Also not sure where the "parked" it - didn't seem important at the time - I'll look for it when I go see it again.

 

[abaez]

<< WRONG. Geez. What's up with all these people talking about how it was in the book, and BEING WRONG? Elrond DID, in fact, appoint the fellowship. --And as a matter of fact, it occurred almost EXACTLY like in the book. Even some of the lines in that scene were direct quotes. Please re-read the scene before you spout off.
>>


Uhh, no. You are wrong too. Stop talking like you are somehow better than everyone else (you're not). I enjoyed when your negative self was away from the forums, why'd you come back? God you're an asshole sometimes.

In the movie, the members of the fellowship simply offer their help right away AT THE COUNCIL and Elrond agrees and just says "you shall be the fellowship of the ring." In the book, the fellowship isn't chosen at the council. Elrond simply announces later on that he has chosen Gimli to represent dwarves, Legolas to represent Elves, Aragorn to represent Men, etc. Pippin and Merry don't run into the council at the books either. In the books, Pippin and Merry are left out and Elrond has only chosen 7 companions, but wants 2 more which he was going to choose from his House. Merry and Pippin say they want to go and Elrond eventually allows them to do so, even though his heart is against it. Check out the first few pages of "The Ring goes South" chapter if you don't believe me.

I had no beef with this part of the movie, I'm just sick of you being a pompous ass.

I agree with Kami, it was really lame that he said fellowship of the ring with all the music and stuff, and no elrond did not say that in the book, in fact hardly any of the dialogue is from the books. The fight between the Gimli and Legolas was a weak attempt to try and capture the rift between dwarves and elves. Hundreds of years of conflict cannot be captured in a minute. And thats not the only thing that sucked about the movie.

 

[StuckMojo]

i'm going again just to see the Balrog again.

that was by far my favorite part/effect. all the effects were great, but the
balrog COMPLETELY blew me away!!!!

i don't think they could have done it any better. he was just awesome!

 

[mithrandir2001]

<< not sure why they put that scene of the pony leaving in the movie when they never really showed them buying the pony. Also not sure where the "parked" it - didn't seem important at the time - I'll look for it when I go see it again. >>


That part confused me too. I was wondering why they even made a reference to Bill at his departure if he was never introduced in Bree. To somebody who didn't read the books, that scene had almost no poignancy.

They parked Bill at the Golden Corral restaurant on the Great East-West Road while staying at Weathertop.