Possibly the Best Fantasy film ever made (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Extended Edition, DVD))

Member Name: Chris-Duncan

Product:	The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Extended Edition, DVD)
Date:	24/01/02 (40 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great book, Great film, JUst great

Disadvantages: To long for some

Lets start off with the fact that I thoroughly enjoyed the three hours I spent watching this. It may not be entirely truthful to the book but it is not far off and much closer than I expected. The whole feel of the film matches my vision of what middle earth and its characters should be.

There is a narrative at the start of the film describing and showing the origins of Sauron and the Ring. It also touches on how it passed to Bilbo Baggins.

****** Spoilers ******

A comparison with the book shows a number of changes but enough that is comfortable for those familiar with the story.

After the initial narrative we cut to the preparation for Bilbo?s 111 birthday party and all is pretty familiar until Frodo gets the ring. Then we hit fast forward and stay there until the hobbits arrive in Bree. Much is skipped over or missed completely ? no forest, no old man willow, no Tom Bombadil or barrow wrights.

Bree is similar to the book but the Black Riders in person replace Bill Ferny. The trip to Wintertop is shortened but the battle with the riders is very well done and the world we see when the ring is on is nothing short of superb.

After Frodo?s injury we have a bit of a change in characters. No Glorfindel on white steed but we are introduced to Arwen (Liv Tyler) in his place. She rides off with Frodo to the Ford and Rivendell and the following chase with the nine black riders is excellent. The stand off at the ford itself is seen as a result of Arwen?s actions rather than Elrond?s but the flood looks superb as it washes the Nazgul away.

Rivendell is well done but as with the rest of the film the songs are all missing, the fellowship is sent on its way to Mordor. (Also whilst we see the sword that was broken there is no mention of it being re-forged).

Again the journey that led to Moria is cut short and who said what appear to have been altered for no apparent reason. The fight with the wolves is
also missed completely.

In Moria everything is pretty much as expected. The narrow tunnels are however replaced with foot ways through vast caverns with provides am excellent cinematic experience. The Balrog is a little different from what I expected but the encounter on the bridge was pretty much perfect.

The period from leaving Moria to leaving Lorien is pretty much glossed over. The final splitting of the fellowship with the kidnap of Merry and Pippin, the departure of Frodo and Sam and the death of Boromir ends the film as it did the book.

Having looked at what was missed a couple of bits were added. Saruman is the main enemy that the group has to deal with after the Nazgul; with the Eye currently being little more than a far off threat. We see the turning of the Green trees of Isengard into the factory surrounding Orthanc, the birth of the Urak-Hai and the battle between Saruman and Gandalf is a high point in the movie.

****** End Spoilers ******

The special effects for the movie are excellent and fit in seamlessly with the real stuff. The different size beings (i.e. Hobbits, dwarves) look real as compared to shrunken. The shadow world Frodo enters when wearing the ring is excellent with the ring-wraiths being particularly good.

The acting is all top notch as is the direction and cinematography.

Even with the skipping of parts of the book this is a long movie and whilst I have no problem with this, many of the kids allowed to see it (cert. PG with additional warning) will find this a bit to long to stay sat in one place. My kids of nine and six however did not.

I have now seen it twice and look forward to seeing it at least once more before it finishs its cinema run.

All in all a bit of a winner in my opinion. I also look forward to the DVD to see the cut footage

Summary: