Over-Long? Boring? Bad Effects? (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Extended Edition, DVD))

Member Name: Alindrail

Product:	The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Extended Edition, DVD)
Date:	01/02/02 (52 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good plot, Good characters, Great effects

Disadvantages: A year wait until the sequel

I like fantasy but I don't like LotR. I never have been a great fan, and indeed the first time I read the books I did not complete the series. Long, overly detailed, and in my opinion a little behind the times.

Before watching this film I decided to re-visit the books. Second time round I did complete the series and even enjoyed it. However it was, nontheless, an effort to complete. It is not an easy series to approach, if rewarding.

This film is different. The detailed passages are are removed through the convenience of conveying those impressions through visual imagery - and what imagery! The landscapes are dazzling, realistic and yet other-worldly. These are done so well that after a while you fail to notice them. In effect you find yourself going: 'Oh look, another fantastic effect, now what about the action?!' This is what effects are about; they are there as a sideline to the plot, not the plot itseld. The Fellowship does this magnificently.

The acting is appropriate to the film's plot and nature. Not GOOD acting, this is not a character piece, but enjoyable and entertaining, with actors who play up to the roles that are created. Sean Bean's (Bormir) piece after his confrontation with Frodo was over the top, and a downturn in what had been a good performance.

It is, I feel, the film's pace that is the true genuis behind this film. It does not drag, nor does it race. It knows it has three movies to get the point across and takes full advantage of this fact.

What of the storyline itself? Well simply put, it is the tale of a ring that belongs to Sauron, the embodiement of evil. Once he was defeated, but now he is surging once more in the world. When he was defeated he lost his ring of power, the One Ring. Later this was found by a creature called Gollum. For years it was in his possession, millenia. However a Hobbit took it from him, a small sapien creature, the size of a child, but with the sam
e mental abilities as any man. Now Sauron is looking for his Ring, but the forces of Middle Earth are determined to destroy it before he can find it. Gandalf leads the Hobbit's heir, Frodo, in the quest to destroy the ring, along with a band of warriors that represent the peoples of Middle Earth.

The film manages to be action filled and yet to introduce the story line, and the world, all in one film, setting up the two next films very well.

Add to this a beautiful soundtrack featuring Enya and you have a combination that works.

A film that manages to thrill the uninitiated and the pacify fans. Well done!

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