2001, 2 hrs 50 min., Rated PG-13 for epic battle sequences and some scary images.�Dir: Peter Jackson. Cast: Elijah Wood (Frodo Baggins), Ian McKellen (Gandalf the Grey), Viggo Mortensen (Strider/Aragorn), Sean Astin (Samwise 'Sam' Gamgee), Billy Boyd (Peregrin 'Pippin' Took), Dominic Monaghan (Meriadoc 'Merry' Brandybuck), John Rhys-Davies (Gimli), Orlando Bloom (Legolas), Hugo Weaving (Elrond), Sean Bean (Boromir), Liv Tyler (Arwen), Cate Blanchett (Galadriel), Ian Holm (Bilbo Baggins), Christopher Lee (Saruman).

Me. Yep, moi. I'm the man. The man who hasn't read - and doesn't intend to read - J.R.R. Tolkein's three-volume "Lord of the Rings" books (just looked it up; full name is John Ronald Reuel Tolkein). Thus, many fans of the trilogy, and the filmmakers of the movies based on the saga, would like to know what I thought of their obsession.

I liked it just fine, thank you. In fact, through all the previews and hype, I was pretty geeked up to see the movie. Kudos to New Line for getting me in the theater - braving the crowds - on opening night.

What I don't know of the book I can take from the movie; a tale of the monumental struggle between good and evil, interspersed with old-fashioned themes of loyalty, bravery, chivalry and honor. It's the very definition of epic. In fact, I need to see the movie again just to take in all the sound (ours was in and our all three hours and even went silent for a minute), and learn all the nouns (people, places and things).

The battle for Middle-earth features almost non-stop action with plenty of death and destruction, full of fantasy and adventure (a drive-thru of elves, dwarves, Hobbits, orcs, wizards, et al).

I think I have discovered that Hobbits live in our world as well as Middle-earth. They are just misunderstood as Teletubbies, living in huts built into hills! All that's missing are the antennae. Not only is the bad guy incredibly wicked, he even knocks down an old-growth forest to achieve dubious goals. Quick, get the Sierra Club to file a motion; they know how to tie up 'evildoers' in court for years!

I've only a minor complaint regarding the pacing. Sometimes, I felt as if LOTR could have slowed down for thirty seconds and explained a little more of what was going on. At least give me time to digest what was said before the next fire demon from the Marines commercial showed up to cause general mayhem among the ranks of the fellowship.

Speaking of, your run-of-the-mill unlikely heroes, the Fellowship is made up of four midgets, two guys that look alike, a retired member of ZZ Top, a dwarf with an attitude and one of the Nelson twins who makes like Robin Hood. It's a Village People-esque commonwealth of good to battle evil like no other.

But the cast is packed with stars (where have you been, Sean Astin?), such as Elijah Wood in the role that will finally make him a Hollywood A-lister, as 'chosen' Hobbit, Frodo Baggins. Also spending over a year to make this love affair are Ian McKellan in the coolest role, Gandalf the wizard, Viggo Mortensen as stud Ranger Strider/Aragorn, Christopher Lee as baddie Saruman, Liv Tyler and Cate Blanchett as Elven beauties, and John Rhys-Davies in an almost unrecognizable role as a dwarf.

In his elaborate adaptation, director Peter Jackson really shows off his homeland of New Zealand. He has said that "Every time we shot a scene, I reread that part of the book right before, as did the cast. It was always worth it, always inspiring." I'm sure that's reassuring to all the fan-geeks out there. And instead of all speaking one language, some of the characters speak the supposedly romantic "Elvish", which is odd since even Ann-Margaret can translate that easy bit of "Love me tender" language.

The special effects were good, usually seamless. Although, since I was looking for it, I could tell when filmmakers were trying to make it appear that the Hobbits, generally played by regular-sized actors, were really less than four-feet-tall and others towered over them. But that's just an admiration of technique, not being picky. I'm impressed that the filmmakers could just keep up with which creature was where and when.

In conclusion (stop clapping), I love a good epic, especially a good one. I'm very much looking forward to the next installment next Christmas, and the finale in 2003.

The verdict: -- One movie to rule them all.

HOME   |   Back to Jeff's Movie Reviews