The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (A or 4/4 stars)
An ancient ring thought lost for centuries has been found. And through a strange twist of fate, said ring has been entrusted to a hobbit named Frodo in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring', directed by Peter Jackson. You see, the Dark Lord, Sauron, forged the Ring of Power to control all the peoples/creatures of Middle Earth. The ring was taken from him; eventually falling into the hands of Bilbo Baggins of the Shire (a place of utmost innocence). When Gandalf the Wizard discovers the evil ring is in Bilbo's possession, he decides that his nephew, Frodo Baggins, must make the trek to Mount Doom in order to destroy it. The fellowship (in the title) refers to the 8 beings (3 hobbits, 2 men, 1 wizard, 1 elf, & 1 dwarf) who assist him on this epic journey. Short & sweet, this movie is exhilarating.
It all begins in the quiet countryside of the Shire (Hobbiton, to be exact); where Bilbo (Ian Holm) is celebrating his 111th birthday. Frodo (Elijah Wood) is in attendance, as is the kind, sage wizard, Gandalf (Ian McKellen). After his decision to leave Hobbiton forever, Bilbo gives both his home & the ring (which turns the wearer invisible) to Frodo. But much to Gandalf's chagrin, he discovers that the ring is the One Ring forged by Sauron; capable of corrupting its wearer. Sauron's loyal slaves, the Ring Wraiths (horrifying black-cloaked figures ... gave me the willies), are sent out to scour Middle Earth for the ring. If it's found & returned to Sauron, the world would be plunged into a war, & there'd be no stopping his malevolent malice.
Young Frodo starts his journey in the company of 3 other hobbits: Merry (an impish Dominic Monaghan), Pippin (a puckish Billy Boyd), & his faithful servant/best friend, Sam (a stellar Sean Astin). Later, in the village of Bree, they are aided by a ranger named Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen). After arriving in Rivendell, they get some much needed assistance from Arwen (Liv Tyler), Boromir (Sean Bean), a son of the Steward of Gondor, a tall, blonde elf named Legolas (Orlando Bloom), a fiery dwarf named Gimli (John Rhys-Davies), & Gandalf the Wizard. Together, this fellowship of 9 must face Orcs, goblins, darkness, enchanted forests, the ambiguous Queen Galadriel (Cate Blanchett), treacherous rivers, rocky plains, snow, & mountains, before reaching their biggest test, the Mines of Moria (home of the Dwarf Lords ... and an ancient demon). However ... even if they can overcome all of these dangers, will mistrust 'within' the fellowship be their true undoing?
The reason this film will be much loved is because J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings series is known as one of, if not 'the' best fantasy epic of all time. The series is the 'Godfather' of fantasy novels. Fantasy - because it successfully encompasses mythology, supernaturalism, heroism, & faerie tales. And Peter Jackson's film is the best representative of 'fantasy' that has ever been put on film. Fellowship has everything: adventure, excitement, emotion, passion, & terror (those Orcs nearly did me in). This film not only exhibits great craftsmanship (sweeping cinematography, great editing, scintillating sets, spectacular scenery, gorgeous costumes, & riveting music), but the story is emotionally involving, & the acting is far better than most fantasy adaptations.
Elijah Wood impresses as Frodo; once a carefree hobbit, he now realizes the cross he has to bear {the weight of the world rests on his small shoulders}. Ian Holm is great as a simultaneously sweet, but tortured Bilbo. Viggo Mortensen is wonderful as the human in charge of them all. Sean Bean handles the morally complex Boromir extremely well. John Rhys-Davies is great in providing some necessary comic relief as Gimli the dwarf. Orlando Bloom shows off some awesome bow & arrow skills as Legolas the elf. Liv Tyler is strong as Arwen, an elf in love with human Aragorn. As Galadriel, Cate Blanchett is as ethereal as she is menacing. Christopher Lee is scary as Hell as Saruman, a treacherous wizard, warring with Gandalf for rights to the One Ring. And Ian McKellen rivets as the intimidating, but vulnerable & sympathetic Gandalf. Call him a magical grandfather-type. He is truly awesome.
Can this brotherhood hold off their enemies? Can Frodo find the strength within to complete the task at hand? Fellowship ... has the ability to transport you to an entire different reality; an alternate universe. I was immersed within minutes and was held for the duration; which isn't always an easy feat (especially given it's nearly 3 hour run time). After meeting all the characters, understanding their individual plights, & experiencing every adventure with them, I felt 100% satisfied. Filled with triumphs, sorrows, & joys, Fellowship ... is made with intelligence, care (the project is very near & dear to Jackson), & precision (those special effects are almost flawless). I can't wait for the next 2 film installments. In the meanwhile, I'll read the books.
It all begins in the quiet countryside of the Shire (Hobbiton, to be exact); where Bilbo (Ian Holm) is celebrating his 111th birthday. Frodo (Elijah Wood) is in attendance, as is the kind, sage wizard, Gandalf (Ian McKellen). After his decision to leave Hobbiton forever, Bilbo gives both his home & the ring (which turns the wearer invisible) to Frodo. But much to Gandalf's chagrin, he discovers that the ring is the One Ring forged by Sauron; capable of corrupting its wearer. Sauron's loyal slaves, the Ring Wraiths (horrifying black-cloaked figures ... gave me the willies), are sent out to scour Middle Earth for the ring. If it's found & returned to Sauron, the world would be plunged into a war, & there'd be no stopping his malevolent malice.
Young Frodo starts his journey in the company of 3 other hobbits: Merry (an impish Dominic Monaghan), Pippin (a puckish Billy Boyd), & his faithful servant/best friend, Sam (a stellar Sean Astin). Later, in the village of Bree, they are aided by a ranger named Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen). After arriving in Rivendell, they get some much needed assistance from Arwen (Liv Tyler), Boromir (Sean Bean), a son of the Steward of Gondor, a tall, blonde elf named Legolas (Orlando Bloom), a fiery dwarf named Gimli (John Rhys-Davies), & Gandalf the Wizard. Together, this fellowship of 9 must face Orcs, goblins, darkness, enchanted forests, the ambiguous Queen Galadriel (Cate Blanchett), treacherous rivers, rocky plains, snow, & mountains, before reaching their biggest test, the Mines of Moria (home of the Dwarf Lords ... and an ancient demon). However ... even if they can overcome all of these dangers, will mistrust 'within' the fellowship be their true undoing?
The reason this film will be much loved is because J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings series is known as one of, if not 'the' best fantasy epic of all time. The series is the 'Godfather' of fantasy novels. Fantasy - because it successfully encompasses mythology, supernaturalism, heroism, & faerie tales. And Peter Jackson's film is the best representative of 'fantasy' that has ever been put on film. Fellowship has everything: adventure, excitement, emotion, passion, & terror (those Orcs nearly did me in). This film not only exhibits great craftsmanship (sweeping cinematography, great editing, scintillating sets, spectacular scenery, gorgeous costumes, & riveting music), but the story is emotionally involving, & the acting is far better than most fantasy adaptations.
Elijah Wood impresses as Frodo; once a carefree hobbit, he now realizes the cross he has to bear {the weight of the world rests on his small shoulders}. Ian Holm is great as a simultaneously sweet, but tortured Bilbo. Viggo Mortensen is wonderful as the human in charge of them all. Sean Bean handles the morally complex Boromir extremely well. John Rhys-Davies is great in providing some necessary comic relief as Gimli the dwarf. Orlando Bloom shows off some awesome bow & arrow skills as Legolas the elf. Liv Tyler is strong as Arwen, an elf in love with human Aragorn. As Galadriel, Cate Blanchett is as ethereal as she is menacing. Christopher Lee is scary as Hell as Saruman, a treacherous wizard, warring with Gandalf for rights to the One Ring. And Ian McKellen rivets as the intimidating, but vulnerable & sympathetic Gandalf. Call him a magical grandfather-type. He is truly awesome.
Can this brotherhood hold off their enemies? Can Frodo find the strength within to complete the task at hand? Fellowship ... has the ability to transport you to an entire different reality; an alternate universe. I was immersed within minutes and was held for the duration; which isn't always an easy feat (especially given it's nearly 3 hour run time). After meeting all the characters, understanding their individual plights, & experiencing every adventure with them, I felt 100% satisfied. Filled with triumphs, sorrows, & joys, Fellowship ... is made with intelligence, care (the project is very near & dear to Jackson), & precision (those special effects are almost flawless). I can't wait for the next 2 film installments. In the meanwhile, I'll read the books.