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I didn't see any poor special effects. None. The balrog did not meet my expectations, however. I expected to be frightened.

That's the problem, though: it is very difficult for any special effect to live up to the subconscious fears built up in your memory from reading the actual text. Tolkien doesn't tell you a lot about what a Balrog looks like; the ambiguity is more frightening than seeing the actual thing.

To be really frightened, I would have to feel the blast of heat from the Balrog on my face, and feel the earth shake beneath my feet as it approached! The actor playing Gandalf made the scene work, though, by conveying with his face that he knows what is coming, and that even he, a powerful wizard, is afraid. It was definitely a case of good acting, and not just special effects, making the scene work.

As it was, I felt that Weta did an excellent job of rendering a Balrog: I believe the wings were there, but understated. Weta interpreted the cloud of darkness around the Balrog as a kind of ash- or soot- cloud which covers and obscures the Balrog, except when the Balrog bursts into flame. I especially liked their rendering of the Balrog's firey sword and firey whip.

I really liked the part where the Balrog is falling, Gandalf is turning away thinking he has triumphed, and we see the flaming whip from below in the darkness, slowly turning and curling around and about to snap and rise up.....it was perfect; even knowing what was about to happen, it felt perfect.

The scene right after this was perfect too, emotionally it felt true to how I remember when first reading that scene in the books (I'll try not to say any more, assuming there are some here planning on seeing the movie who have not read the books and do not know what happens on the bridge with the Balrog).

I have to say, as a lifelong LOTR reader and fan, I enjoyed the movie much more on the second viewing. On the first viewing, I was too distracted because I was noticing all of the changes which Peter Jackson had made. On second viewing, I could ignore this and just enjoy the movie as is. I expect it will get even better for me on the third viewing. Can't wait to see the Two Towers in December 2002!

As a Star Wars fan, I cannot help but be embarrassed by Episode I, when comparing it to FOTR. I did like Phantom Menace, but if you want to start off a trilogy and have seamless CGI effects, evoke powerful emotions and excitement in your audience, you look at FOTR and Jackson, not Lucas.

I agree about the scene following the Balrog confrontation. It was heartbreaking, and hours after coming home, I was still thinking about it(helps to have the music.)

When do they get to Castle Greyskull? in the 2nd or 3rd movie?

On the first viewing, I was too distracted because I was noticing all of the changes which Peter Jackson had made.

That's what happened to me on first viewing too. I'm going to see it again this afternoon. I was going to wait and see it with my sister but...the Ring!...must...go...see movie.