"The Fellowship Of The Ring": review by Darth Sidious

The presently elated state of my gray matter | December 19th, 2001 | Darth Sidious

[Darth Sidious]

Well, as of this moment it's now been an hour since we (the Lovely Lisa and yours truly) left the theater, after the 12:01 am first showing of The Fellowship Of The Ring. To say that a fun time was had by all would be an understatement: the place was packed! One knot of fans came in costume as Aragorn, elves etc. I brought a sign saying "Gandalf 3:16" I waved around before the movie. Lots of "Lord Of The Rings" discussion, including the ubiquitous "do Balrogs have wings" going on. I'd say the crowd ranged in age from 16 to 75 easily, with probably 20-35 being the most in attendance.

Oh yeah, and the movie... the movie...

At this point I want to say something - a three word phrase - but I'm trying awfully hard not to take the Lord's name in vain. It's commonly used, however, to indicate that one is completely and utterly overwhelmed by an event. And gosh-darnnit, I want to say those three words, over and over and over again... until it becomes absolutely clear to you, Dear Reader, that this writer has indeed become completely and utterly overwhelmed by this particular event.

Lisa had never done a midnight showing of a movie before. I'd been telling her the past few days that this would be "fun". 'Course, this comes from a guy who camped out overnight for tickets to Star Wars: Episode I a few years ago too, so my own senses may be kind of inured to this sort of nonsense. But to someone blessedly belonging to the realm of normal mortals, the idea of seeing a movie at midnight - unless it's Rocky Horror Picture Show - is still a bit peculiar. Still, the Episode I first showing was loads of fun, and Lisa trusted me enough to give this a whirl.

I'm thankful she went along for the ride. Years from now when we've a houseful of children, the little tykes are going to be in awe that Mommy and Daddy were among the very first to watch The Fellowship Of The Ring. As much as someone would be in awe of their parents being the first to see The Wizard Of Oz or Gone With The Wind.

Okay, the temptation is too great, but fill in the blank: oh my ___.

Oh my ___ oh my ___ oh my ___.

This is easily the best movie I've seen since The Patriot, and maybe the best I've seen ever. That'll have to wait 'til later this morning, when the full experience has "soaked in". Peter Jackson has raised the bar higher than any film has since the original Star Wars in '77. Indeed, The Fellowship Of The Ring may be the finest marrying of story and special-effects in film history: a wonderful fruit of the seed that was planted from George Lucas's endeavours. And if Star Wars is ever supplanted as the predominant saga of cinema, there is no more suitable an heir in sight than there is The Fellowship Of The Ring.

So if you're wondering how the first chapter of cinema's The Lord Of The Rings gets rolling without making a film of "The Hobbit" first, you're in for a treat. The first eight minutes sets the stage for both newcomers to the saga and die-hard Tolkienites, introducing the Rings of Power and who they were meant for, and how the One Ring wound up in the hands of Bilbo Baggins (Sir Ian Holm). I *loved* this part, because from the getgo it's laying down a history for what's to come. And probably the spookiest is when it shows the nine of the race of Men, who are given nine rings: I've always wondered who these nine guys were, what they looked like before they turned into the Ringwraiths, and somehow Jackson's interpretation was exactly what I imagined. If only the same could be said for Sauron...

Ahhhh, Sauron... the Lord of the Ring. We see him forge the One Ring to ensnare the others, and then in action during the most BRUTAL battle you could imagine. After you see Sauron, Darth Vader is a wuss. Darth Maul is a wuss. Darth I'm-A-Drunken-Soccer-Hooligan-And-You're-Shite-I'm-Gonna-Break-Your-Skull is a wuss even.

Okay, anyhoo... the story goes from a beautifully orchestrated intro to Frodo (Elijah Wood) meeting Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellen) en route to the Shire for Bilbo's 111th birthday party, and...

Ahhh, okay, look, it doesn't matter who's playing who in this film. I know who McKellen is, I know he played Magneto in X-Men and he's openly homosexual, and if anyone else has a problem with that, fine. I know a few Christians who have vocally said this is reason enough to boycott the film. Well, as a fellow believer I'll go on record as saying this film hits the mark closer than any other interpretation of Tolkien's overwhelmingly Christian-inspired work. That's NOT McKellen on the screen, that is Gandalf. Hugo Weaving isn't in this movie: Peter Jackson convinced Elrond to come back East across the Sea to play himself: the real Weaving is busy filming The Matrix Reloaded, so that can't be him.

I'm going to cut to the chase about The Fellowship Of The Ring, about how to watch it and get the most from it. It doesn't have Tom Bombadil and Goldberry in it. The barrow-downs scene is nowhere. The Council of Elrond is greatly abbreviated from how it's depicted in the original text. Arwen has a far greater presence than she has in the novel. A dozen differences and more will be enough to rankle some die-hard Rings fans... but don't worry about those. Go into The Fellowship Of The Ring with the mindset that this is a historical film... and as faithful to its historical matter as is Apollo 13 or Gettysburg. Tell yourself that this is a cinematic translation of the War of the Ring. That it doesn't matter if some of those things did or didn't happen inside the Apollo 13 capsule: they made it home and that's all that's really important. So too is it with this movie: tell yourself that this is one translation of a real historical event, just like Tolkien didn't invent the story, he merely translated it from the Red Book of Westmarch (collecting dust somewhere in some forgotten corner of the Oxford library). That this is a depiction of events as they happened 9,000 years ago. It doesn't matter that no one will ever find the ruins of Barad-Dur or Rivendell on this earth, because they aren't to be found.

But the metaphors and analogies in this movie are all quite true. This is a story centered on a metaphor for absolute power, symbolized in an innocent-looking gold band. It's a warning against seeking power for power's sake. It's about resisting the temptation of power, of refusing to yield to the lust for glory. And it's about the strength that is found, not in the gods of this world or the might of fortresses, but in accepting with the most abject humility that one must do what one can to stand against evil - however meek or mean the effort - in the time God has given us. As I have come to discover those aspects of life, so too do I believe that The Fellowship Of The Ring is a very true and real story... if only as analogy to our struggle against our own ring's temptings.

[HairOfTheDog]

Thanks for the first report!!! I am very excited about this!!!!

[SuziQ]

For our family this movie has the distinction of being the first for which we purchased tickets in advance - over the Internet no less. We're waiting until Friday when it fits the kids' schedule...

Well, we didn't get them over the Internet, but we DID get them Monday night for a Friday afternoon showing. The oldest gets in from college EARLY Fri. morning, and the 2nd oldest flies in from college in Pittsburgh at 1:10 pm Fri., and we're driving back home and then ALL SIX of us are going to the movies!! It will be great to go to a movie that all of us can watch and enjoy together.

Sir SuziQ even passed up an outing with a group at work who are going to see the movie tomorrow at noon to wait and go with us on Friday. WHAT A GUY! We're all excited about the film. I even gave Sir SuziQ one of his Crhistmas gifts early (the soundtrack to the movie), so he could tape it for a business trip today. Yeah, we're all hopeless geeks, what can I say?

[Rebelbase]

Mmmmm....Me precious....mmm..you like, good.

[Reborn]

Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait.....

[Cascadians]

AAhhhhhhhhhh, a FReeper has seen, liked, loved -- a little over 4 hours and we too will enter Middle Earth!

THANK YOU

[AmishDude]

I brought a sign saying "Gandalf 3:16"

That is great! Very funny.

I am a sci-fi fan who has not read the books, having always "meant to". Now I will not until I see the movies because it sounds like I will get even more out of the books AFTER the movies.

I know that Tolkein was a devout Christian but it is my understanding that Norse mythology really inspired his work. While Christianity did inspire him, Tolkein rejected the notion that he was doing any sort of allegory in any way.

Lord of the Rings, by Tolkein's own admission, is not any sort of "Christian story" so I don't see why this movie should be boycotted any more than any other movie. Of course, any actor has committed sin, even the most devoutly religious one. If the issue is that they publicly flaunt it, well, a lot of straight actors do that, too.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

Okay. Here's the deal. Never read any Tolkien. (My mom, 71, has read all three of this particular trilogy.) I've read some C.S. Lewis. My husband, (not a reader by any stretch) says he doesn't think I'll like this movie because it contains scorcery. But my understanding is that the story is allegorical, in much the same way as the Narnia books are. So settle a marital disagreement, who is right? Thanks in advance. There are SO few movies I care to see. I also loved The Patriot (although I hid my eyes during one battle scene).

[Brett66]

Bump.

[dogbyte12]

I absolutely loved the movie, but then again I am a fan of the books. My wife thought the movie was great, but not spectacular, but kept raving about how wonderful she thought Natalie Portman's dresses were in the Star Wars trailer. Mars and Venus thing I suppose. We both thought Viggo Mortensen did an amazing job as Aragorn/Strider. She never read the books, but found his acting amazing. I was very pleasantly surprised by Elijah Wood. He became Frodo for me.

[genew]

Last night was the first time I ever went to a midnight movie. I have waited over thirty years to see 'The Lord of the Rings.' It was well worth the wait. Thanks and kudos to Peter Jackson and company.

I could quibble about condensations, ommissions and the like. But it would be for nought. The movie works so well and on so many levels, and tells Tolkien's magnificent tale so very beautifully, that to concern oneself with such specious notions would be indeed craven.

Tomorrow, I'm taking my stepson to see it when he gets in town for Christmas vacation. For those of you who get to see it, I think you will agree that three words sum up the experience as the post credits are shown: ROLL THE SEQUEL!

[RobFromGa]

I'm at T-60 and counting... I can hardly wait, glueing fur to my feet as I type... I went and saw '78 version on opening day, so much higher expectations this time... (not really glueing fun on feet but sounded like fun)

[blackbart1]

Great review but I will miss Tom Bombadil and Goldberry and the grand council. But I can't wait to see the movie. Thanks for taking the time and reporting to us.

[SauronOfMordor]

We're taking the kids to see it this afternoon right after work!

[beowolf]

An excellently written review! I will probably even (shudder) go to a theater to watch it for the full effect.

[Wm Bach]

Go see this movie today.

oKAY! i'm GOING! At 6:30.

[Deb]

You got the "mindset" exactly right since Peter Jackson says he went into this as an "historical retelling".

Does your wife agree with your review?

In the theatre you saw it in, was the picture bright enough to see Aragon in that first shot at the Prancing Pony?

[mtngrl@vrwc]

My husband and I went to the midnight showing here on the left coast and it was just awesome! For anyone who has read the books and is already a fan, prepare to be blown away! The casting was superb, the special effects knocked my socks off!

The crowd who stayed up so late to be the first to see this incredible movie was like any other I have shared a movie with. There was total silence in the theater throughout the entire three hours, with the exception of some quiet crying during some parts of the movie. Otherwise, I didn't want to even get into the package of candy that I paid $2.75 for, the whole theater would have heard me. The audience was enthralled. Oh, except for the end when they broke into applause!

[Darth Sidious]

Yeah Darth, I'm with you on the entire review except for that Patriot comment.

"The Patriot" was the best movie last year, maybe the best with real substance since then. Someone asked me in private mail if "Fellowship Of The Ring" was okay to take a teenager to: if you have no problem with the violence of "The Patriot", then "Fellowship" is spot-on perfect.

What is it people have against "The Patriot" all of a sudden? :-/ That's like THE FReeper movie :-)

[Darth Sidious]

Does your wife agree with your review?

She won't be my bride free and clear 'til this summer, Lord willing :-) But with the clarity of mind that comes with morning, both of us agree: this is the greatest movie we've ever seen.

In the theatre you saw it in, was the picture bright enough to see Aragon in that first shot at the Prancing Pony?

Hmmm... dunno. Wasn't looking, but shall this afternoon :-)

[KC Burke]

Thanks for the first hand account. As it has been 34 years since I read this and the story still remains bright in my memory, I'm looking forward to seeing it during the holidays.

The concept that the three films will have an eveness of character and style due to being filmed in sequence, is something that enthuses me. It will make each part something to await and savor. Often sequels are soooo different from the original that they don't stand as an overall Work.

All works that elevate the reality of Virtues, those things often beyond human reason, understanding or logic, invoke the Transcendant Order in our world and never fail to inspire me.