"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.

[Brian Kopp DPM]

Dittos, Darth. Dittos. Words cannot describe the experience of this movie. Simply the best movie I've ever seen.

Here's another review thread:

Movie Review—The Lord of the Rings

[ClearCase_guy]

In Tolkien's books, bad things happen to men who use magic. Gandalf is not a man, but an Istari -- a spirit sent by Manwe to protect the people of the Middle-Earth. (Tolkien geeks please correct me if I'm wrong.)

Well, you're not very wrong. Certainly you have the Istari's role perfectly correct. My only caveat with your comments is that I believe Tolkien did not oppose the use of magic per se. Rather, he opposed the use of magic to dominate either men or nature. Both Sauron and Saruman are guilty of these sins. Anyone who took the ring and tried to use it "for good" would also be guilty of this sin.

The contrast between Gandalf and Saruman is most instructive. Saruman settles in at the fortress of Isengard and eventually tries to become a lord of men. That's where he goes wrong. Gandalf, however, never tries to have any personal power. Rather, Gandalf puts fire in the hearts of free people so that they themselves may rise up and fight against evil. Gandalf's use of magic in this effort is not improper because he gains nothing more than the diminution of the forces of evil in the world. This is a gain, of course, but it is not his personal gain.

[wireplay]

I have not read the series and I haven't seen an movie in the theater in 2 years (and prior to that it was 2 years). Due to pressure from some friends, I went to the opening show. Wow! is all I can say. I watch my fair share of movies (heck, even have my own home theater) but this movie is truly a gem. No flaws in my opinion. Put this down with the originalStar Wars in my opinion. Definitely a keeper for all time. The crowd sat there for 3 hours in awe and then broke into clapping at the end. Beautiful, beautiful epic.

[newzjunkey]

I didn't read the book. I know The Hobbit from when I was young but really nothing else.

It was too long--no, it just *FELT* too long. It came across as ponderous, and repetitious with nary a hint as to where it would end in a "cliff-hanger". There was even no drama that Gandolf was going to be snared by the demon's whip. It had high points and lows yet seemed to have a frustrating lack of character development (likely due to cut scenes I've seen mentioned). It was hurt by obviously repeated shots and some dodgy effects now and again but saved by the strength of the acting. At a noon showing, I squirmed to stay alert. Others around me dosed off and when it was finally ended the audience gave tepid applause. There were too many instances of motion blur, the physical film print maybe wasn't the best. The score added nothing.

This was obviously a film *for* the book series' fans and won't find much of an audience beyond that I fear. The acting was OUTSTANDING, the story solid. I know Darth claims it's far above "Titanic" but not for one second in "Titanic" did I wonder what time it was, did I dwell on CGI issues--it captured and held my attention. Director Jackson wishes he had Cameron's pacing skills.

This film was greatly hurt by never conveying to the film-only audience where the film was meant to go, where this act or chapter would conclude. It came rather suddenly and once I got there it made sense. So, really, it would almost seem better on a second viewing if only because you have a rough idea of the scope of the story (never an issue with "Star Wars" or "Titanic" or other films).

I was curious but not overly impressed. I am curious where the next film goes and will likely see it. I do want to see this one again but I won't break my neck trying to get back to the theatre. I might just wait for video or DVD.

[aruanan]

Thanks. I'm looking forward to seeing it. What ever happened with the traffic camera?

[aruanan]

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.

Good books grow as you do. You're long overdue reading TLOTR again.

[CARepubGal]

This was an AWESOME movie. One of the best I have seen! It followed the book without getting bogged down in detail. Fantastic scenery and the Balrog was a fantastic monster. I am going again this weekend. This was worth 3 hours of sleep.

[aruanan]

There was even no drama that Gandolf was going to be snared by the demon's whip.

Think very carefully about how and why the above statement is inane.

[newzjunkey]

I can't disagree more. Please see Post 84 for some of my thoughts on the film as someone who DID NOT read the book(s).

FWIW, I have seen rarely more than one film per year for the past 6 yrs or longer? I actually made an exception this year and was reminded by LOTR *why* I don't bother going. So much promise... oh well.

[Jeremiah Jr]

Exodus 26
²⁴They shall be coupled together at the bottom and they shall be coupled together at the top by one ring. Thus it shall be for both of them. They shall be for the two corners. ²⁵So there shall be eight boards with their sockets of silver--sixteen sockets--two sockets under each of the boards.
²⁶"And you shall make bars of acacia wood: five for the boards on one side of the tabernacle, ²⁷five bars for the boards on the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the far side westward. ²⁸The middle bar shall pass through the midst of the boards from end to end. ²⁹You shall overlay the boards with gold, make their rings of gold as holders for the bars, and overlay the bars with gold. ³⁰And you shall raise up the tabernacle according to its pattern which you were shown on the mountain.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

Thanks for your input re: scorcery. It doesn't necessarily have to be a chick flick, I liked Behind Enemy Lines (no flames, please, everyone-- I know the story had holes in it.) I'm coming from the latter camp you mentioned, my children don't read or watch Harry Potter.

Anyway, I may give it a shot and go see it.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

Thanks.

[nutmeg]

Bump for reading later...

[Doctor Doom]

My fellow fictional bad guy - you are bang on in your review.

(did you see the preview for the new Time Machine? I'm psyched.)

[Cascadians]

We went to the 12:30 showing today, which was the 1st.
We noticed that the audience was largely men @ 17-50 years old. Lots of geeks! Happy geeks. Only one child in the theatre. A few families with older teenagers. But it must have been men 20:1 to women.
Heard a lot of snippets about playing hookey from work, LOL

[HairOfTheDog]

Glad to hear about the men-to-women ratio... I will be sure to dress nice and wear mascara. ;~D

Waterproof of course.

[KneelBeforeZod]

Orcs makeup stolen from the bog witch in Legend.

Replacing hobbits with jar jar binks would not change movie noticibly.

Replacing hobbits with cute widdle pwuppies would not change movie noticbly.

All elves look like the guys in Nelson.

Hobbits unable to refrain from touching each other.

Cate Blanchett: Why?

Liv Tyler: hubba hubba

Hugo Weaving: cool to see him expand (a bit) from The Matrix

final judgement: See it! go to a BIG theater, sit WAY back.

[Cascadians]

You reminded us: one of our great reliefs was that neither one of us cried much, armed as we were with kleenex and baggies. We're a long-time married couple, and husband was impressed with Aragorn-Boromir scene and Galadriel; wife still thinking about those trees in Lothlorien. Both still in a swoon of happiness about this movie. Sure we could nitpick but we'd rather just go see it again tomorrow -- if we can get in. The LINE when we came out ... !!!

[malakhi]

Wow, awesome review! I can't wait to see the movie. Couldn't get tickets for tonight, and with the holidays I won't have a chance to go until next Wednesday. But I've already prepurchased my tickets!

[Rainbow Rising]

Thank you for putting me on your list! The earliest I can see this film next week, once Christmas is over. For now I'll have to content myself with reading these reviews, LOL.