In 1937, J.R.R. Tolkien published “The Hobbit.” Set in Middle-Earth, a hobbit named, Bilbo Baggins is recruited by Gandalf the Grey and thirteen dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield as a burgular. Their plan is to take back the dwarves home from a dragon known as Smaug. During his journey, Bilbo encounters Gollum. He wins a game on whoever guesses the riddle right loses a ring. Bilbo takes it and puts it on, turning him invisible. After an intense journey reclaiming the the dwarves home, Bilbo returns to The Shire living with wealth and writes a book about his travels.
Seventeen Years Later, Tolkien published a follow-up known as, “The Lord of the Rings.” A trilogy presented in three volumes were published in 1954-1955. “The Fellowship of the Ring,” “The Two Towers” & “The Return of the King.”
The books are set after The Hobbit, Bilbo’s ring actually belongs to Sauron. A powerful dark lord who created the One Ring in Mordor. His grandmaster plan is to take over Middle-Earth. One day, Isildur defeats Sauron by cutting his fingers with the ring intact. Just as he’s about to toss the ring into the fires of Mt. Doom from whinch it came, under the ring’s influence, Isildur refuses to throw away only to keep it for himself. Despite losing his body, Sauron’s spirit inhabits within the ring.
Because the ring nearly corrupted Bilbo, Gandalf forces his friend to give it to him. It’s up to Bilbo’s nephew Frodo to take the ring to Mordor. Accompanying is his best friend Sam Gamgee, hobbit duo Merry & Pippin, Isildur’s relative Aragorn, grumpy dwarf Gimli, expert elf archer Legolas, swordsman, Boromir & Gandalf.
In 1978, animator Ralph Bakshi adapted The Lord of the Rings combining the first two books despite naming the title after the first volume. Although it made money, it earned mixed reviews. Sadly, the final volume never came into fruition.
Fresh from making hit movies “Heavenly Creatures” & “The Frighteners,” Peter Jackson and his wife Fran Walsh began development adapting The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. They did their homework reading the books and watched Mr. Bakshi’s movie. Peter’s Visual Effects company Weta Digital experimented with C.G.I. pushing the boundries on Special Effects visually transforming Tolkien’s vision into a cinematic epic which has never been done before.
Peter hired an ensemble cast led by Elijah Wood & Viggo Mortensen as Frodo & Aragorn. All three films were filmed in Peter’s country New Zealand spanning from 1997-2003. Additonal Footage was scrapped due to time constraints. Thankfully, all three films were given Extended Editions.
Released in 2001, (same year Cowboy Bebop aired) The Fellowship of the Ring earned critical acclaim from critics, fans and movie goers alike. Plus, it became a commercial success at the box office. The first movie won four Oscars including “Best Original Score,” “Best Visual Effects,” “Best Makeup” & “Best Cinematography.” It didn’t win “Best Picture.” “A Beautiful Mind” nabbed the big one. Twenty Years Later, The Fellowship of the Ring was selected by the Liberty of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry.
Anyway, Warner Bros. & New Line Cinema are developing an anime prequel titled, “The War of the Rohirrim” with Miranda Otto reprising her role as Eowyn and one of my favorite actors, Brian Cox will portray Helm Hammerhead. The King of Rohan. As a fan of The Lord of the Rings, I wanna share my thoughts on the first film before the upcoming film comes out next Christmas in 2024.
It doesn’t matter if SPOILERS are listed. The Lord of the Rings has referenced or parodied numerous times.
Greater & Less Qualities
Greater: Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Ian McKellen & Sean Bean (one of my favorite actors) all did an excellent job for their respective performances as The Fellowship.
Other Cast Members such as Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Liv Tyler, Ian Holm & Andy Serkis all did a fantastic job for their respective performances.
Peter Jackson & Fran Walsh both did a spectacular job adapting the first volume.
Action Sequences are awesome. My favorite ones are The Fellowship battling goblins and a cave troll. Last but not least, Aragorn, Legolas & Gimli buying time for Frodo to flee from Lurtz. Followed by Aragorn’s fight with Lurtz. The former wins.
Howard Shore (The Departed, A History of Violence, Hugo) orchestrated the soundtrack. I’m giving the music Bonus Points.
Chemistry between members of The Fellowship serves as the main highlight. Gimli’ as my favorite character.
Cinematography’s stunning yet in-depth imagery, makes you wanna immerse yourself within Tolkien’s world. By the way, you can visit New Zealand where they filmed the movies. Save up some big bucks.
Visual Effects still hold up. Weta Digital experimented with groundbreaking technology. Practical Effects were also used.
Prosthetic Makeup transform several extras into various creatures. Lurtz looks like Ariana Grande without makeup.
The One Ring’s a metaphor for drug addiction. In the words of Nancy Reagan. “Just say no.”
Costume Designs were manually designed. They’re top tier.
Memorable Dialogue became memes. Particularly Boromir’s line. “One does not simply walk into Mordor.” Don’t forget Gandalf’s “YOU SHALL NOT PASS!”
After Boromir sacrifices himself to protect Merry & Pippin from Lurtz. The Fellowship’s divided. Aragorn, Legolas & Gimli search for the duo captured by orcs. Frodo & Sam travel to Mordor by themselves. Thus, setting up The Two Towers.
Extended Edition features scenes cut from the theatrical release. They’re a significant improvement.
- Isildur attempts to flee from orcs using the ring by swimming away. He gets shot by arrows.
- Bilbo writes a book about his travels and Hobbit culture like a nature documentary.
- At Bilbo’s birthday party, Frodo has a conversation with him before his uncle leaves The Shire.
- Frodo & Sam camp in the woods. They see Wood Elves leaving to the Undying Lands.
- Merry & Pippin sing at a bar called, Green Dragon. Two old Hobbits discuss a rumor about “strange creatures.” Ringwraiths searching for Frodo.
- A funny moment with Gimli bashful towards Galadriel.
- Aragon and the Hobbits walk in a swampy area.
- Aragorn and Boromir introduce each other.
- During the Council of Elrond, Boromir tries to pick up the ring. Gandalf stops him right in the nick of time.
- Gandalf has a hard time saying the password to Moria.
- Elrond has a chat with Aragorn if the elves can reforge Isildur’s father’s sword.
- As The Fellowship leave Rivendell, Gandalf gives Frodo directions to their destination.
- Before departing Lothlorien, Galadriel gives Merry & Pippin elven bread.
- Celeborn gives Aragorn a knife and informs him they’re being followed. We know Lurtz is coming for them.
Less: I couldn’t find nothing wrong. I’m giving Peter and his crew an Extra Point for making a flawless epic as possible.
The Final Verdict: A, FOR APEX!
The Fellowship of the Ring marks the beginning of an epic trilogy. Each film gets better over and over. If you wanna introduce somebody who hasn’t seen the trilogy, I strongly recommend the Extended Editions.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 