AT LAST -THE REVIEW -- SkyFriends from the Skywalker Discussion Board

[ Show ]

Support VoyForums

[ Shrink ]

VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 12:02:34 01/16/02 Wed
Author: Wicket
Subject: AT LAST -THE REVIEW
In reply to: Anakin 's message, "The one with the Ring" on 14:31:53 12/21/01 Fri

The Lord of the Rings - a review (be careful! Spoilers!)

Before I will start, I have to admit, that I liked the movie alot and I plan to watch it again. I don't watch a movie often more than once, then it really has to be good. Not that you think I don't like the movie because I have the feeling my negative critique will overcome the positive points. Maybe this is really the case, but I DO like the movie (my point of view).
One thing I have learned: I won't go to the cinema with a friend who isn't as faszinated as myself. The evening started awful. When they at last let us into the cinema, my friend had to fetch some popcorn at first. Of course he can do this, but first I wanted to sit down! He knew how crazy I was about this movie and so I had hoped he would understand it. I first wanted to find my seat and then he could have go for other candies. I wanted to go in there, sit there and stare at the screen. *ggg*
Okay, now about the movie itsself:
First notice: I liked every actor and was impressed how they acted to make their characters as real as possible. There was no one I didn't like at all.

The beginning makes the audience to want more. Is it Galadriel speaking the prologue (would be logical cause she's the oldest elf in Middle Earth in the Third Age)? Anyway, now I know how to pronounce the name Isildur correctly! Sauron is very dangerous and I was impressed how Isildur is cutting the ring from his finger. Elrond was the first person I immidiately recognized.
All went fast, short explanation how the Ring came into the Great River Anduin, but there's no Hobbit named D�agol, and Sm�agol has already become Gollum. You see onlysome seconds of him in the whole movie, but he has impressed me largely. The effects are really good! Pale eyes, big flat feet, small stout figure... that's Gollum at his best.
Cut. The Shire: This part of the movie is very well made. The inhabitants seem to live very naturally and more like farmers (it was like one of Howe's or Lee's illustrations!). The Hobbit children can afford to look out for Gandalf, he will always have something amazingly for them. Frodo's and Gandalf's first meeting shows how good friends they are.
The illusion is made perfect when Gandalf has to watch his head when he's at Bag End. That's really surprising. The tricks seem not to be tricks - in the whole movie it seems to be like "real life". You can't differentiate what's an effect and what's not. *g*
There is another thing about the movie: As often as possible, dialogues from the book are "translated" word by word to the screen, though it may be "original"words in a diffeent place (for example in the movie Gandalf and Frodo are talking about Gollum and the ring in MORIA and not in Bag End as in the book). Thumbs up for that. What was possible made it into the movie. Great.
By the way one special thing: When Bilbo is talking with Gandalf that he needs a holiday, you can see two different portraits on the wall: Bungo Baggins and Belladonna Took, Bilbos parents!
What is left to say? Holm and McKellen proof with their acting that their characters are friends for quiete a long time. Really a good show! The map of the Shire with it's four quarters is causing a few tears from me. It looks like the "original" one!
The birthday party is a lot of fun (Gandalf is dancing! :)). What a pity none of the songs has made it on the screen (but very fine that at least the beginning of "The Road goes ever on and on" was heard when Bilbo was leaving!). The party also gives a very good introduction of Meriadoc Brandybuck (Merry) and Peregrin Took (Pippin). They try to steal one of the fireworks Gandalf brought with him. They enlighten it but for punishment they have to clean the plates and glasses later (though the introduction in the book is different - it even has to, because both are originally only 8 and 11 years old). I enjoyed that much!
Bilbo is leaving (without the ring) and Gandalf has a suspiscion of what the ring might really be. That's why he's also leaving and tries to find out how he can find out or proof this is the One Ring. So he rides to the library of Minas Tirith and studies books and manuscripts. Negative notice: It isn't made clear at all time rushes and finally it are 17 years between Gandalfs first doubts and his certain knowledge of the truth. It also could have been only a month. Frodo looks quiete too young for his 50 years - you can say what you want - but Wood is playing his role very serious and that's also well for his character cause Frodo IS very serious at this point.
Sam is listening at the window when Gandalf and Frodo discuss what to do. So Gandalf is sending Sam with him (I missed his enthusastic "Me? I'm allowed to accompany you and got to see Elves and all? Hooray! Hooray!"). Both are leaving at once. Meanwhile Gandalf is going to Saruman to seek his advice what to do. The Hobbits march to Bree. I love Sams "When I do one more step, I'll be as far as away from home like never before!" (*make notice to myself: I have to see the original version soon!*).
In the fields of farmer Maggot they meet Merry and Pippin who flee cause they have stolen some carrots from him and he's pursuing them therefore. A wild hunt is going on ending after falling down a small hill and reaching the road. Pippins first reaction: "Hey, look! Mushrooms!"
Frodo urges the other to leave the road cause he has a bad feeling. And he's right, a Black Rider is coming! Merry is leading them to the Buckland ferry, which they only reach by very good luck. So: No Crickhollow, no Maggot, no Gildor, no wandering through the Shire lands, no Tom Bombadil, but I see this was the only way (but it is a pity nevertheless!).
In Bree Pippin talks to much (and reveals Frodos name is not Underhill as he had said, but Baggins). Frodo is not singing a song to draw attention to him, but when he tries to stop Pippin to say more, he stumbles and falls. The ring is flling aout of his pocket and when he tries to catch it again, it slides on his finger and Frodo disappears.
A ranger called Strider (Aragorn) follows them to their room and says to the Hobbits there are quiete drawing quiete too much attention to them. Sam doesn't like him and doesn't trust his words. But Strider is really a good friend and helps them to hide themselves.
Gandalf founds out Saruman is a traitor. They have a fight, at last Gandalf is imprisoned on the roof of the tower Orthanc, where's no escape. What can I say to Saruman? I like Lee, and he's looking like I have imagined, but there's also something I can't describe very well, and Orcs breeding in cocoons is something I won't never be really used to I guess. But it was a good idea to show how the orcs and Saruman are destroying nature (trees... I only say "Ents"!). The orcs are well made too, they look really violent and ugly.
Again the story is abridged. The whole cinema is laughing at Pippin: "What about breakfast?" (really hobbit-alike!). Strider is saying no.
"And what about second breakfast?"
Merry's interrupting: "I don't think he knows that."
"What about the 11 o'clock meal? Lunch? Five o'clock tea? Dinner? And the second dinner? Hopefully he knows that?"
Merry shruggs. "I won't bet on it!" *ggg* But they hadn't to starve with the wild apples Strider found. *ggg*
At Weathertop the hungry Hobbits enlighten a fire, which can be seen very well and which draws the attention of the Black Riders to the hill. So there is a fight between the Nazg�l and Strider plus the Hobbits and Frodo is wounded as described in the book. Great: How the Morgul blade becomes only smoke!
I liked the world as seen when you wear the ring. It became clear the worrl is different when you wear it: Bad eyesight, but you can hear better. *ggg* The eye is everywhere.
They are near Rivendell when Arwen discovers them. The flight to the ford is as written in the book, except the fact there is no conversation between the Riders and Frodo, and Arwen (instead of the wonderful Glorfindel) is sitting on Asfaloth, too. A Elbereth! This Elvish blessing is also missing. But I can say something very positive about the Elvish: It�s dubbed too although there are subtitles, but they cared a lot about the true pronouncation. It really sounds like Elvish. Another good thing: Arwens appearence is only short. *ggg*
In Rivendell Frodo is healed by Elrond and Gandalf (yes, Gandalf!). Sam is coming immidiately when he hears Frodo is awake. Gandalf tells him how he escaped from Orthanc (Gwaihir was looking so real!) and the council is taking place, though without good old Bilbo. All later fellowship member are there. Bad thing: It isn�t made really clear why Boromir has come to Rivendell (his dream of the prophecy and his asking for help) or why Gimli and Legolas are there. So it isn�t made clear why they have such problems to decide for the east or the west shore of the Great River Anduin when they set off from L�rien.
Again one question: Are all elves blond? In the movie they are, but normally they are more dark than fair haired. Another question: Is the sword Narsil new forged or not? You can�t see this in the movie (later: After seening the movie a second time: Yes, he IS Wearing the sword! When Frodo loses the Ring on Caradhas, Boromir is putting it up. You can see Aragorn has the hand on his sword - it seems to be the same one as in Rivendell).
Both Rhy-Davis and Bloom seem to feel comfortable in their roles. They act very naturally. Bilbo changing when he sees the Ring again is made very well.
They set off. The landscape is very beautiful, from time to time they see old ruins. The scene at Caradhras is impressing, I nearly froze myself! Frodo slides and loses the Ring. Boromir is helding it up and stares at it. Good thing: In the book Boromir doesn�t touch the Ring at all, but this is a good treatment to show his growing desire for the Ring.
The Gates of Moria look great, the inscription is sparkling in silver. It is Frodo who is solving the �riddle� how to open the gates. The Watcher in the Water nearly catches him despite of all....
The wanderung through the Mines is told like in the book, but the �fool of a Took� isn�t casting a stone into the well. By accident he �throws� a dead dwarf with chainmail into the well. Gollum can be seen again with his famous words: �My preciuosssss....� �My birthday present!� I nearly added in my mind.
At Balins� tomb they are attacked. They need some time to kill the cave troll. Frodo isn�t hit him into his foot, but the Hobbits reveal that they are more stout than anyone thought. Sam was very brave to come so near to the troll! And Merry and Pippin... brave good young Hobbitses... *ggg* For his sake Frodo at last had taken the Mithril Coat... for his sake...
The flee before the Orcs but they would have caught them if not the Balrog had suddenly appeared. The bridge is so narrow! The Balrog himself looks very frightening, and you can't decide if he has wings or not. The bridge is breaking, and they make it by good luck. Great: You can see Gandalf fears the Balrog, but because of the qust he doesn't make one step back. "I'm a servant of the secret fire, flame of Arnor!"
Gimli doesn't want to "get cast" as he says, but Legolas rescues him because he grips after the beard of the dwarf.
The computer tricks are terrific. What most impressed me was the following: Boromir is carrying Frodo on his arms. How does this work? Wood is of course as tall as a human being, but in the movie he is only as tall as a normal Hobbit is. And Boromir is CARRYING him? *amazement* Because we talk of Hobbits, I just love their feet!
"Fly you fools!" - different than I had imagine it, but very impressive. Poor Gandalf!
After the Crebain have turned away, they wander to L�rien. Galadriel is welcoming them. As some kind of "example" it is shown how the fair lady is "talking" with Frodo and it's getting clear that she offers everyone a special thing. Boromir is sweating (what a pity they didn't show Sam turning red because he would prefer to be home and safe...:D).
Now we reach the point that really disturbed me. Frodo is standing in front of the mirror of Galadriel - alone, no Sam! Why? When time has to safed, he at least could stand in the backround! His temptation was as important as the others. What would you do if you could be back in your hobbithole, Sam Gamgee? Would you still go with your master? You guess the answer. And the scouring of the Shire...? What about that? You aren't sure about that....
But, even more important: Galadriel isn't revealing she is a Ringbearer, too, and she's wearing one of the Three! She only gives one hint when saying: "You are a ringbearer. Ringbearers always are lonely!" How could she know this if she WASN'T wearing one of the Three? But could was her turning into a possible second dark lord ("I'll pass the test. I'll go to the West and remain Galadriel.").
I'm impressed by Sean Bean - in his coversation with Aragorn it's getting clear he normally is an honest and noble character just wanting to help his people, who slowly lost trust in a weak stewart. Never before I was so aware of this.
They set off with boats (hey! Frodo wasn't the only one getting a present!). They pass the Argonath and stop for a rest. Now it's happening what I've mentioned before. It isn't really clear why they are so insecure which way to go (which side of the Great River) . Why don't they just continue the journey?
So there is no coucil they held to find the best solution. Frodo meets Boromir (who's collecting wood) near the shore and they have a converstion which ends in the already known way. Frodo flees.
Orcs are coming, and axe, bow and sword get very busy. Boromir comes (as it seems) just in time to rescue Merry and Pippin. Both had made they Orcs chasing them to help Frodo to get away fast (very brave, you two!). Aragorn also knows what frodo wants to do (difference to the book!) and tries to slay as many enemies as he can to give Frodo as much time as possible.
There is the call of Boromirs horn. Before the others can help him, he is shot and killed by some Orcs (okay, his name was Lurtz... *heee? Never heard of him in the book...? New entry! ;D*). But he is still alive when Aragorn is reaching him some minutes later and they leave their argument aside. Aragorn promises Boromir, Gondor and especially Minas Tirith to protect as well as he can.
Meanwhile Frodo is "stealing" one of the boats, but he hasn't thought of Sam who of course counted one and one together. To prevent Sam from drowing (he can't swim but follows his master into the water), Frodo is recueing from the river. Again tears when both hug each other *sigh* Good ol' Sam! *cry*
Both reach the other shore. Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas set off to rescue Merry and Pippin after they have "burried" Boromir.
I love that movie! I hope the year till the second one will be over very soon! (Does someone know when the second part will stop? I have a very bad feeling about this...! *CRY*) .

Namarie, mellon!

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

Hi all! -- Mara, 07:44:16 01/31/02 Thu

MARAAAAAA! -- Wicket, 08:37:56 02/04/02 Mon

Re: MARAAAAAA! -- Mara, 10:11:42 02/06/02 Wed
- lol -- Wicket, 10:55:23 02/06/02 Wed