Years: 2001-2003
Director: Peter Jackson
Country: New Zealand/U.S
Language: English
Perhaps it is a little unfair to review an entire Trilogy of films at once, especially a trilogy as expansive as Peter Jackson's epic Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Then again each film is a continuation, each film beginning where the last one ended. I see Lord of the Rings as one 9.2 hour long film, assuming we are basing the length on theatrical release. Between them they have won a staggering thirty Academy Awards, winning seventeen, eleven of which were just for Return of the King.
The Lord of the Rings is about an ancient Ring thought lost for centuries has been found, and through a strange twist in fate has been given to a small Hobbit named Frodo (Elijah Wood). When Gandalf (Ian Mckellen) discovers the Ring is in fact the One Ring of the Dark Lord Sauron, Frodo must make an epic quest to the Cracks of Mount Doom in order to destroy it!
At least that's what the first film Fellowship of the Rings is about. Really this trilogy should be called The Lord of the Rings and His Other Useless Friends. Aside from Frodo, Borimir (Sean Bean), Sauruman (Christopher Lee), Gollum (Andy Serkis) and Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin) the rest of the characters are either incompetent (Gandalf), comedic fodder (Gimli) or pointless filler (Aragon, legolas). There was no real need for these side stories because the main and most important story is the relationship between Frodo and Sam, and their quest to bring the ring to Mount Doom. A very big theme in this trilogy is "self sacrifice", this is why Borimir is important because he emphasizes the great evil of the ring by attempting to take it, and the great importance of destroying it when he dies for it.
Shot in Jackson's homeland of New Zealand, there is little doubt that this film is of immense technical perfection. The score is not only flawless, but it is memorable. It sticks in the memory, even if you hear a vague tune on the street you'll remember which film it came from. The battle scenes, though mostly filler, are incredibly epic, filled with unique and sometimes startling images that provoke the creative mind. Unfortunately the acting was not as great. While I love Ian Mckellen, his character Gandalf was not impressive though admittedly great acting could not have saved that character. Elijah Wood's acting wasn't good either, everytime Frodo was in trouble the camera would close-up on Wood's face and it was the same expression EVERYTIME! Sean Astin completely stole the show, I'm surprised his career hasn't risen to extreme heights after this film.
In conclusion, while The Lord of The Rings Trilogy is a great cinematic achievements, it just doesn't interest me enough to watch again. There are great "self-sacrifice" and "friendship" themes in this film, Sam and Frodo's relationship, which sometimes borders on the homo-erotic, is one of the strongest in cinematic history, but that's really the only reason to watch the film. I feel most of this film's praise is based on hype and technology, sure it looks good and at moments it has heart, but a 9.2 hour trilogy with 2 hours of heart is just not worth it. 3/5
Note: I haven't read Tolkien's books, so this film review is isolated. It is in no way a reflection of Tolkien or his novels. His own estate didn't even approve of Jackson's adaptations.
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