Citizen Critique -Lord of Rings

by Matt Milligan


Having had one too many cups of coffee only added to the excitement of going to see one of the most anticipated movies since the dark ages -- The Fellowship of the Ring. Having read the books one too many times, I was ready for a movie that deviated like most books-turned-movies from the original manuscripts.


Needless to say, as the panoramic view of Middle-earth assailed my eyes, I couldn't help grinning as time and time again, director Peter Jackson led me not only through the books, but enveloped me in them. Shot in New Zealand, the landscape is breathtaking, with unbelievably high jutting towers and Everest-like mountains.


The mixture of computer-generated monsters and real actors is unbelievably smooth. The depth of emotion in the actors is very realistic, and sometimes it is hard to figure out if the characters are good or evil because of the pull of the One Ring. This movie is eye candy from start to finish, whether you are a polished Tolkien scholar or clueless when it comes to hobbits.