Andrew Rodger's The Fellowship of the Ring Review
December 29, 2001

Hobbits and wizards and elves - oh my. The eagerly anticipated adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's best-selling story of Middle-earth is a wonder to behold. Not only is the story excellent (time-tested tales have a tendency to stand up a little better, don't they), but the visual effects are stunning and grand.

The film follows Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood), a Hobbit who has come across the One Ring - an evil ring that has the power to control all of creation. Along with a fellowship of eight others, Frodo embarks on a mission to destroy the ring in the fires of far-away Mount Doom in order to save the world. Along the way, the fellowship runs into all manner of disaster and catastrophe and are hunted and tormented at every turn.

Directed by New Zealand native Peter Jackson, "Lord of the Rings" features a cast perfectly suited to tackle a film of this magnitude. The presence of Ian McKellen as the wizard Gandalf is particularly strong. His showdown with the dark wizard Saruman is one for the ages. It's not often that you get to see an old gray-haired man get beaten up. Orlando Bloom as the elf Legolas also brings a quiet dignity to the film that many other big-budget Hollywood epics severely lack. Also showing with strong roles are Cate Blanchett, Sean Astin, Liv Tyler and Viggo Mortenson.

Fans of fantasy films will love this sweeping saga. Fans of beautiful movies will love this well-crafted gem. And fans of Tolkien's books will probably just drool uncontrollably - if for no other reason than because the popular trilogy has finally been given the big-screen treatment it deserves. In fact, if you don't enjoy this movie, then you should check your pulse. Move over Indiana Jones. This is one of the best action-adventure films of all time.