The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Review
by Homer Yen (homer_yen AT yahoo DOT com)December 21st, 2001
Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring – A Terrific Start of a Long Journey
by Homer Yen
(c) 2001
No one can envy Frodo's (Elijah Wood) insuperable task. An evil ring has come into his possession. But it is no ordinary ring, for it was forged from the blood of the sinister Dark Lord many epochs ago.
While the Dark Lord was vanquished in a mythical battle, its spirit has remained alive and has searched the world over and through the ages to regain the ring. And if it were to find its way back to its master, darkness would cover all the lands, and all of the kingdoms of Middle Earth would fall. The ring must be destroyed by casting it back into the fiery chasm from which it was forged, in the heart of a volcano named Mount Doom.
Frodo, a member of the Hobbit race who are more renown for reticence rather than adventure, understands what must be done. However, the spirit of the Dark Lord sees much. Warns a fanatic, "his gaze pierces cloud, shadow, Earth and flesh." There are few allies to be found and fewer safe passages. And so in this first installment of LOTR, the difficult journey begins.
No, you won't envy his task, but you will be transfixed by this epic quest, which is a vibrant adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings." The film strikes an incredible balance between ambition and gratification. The effort is clearly a labor of love for Director Peter Jackson who ably transports us into a wondrous world filled with creatures that are foul and fey, magical and mystical. The story is replete with visits to fantastical cities, fraught with portents, and populated by colorful characters.
The script crisply introduces the group (the fellowship of the title) of companions that accompany our brave Hobbit on this quest. Of most help is Gandalf the Grey (regal Ian McKellen), an aging but still-powerful wizard with a voice that oozes wisdom, eyes that peer into your soul, and a wrinkled face that tells a thousand tales of adventure. Also on the journey are skilled warriors from the human, dwarf and elf races as well as friends from his Hobbit home who, unfortunately, put their bellies in front of their brains.
Other elements of the film are remarkable. The acting is energetic as if passion could aid their cause. The musical score adds a dimension of beauty reminiscent of angels weeping. Meanwhile, the set design and visuals are downright stunning. There is great attention in the details from the hairy feet of the Hobbits to the ethereal presence of the Elf Queen to the tempest-like atmosphere when Frodo turns invisible.
Alas, it's pace and arc cannot be sustained. It's especially noticeable in the second hour where most moviegoers are accustomed to a two-hour feature length movie (this film spans three hours). With each new location visited, their mettle is tested either by opposing forces or their self-serving desire for power. At some point, despite the changing locales, it seems like a case of déjà vu.
Meanwhile, special effects begin to take over, such as where the party encounters thousands of goblins and even a Demon. It reminded me of scenes from "The Mummy Returns" although the confrontations here are more stirring. But we can forgive the minor setback because of the momentum and the heart that has been developed.
Nonetheless, for those who have long-awaited the release of this film, it's like a dream come true. One can only hope that the next installment will be equally fulfilling. I can't wait to find out.
Grade: A-
S: 1 out of 3
L: 0 out of 3
V: 2 out of 3
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