Review: Lord of the Rings - Parts 1 & 2

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Jamie Bell on December 16th, 2003
The first two films were by far the two best films ever made, and with the third one on the way we are looking for an amazing Trilogy. The first two movies have captured the minds of so many, and inspired many people including myself to get back in to my writing, and film production. I found the FOTR and TTT to be much more enjoyable than the books. Peter Jackson made a good choice in cutting out all of the singing and poetry in the films, to make it a lot more enjoyable for the viewers. The LOTR have also showed us how much CGI has come on since it was first used in films all those years ago. There are some parts in LOTR where you just can't tell the difference between the CGI and the real footage. Gollum has proved to be a very successful charictor, and a wonderful choice was made for Andy Serkis to play Golem/Smeagol. The wonderful voices that Andy can produce really brought the charactor to life.

Iain Lee (iain.lee@risetv.co.uk) on December 15th, 2003
I thought they was well wicked.

peter on December 15th, 2003
I was at the Lord of the Rings Exhibition in London yesterday and proudly said to people looking at the picture of Eldoras - my family home is no more than a hour's drive from there. Little old New Zealand!!

Fred Scott (fred.scott@risetv.co.uk) on December 15th, 2003
For those of you who enjoyed the first two chapters of Peter Jackson's adaptation, brace yourselves. 'Return of the King' is simply one of the most visually spectacular films that I have ever sat through - not only does it stand alone as a classic, but it only acts to emphasise the first as a three hour establisher and 'The Two Towers' as a film ebedded with the atmosphere saturated with post-911. The battle of Minas Tirith has already been lauded as finest battle sequence in history - that is a given. However for me it was a beacon-lighting sequence 40 minutes in that was simply superb - it builds the anticipation and is set against a New Zealand that has become a stable diet of this trilogy. There are so many positives and so few negatives, save an elongated epilogue and a couple of gratuitously crowd-pleasing moments (in fairness though, I did get carried away with the wave of applause that erupted after Orlando Bloom/Legolas' champagne moment). As soon as ROTK ended, I had already decided that on it's release, I shall be returning for a second viewing - a hasty decision that I haven't made since seeing 'High Road to China' when I was four (in my defence, it was one of Brian Blessed's finest hours. Kind of). Strangely, I also had a massive sense of relief. Part three is like the final twist and turn on a rollercoaster when they try and finish you off physically. It worked - I was exhausted. I really wanted to not like this one. But I couldn't. In fact, I challenge you to find someone who cannot drain any level of excitement from ROTK. If you succeed, check their pulse. Book your ticket now. And when it's all said and done, hope it's not too late to get down to Ladbrokes - clear the mantlepiece Mr.Jackson, the Oscar is finally coming home.

Rickj on December 15th, 2003
The first two were ahead of their time, and the third is gonna be well out there. Bring on wednesday morning!

Lock on December 15th, 2003
if Jackson holds true to his claim that the third one is the business - i'll be happy :D, extended edition fest before checking it out on thu morning 11am ouch

Cass on December 15th, 2003
The first two movies were absolutely amazing and the last one is going to be even better. Off to see a marathon of the extended versions of the first two films on Chritsmas Eve before watching one of the first screenings of ROTK in Australia on Boxing Day. I can't wait!