ReaperFett
Dec 20th, 2001, 04:50:07 PM
Being completely untaken up by the hype, I only realised when it was coming out in early December. Still wasn't that hyped. However, saw the chance to see it, and the pull of Peter Jackson(Who directed Braindead/Dead Alive, which I loved) and Sean Bean(A majorly underachieving actor) took me in.
And so, off we went to the cinema. And as we got there, we saw........SIX double decker buses. Luckily, they were going to see something else. In fact, the cinema was near empty, a good thing. This meant virtually no noise- heaven! :)
Anyway, to the film proper.
To me, the best thing in this film was the breathtaking scale of things. Mountains spanning as far as the eyes can see, thousands or Orcs charging towards the legions of men and elves awaiting them, The great halls of the Dwarves miles long in all directions. Every shot was awe-inspiring.
In fact, the direction as a whole was spot on. In something like this, it would be easy to go off filming something unimportant. This avoided this rut brilliantly. I heard Peter Jackson wants to remake King Kong. I hope someone has the guts to let him.
The "look" of everything was spot on to me too. Although I haven't read the books, I do know they influenced most modern day views on the fantasy area, so I did have images of what to expect. And for me, they were near faultless. The Dwarves were short, stout, easy to anger and Scottish. The orcs were large and very barbaric. The elves were tall, thin, precise and poncey. I've always seen Hobbit style creatures as short and fat with hairy feet and a constant want of food, so they were near enough here. The same for the places they visited. Although it reminded me of where the Teletubbies live, I really liked the Shire. The way how all the houses had a grass top, as if to not ruin the scenery, was a really good look. It also added to the feeling that the Hobbits spent their lives in a quite secluded area, safe from outside problems.
The SFX were near perfect. They were never overused, only there where they needed to be. The creatures were great, especially the Troll, who's movements and the like were perfect for something of its size. The invisible parts looked great too, the way how everything blurred. I only really had two problems in this area. The frist was when Gandolf was spinning on the floor, which looked a bit daft to me. The other was when Bilbo's face changed. That just didn't sit right for me. I do understand WHY he snapped and all, and I do think that was good and all, I just think having his normal face would have been better.
Sound effects was another highlight. I liked how all the "monsters" sounded, especially the Wraiths with that scream of theirs, really added to the effect that they were evil. I didn't like when the Elven Queen was talking after seeing the ring though, mainly because I had to listen hard to hear what she was saying.
However, I found the soundtrack to be lacking. It just didn't feel epic enough for me. Soundtrack alone was good, but not for this film, IMO. And to round it off, Enya. I'd prefer a Wraith to sing :)
I liked how the humour in this film was. It never took away from the film, but did have some great moments. This made the Hobbits better characters, the way how they did feel to me as jolly people.
To me, the fight scenes were the best that I have seen since Hard Boiled(which was a completely different style to this). You could really feel that these people were skilled in their work. Sometimes in films, you're told that someone is a great archer, and aside from one setpiece or two, this isn't shown. In this, Legolas was shown constantly as this, be he firing a shot at extreme ranges, quickly firing at multiple people or using an arrow to stab someone before firing the same arrow at another. Same for Aragon and Boromir. I especially liked how they showed thought in their movements. When they are attacked in the Dwarf caves, Aragon reaches for his sword as they close, while Legolas moves back for another shot. Little things like this are what make a fight so good. I also liked how missile weapons were used close up. They didn't suddenly has Legolas as a great swordsman too, he stuck to what he was good as. The Dwarves throwing of axes as he charged in was also good.
My only really problem in this area for me was the fight between Aragon and the Orc. I felt this should have lasted longer, been a real spectacle. As it was, it was good enough, but I feel could have been bettered. I suppose though it was better this way, as he had just been fighting for a long time, before running into that fight. The shortness could have been due to his fatigue. Not that it matters, this area really was a 10/10. So good to see proper fighting, not needing special effects or wires, just hard work and skill. Hopefully this will inspire other films to follow suit.
The acting in this was a joy. Ian McKellen did a great job with Gandolf, and Elijah Wood held the lead well, although his 'rabbit in headlights' look was overused a bit. Christopher Lee did a great job as Sauroman, the way he speaks suited his lines down to the ground. The other Hobbits all did their parts greatly, especially Ian Holm, who really did make you feel for the character(he is currently having cancer treatment I hear, so I wish him a speedy recovery).
The highight for me without a doubt was Sean Bean's acting par excellence. I really did feel for this character. The way how he seems so arrogant on the outside at first, but is shown as someone who did care. His turn and redemption at the end were perfectly acted, and really did feel sad at the end. I really hope he gets an Oscar nod for this. He stood out from the others to me, and deserves it.
I think what set the acting aside from others was the feelings between the characters. You could sense a bond between them all. The one that highlighted that for me was Boromir practicing with the Hobbits. I really could a sense of caring from him and Aragon as they helped these two was evident. The same for the scene with Aragon and Boromir, you could tell that the pair had respect for one another.
I think my main gripes were parts of the story. For one, jumpiness. The fellowship would be on a mountain, decide to go to the Dwarf hold, and POW, there they are. This might work well in a book, but it can feel a bit off when put to theatre reel, IMO. I do understand that they couldn't risk adding new scenes in for risk of being hunted down by rabid LOTR fans, but I wished they had found some way round this.
There was also times in this where I almost felt bored, only kept in there by the superb acting.
There was also one scene which caused a huge problem in my head. I can only guess this wasn't in the book, due to how it was. When Hugo Weaving took the Human King to destroy the ring. He looks at him, says no and walks off. Now, this is a vital ring, it HAS to be destroyed, yes? So, why didn't the elf kill him, and throw it in himself? He understood how important this was, but let him go? Did he expect him to change his mind or something?
I think overall, I was a little dissapointed. Aside from some story gripes, I can't see how they would have changed them. I think half of it was the reviews making it out as the best thing since cinema began. I somehow expected more. This was a good film, a VERY good film, but not great. I think in time I'll like it more. This happened with TPM(which I enjoyed more first time), I liked it a bit until I saw it on VHS and realised how great it was. I hope this happens for this also.
Has it gave me the urge to read the books? TO be honest, no. I don't really think it's due to this film though. I generally don't like fantasy in books for many reasons, so stayed away from this. I'll at least read FOTR to see what I missed, but I don't know about reading the others.
Am I looking forward to the sequels? Definately. I do realise that this is the first third of a saga. In essence 1/3 of a very long film. The first of a planned trilogyis never as good as the middle one(Remember, ANH was made as a stand alone, as it had to sell itself). I think the set up for the next one is great, and does promise more to come. Also, I feel the rest of the story will only improve this one. Try watching your favourite film 1/3 through, then tell me if you enjoyed it. You wont half as much.
I think overall, I'd give this an 8/10, with hopes the sequel can improve on this.
And so, off we went to the cinema. And as we got there, we saw........SIX double decker buses. Luckily, they were going to see something else. In fact, the cinema was near empty, a good thing. This meant virtually no noise- heaven! :)
Anyway, to the film proper.
To me, the best thing in this film was the breathtaking scale of things. Mountains spanning as far as the eyes can see, thousands or Orcs charging towards the legions of men and elves awaiting them, The great halls of the Dwarves miles long in all directions. Every shot was awe-inspiring.
In fact, the direction as a whole was spot on. In something like this, it would be easy to go off filming something unimportant. This avoided this rut brilliantly. I heard Peter Jackson wants to remake King Kong. I hope someone has the guts to let him.
The "look" of everything was spot on to me too. Although I haven't read the books, I do know they influenced most modern day views on the fantasy area, so I did have images of what to expect. And for me, they were near faultless. The Dwarves were short, stout, easy to anger and Scottish. The orcs were large and very barbaric. The elves were tall, thin, precise and poncey. I've always seen Hobbit style creatures as short and fat with hairy feet and a constant want of food, so they were near enough here. The same for the places they visited. Although it reminded me of where the Teletubbies live, I really liked the Shire. The way how all the houses had a grass top, as if to not ruin the scenery, was a really good look. It also added to the feeling that the Hobbits spent their lives in a quite secluded area, safe from outside problems.
The SFX were near perfect. They were never overused, only there where they needed to be. The creatures were great, especially the Troll, who's movements and the like were perfect for something of its size. The invisible parts looked great too, the way how everything blurred. I only really had two problems in this area. The frist was when Gandolf was spinning on the floor, which looked a bit daft to me. The other was when Bilbo's face changed. That just didn't sit right for me. I do understand WHY he snapped and all, and I do think that was good and all, I just think having his normal face would have been better.
Sound effects was another highlight. I liked how all the "monsters" sounded, especially the Wraiths with that scream of theirs, really added to the effect that they were evil. I didn't like when the Elven Queen was talking after seeing the ring though, mainly because I had to listen hard to hear what she was saying.
However, I found the soundtrack to be lacking. It just didn't feel epic enough for me. Soundtrack alone was good, but not for this film, IMO. And to round it off, Enya. I'd prefer a Wraith to sing :)
I liked how the humour in this film was. It never took away from the film, but did have some great moments. This made the Hobbits better characters, the way how they did feel to me as jolly people.
To me, the fight scenes were the best that I have seen since Hard Boiled(which was a completely different style to this). You could really feel that these people were skilled in their work. Sometimes in films, you're told that someone is a great archer, and aside from one setpiece or two, this isn't shown. In this, Legolas was shown constantly as this, be he firing a shot at extreme ranges, quickly firing at multiple people or using an arrow to stab someone before firing the same arrow at another. Same for Aragon and Boromir. I especially liked how they showed thought in their movements. When they are attacked in the Dwarf caves, Aragon reaches for his sword as they close, while Legolas moves back for another shot. Little things like this are what make a fight so good. I also liked how missile weapons were used close up. They didn't suddenly has Legolas as a great swordsman too, he stuck to what he was good as. The Dwarves throwing of axes as he charged in was also good.
My only really problem in this area for me was the fight between Aragon and the Orc. I felt this should have lasted longer, been a real spectacle. As it was, it was good enough, but I feel could have been bettered. I suppose though it was better this way, as he had just been fighting for a long time, before running into that fight. The shortness could have been due to his fatigue. Not that it matters, this area really was a 10/10. So good to see proper fighting, not needing special effects or wires, just hard work and skill. Hopefully this will inspire other films to follow suit.
The acting in this was a joy. Ian McKellen did a great job with Gandolf, and Elijah Wood held the lead well, although his 'rabbit in headlights' look was overused a bit. Christopher Lee did a great job as Sauroman, the way he speaks suited his lines down to the ground. The other Hobbits all did their parts greatly, especially Ian Holm, who really did make you feel for the character(he is currently having cancer treatment I hear, so I wish him a speedy recovery).
The highight for me without a doubt was Sean Bean's acting par excellence. I really did feel for this character. The way how he seems so arrogant on the outside at first, but is shown as someone who did care. His turn and redemption at the end were perfectly acted, and really did feel sad at the end. I really hope he gets an Oscar nod for this. He stood out from the others to me, and deserves it.
I think what set the acting aside from others was the feelings between the characters. You could sense a bond between them all. The one that highlighted that for me was Boromir practicing with the Hobbits. I really could a sense of caring from him and Aragon as they helped these two was evident. The same for the scene with Aragon and Boromir, you could tell that the pair had respect for one another.
I think my main gripes were parts of the story. For one, jumpiness. The fellowship would be on a mountain, decide to go to the Dwarf hold, and POW, there they are. This might work well in a book, but it can feel a bit off when put to theatre reel, IMO. I do understand that they couldn't risk adding new scenes in for risk of being hunted down by rabid LOTR fans, but I wished they had found some way round this.
There was also times in this where I almost felt bored, only kept in there by the superb acting.
There was also one scene which caused a huge problem in my head. I can only guess this wasn't in the book, due to how it was. When Hugo Weaving took the Human King to destroy the ring. He looks at him, says no and walks off. Now, this is a vital ring, it HAS to be destroyed, yes? So, why didn't the elf kill him, and throw it in himself? He understood how important this was, but let him go? Did he expect him to change his mind or something?
I think overall, I was a little dissapointed. Aside from some story gripes, I can't see how they would have changed them. I think half of it was the reviews making it out as the best thing since cinema began. I somehow expected more. This was a good film, a VERY good film, but not great. I think in time I'll like it more. This happened with TPM(which I enjoyed more first time), I liked it a bit until I saw it on VHS and realised how great it was. I hope this happens for this also.
Has it gave me the urge to read the books? TO be honest, no. I don't really think it's due to this film though. I generally don't like fantasy in books for many reasons, so stayed away from this. I'll at least read FOTR to see what I missed, but I don't know about reading the others.
Am I looking forward to the sequels? Definately. I do realise that this is the first third of a saga. In essence 1/3 of a very long film. The first of a planned trilogyis never as good as the middle one(Remember, ANH was made as a stand alone, as it had to sell itself). I think the set up for the next one is great, and does promise more to come. Also, I feel the rest of the story will only improve this one. Try watching your favourite film 1/3 through, then tell me if you enjoyed it. You wont half as much.
I think overall, I'd give this an 8/10, with hopes the sequel can improve on this.