The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Bean
Primary genre: Fantasy
Secondary genre: Epic
Third genre: Adventure
Nominated for: Best picture, best director, best supporting actor, best adapted screenplay, best art direction, best cinematography, best costume design, best film editing, best make up, best original score, best original song, best sound, best visual effects
Won: Best cinematography, best make up, best original score, best visual effects
Attempting to judge solely “The Fellowship of the Ring” as a standalone film would be an exercise to cinematic vanity. Considering all three books were adapted and shot at the same time, each movie is supported by the same creative team, touch and script cohesion that renders them as a single entity with a distinct introduction, continuation and conclusion.
Twenty years (and more) after its premier, the viewing of “The Fellowship of the Ring” takes us back in a time where studios would take expensive gambles to create brand new worlds for both cinephile and mainstream audiences alike. This epic budget adaptation of the basically unfilmable work of J.R. Tolkien’s oozed visual authenticity in every frame, and offered plenty of innovative special effects, creature, costume and production designs, awesome make up and weapon props along with a luscious cinematography that highlighted the vast landscapes of the then unknown to the rest of the world, New Zealand.
Clearly a labor of love for all of those involved behind and front of the lens, Peter Jackson and his co-writers respectfully remained true not only to the spirit of the source material but to Tolkien’s ideals and timeless values of chivalry, courage, compassion and bravery crafting a world that feels and breathes like a real one. Considering now by many either the best trilogy of all time or one among the best, Peter Jackson’s voracious epic starts with an atmospheric monologue that eases newcomers into Middle Earth culminating in a fantastic (yet brief) battle between good and evil, the likes nobody had seen before; sweeping camera movements, exquisite sound design, massive scope, thunderous choir and dramatic stakes.
From there, the film dips its pace by seeking to establish several lead and supporting characters, their respective motivations and the regions they inhabit although this exposition can be heavy for those uninitiated to such detailed mythological lore. Even at the three hours long, the actual story begins almost half-way through and Jackson seems to be rushing through key events to get to the meat of his trilogy which is towards the second and third part.
Still, it is hard to not admire and feel awe at the top notch craftmanship and dedication that “The Fellowship of the Ring” demonstrates. Jackson directs with the confidence and ambition of David Lean, the heart of Steven Spielberg and the frantic energy of Sam Raimi. Together with Andrew Lesnie’s camera movements, they highlight WETA’s practical model work, especially around Isengard’s transformation from an ancient forest to an industrial like war factory to a jaw dropping effect; every shot bears incredible detail and depth both visually and audio wise.
However, there is more than superfluous eye candy to be found here: the plot is populated by tender and poignant moments that would make a grown man cry and the large cast have to be credited for putting out an unusual amount of effort to sell their scenes together. Those of theatrical background (e.g., Ian McKellen, Hugo Weaving) bring thespian gravitas to lines that at the hands of lesser capable actors could cause laughter while others rise above the occasion to a defining pop culture degree (e.g., Sean Astin is astonishing as Sam, Viggo Mortensen’s stoic approach gives the proceedings a quiet and enduring strength, Sean Bean gets the most meaningful scene and Christopher Lee lends Saruman his superbly imposing voice and film posture).
The action is scarce but when it occurs, it’s effective, thunderous and not child friendly either (a few cases of decapitations and stabbings do occur); a defense escape from the mines of Moria under the brilliant, grandiose and Oscar winning score of Howard Shore is a triumph of directional wizardry in the service of pure spectacle that will test the technical finesse of any home cinema system. There are some hiccups though, particularly the lack of geographical awareness and the passage of time that only avid fans can comprehend, Gimli is too much of a comedic sidekick even on pivotal moments, Elijah Wood’s portrayal of Frodo can be get too soppy sometimes and the final fighting between our heroes and the supposedly much more dangerous Uruk Hai although great and appropriately thrilling, feels like a leftover after everything we have seen so far bearing an abrupt feeling of an ending.
Despite these aforementioned observations though, “The Fellowship of the Ring” is an epic adventure that deserves your attention. An achievement in every sense of the word, it boasts strong values that range from technical panache (e.g., production design, sound editing) to excellent performances in order to provide a complete cinematic experience. Most importantly, it introduces a new world with conviction and gravitas and still to this day, nothing else has come close to match this type of quality, ambition and inspiration.
A grandiose masterpiece of fantasy storytelling
+Cast
+…particularly McKellen, Mortesen, Bean, Astin and Lee
+Poignant and heartfelt moments
+Thrilling action
+Fantastic cinematography
+Breathtaking visuals
+Believable world
+Excellent production and costume design
+Brilliant sound mixing
+Awesome make up
+Shore’s monumental soundtrack
-Too much information for newcomers
-Lack of geographical awareness
-Finale feels anemic compared to what came before