CPE Film Review by Alex

"Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" is finally on the big screens. This is the first part of a trilogy based on the famous novel by the scholar J.R. Tolkien and directed by Peter Jackson.

 

The film recounts a story set on an imaginary world called Middle Earth where, besides humans, live elves, wizards, dwarves, dragons and a great deal of other strange, magical or creepy beings live. The whole trilogy is about a fellowship that tries to hide and destroy a powerful ring forged centuries ago by a dark lord named Shauron. Although (no comma here) there are many key characters in this movie, the leading role belongs to the ring bearer of the fellowship; a hobbit named Frodo. Frodo, as well as other key characters who they meet in their journey, are tempted and corrupted to an extent by the power of the ring and the cruelty and malice of Shauron that accompanies this power.

 

Though a science fiction film, the main themes of the story include friendship, courage, self-sacrifice, humility and love. The strength of the movie can be found in the way that these themes are combined with special effects and a group of cliffhangers, most of them breathtaking to the point of being slightly scary. Apart from that, the whole movie is a masterpiece, from the excellent actors' performance to the enchanting Celtic-like film score.

 

The most difficult bet for Peter Jackson was the adaptation of a very long novel in only 3 movies. There are far more characters and scenes in the book than you can see in the movie and a vast amount of background information that relates to the ring and the fellowship. Although/ Even though (do not repeat the same linking words) the movie version does not stray at all from the story line of the book, Jackson has won this bet by carefully selecting the parts that should be cut and cleverly using a number of flashbacks throughout the movie. Having some very positive feedback from both readers and of the book and first timers/ viewers, I think we should expect nothing less than a blockbuster.