The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

For a film that features a lot of walking, the Lord of the Rings: the Fellowship of the Ring is actually quite good.  There are a multitude of great actors who are cast wonderfully, and Jackson goes out of his way to shoot a beautiful film using trick shots instead of just CGI.  There are a lot of practical effects as well, blending the new and the old.  It's a great beginning to an amazing trilogy.

Let's face it.  If your actors can't handle the job, your movie is going to suffer.  Even with an amazing script and perfect effects, it is the acting that makes the story ring true.  There are few, if any, sore spots in Jackson's casting.  The only person that pulls me out is Liv Tyler.  I'm not sure why, but she doesn't quite fit. She uses a very breathy delivery, which seems at odds with the type of character she is playing.  Otherwise, everyone does an excellent job.  You really can't go wrong when you put Ian McKellen in your fellowship.

When filming a story that features characters of such vastly differing heights, one might be tempted to solely rely on CGI and green screen to illustrate those height differences.  Jackson uses multiple methods, including trick shots and stand ins.  Frankly, the sets he built and the on location filming is a boon to the movie, adding realism to a classic fantasy story.

While Jackson is happy to do things the old fashioned way, he doesn't shy away from new technology.  There is CGI when it is the best solution.  Sometimes it works*; sometimes it doesn't.**  Regardless, Jackson isn't afraid to take chances and use new technology.

I didn't think I needed to cover the story when it came to the Lord of the Rings.  It's amazing and the root of much fantasy that we enjoy today.  I watch it every year when wrapping Christmas presents.  It's a great movie, and it opens up the amazing trilogy.

*The balrog.

**The long shots of the characters on the stairs, shortly before the Balrog appears.