Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by mvwine (A) on January 08, 2002 at 14:25:38

I am one of those people who are fed up with Hollywood's current fascination with "Blockbuster" type films. In fact, the only films I typically go see are either romantic comedies which I don't expect a lot from, or Woody Allen films that I do expect a lot from.

Having said that, I really enjoyed LOTR. Having been enamored with the books when I was in college, I have always wanted to see a decent movie treatment of them. Well, I don't see how you could have done much better in a three hour movie. Sure, things were left out, but they would have to be, wouldn't they? And, my wife, who has never read the books, and is not a big fantasy/sci-fi fan, liked the movie.

Yes, there were many special-effects, yes there was a lot of fight scenes, but to bring these books to the screen, both are necessities, IMO. But more importantly, there was acting! No Tom Cruise, Ah-nold, or Kevin Costners here. Ian McKellan, Ian Holm, Elijah Wood, and Vitto Morgensten (sp?) all had a chance to act and did well.

No, I don't think it was as good as, say, "Crimes and Misdemeanors" in a pure movie sense, but probably the best book adaptation I have seen. Bottom line - if you enjoyed the books, see the movie.