The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: Review

I have absolutely no idea why it has taken me so long to get around to watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy. For months, I have been putting off this incredibly beloved collection of movies due to their hugely intimidating time-length, but with the release of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug being tomorrow, I decided it was time I sat down and began the Tolkien trilogy. 

Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood)

The Fellowship of the Ring marks the first film in the trilogy, and begins the tale of Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood), a young Hobbit from the Shire. Frodo's elderly relative Bilbo resides in a small house within the Shire, a province contained in Middle-Earth, where the Lord of the Rings is set. Hundreds of years prior, several rings were forged and given to the many races that inhabit Middle-Earth, but there was one created which held strength over all of the others and gave its wearer unimaginable power. The One Ring was adorned by the dark lord Sauron, until he was defeated and the ring was passed between several wearers, till it was discovered by the afore-mentioned Bilbo Baggins (Ian Holm). When a wizard named Gandalf (Ian McKellen) comes to visit however, he soon realises that the corruption the One Ring holds is taking its toll on Bilbo, and so he intervenes by passing the ring onto Frodo. So begins Frodo's journey to destroy the ring in the flames of Mount Doom, accompanied by several warriors such as Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen); led by Gandalf the Grey himself. 

This is only a brief description of the film, as it runs for well over three hours (if you watch the extended edition like I did). What surprised me most about Fellowship of the Ring was how much actually takes place within it's run-time. Usually, the first part of a trilogy is simply to set the scene and introduce characters, but this first instalment contains several iconic moments and quoted lines which are instantly attributed to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, even by those whom are yet to watch it (which seems to be a very small minority now). Because of this, very little of the lengthy run-time feels unneeded, something which is truly commendable in such a long movie. 

Gandalf the Grey (Sir Ian McKellen)

Another rather astonishing feature of Fellowship of the Ring is how it doesn't contain any dislikeable characters. Considering the vast cast of heroes and villains featured, it would be expected that at least a handful would be acted poorly or become tiresome, but the focus rarely falls upon a single character long enough for them to grow boring. Even the ring itself is personified and envelops all around it, which asserts the dire need to destroy it. 

Despite The Fellowship of the Ring being made back in 2001, almost 13 years ago, it has aged considerably well. The expansive, panoramic shots of the New Zeland countryside (where the trilogy was filmed) are stunning and really show how lengthy the journey undertaken by the protagonists is. Some of the special effects and CGI moments are noticeably ageing, but for the most part it looks nothing short of spectacular. 

Verdict
I feel genuinely disappointed that it has taken me so long to begin the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Not only has this first instalment warmed me to the whole 'fantasy' genre, but it has got me very excited to continue the sequels (and prequels) all the way up till I am ready to watch The Desolation of Smaug sometime soon. If there is anybody who still hasn't watched The Fellowship of the Ring, I urge you to do so, because the lengthy run-time aside, it is definitely a phenomenal movie. 

"I made a promise, Mr. Frodo. A Promise."