The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Review: A Perfect Start to the Journey
9/10 — The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Pros
- Immersive world-building
- Wonderful ensemble cast
- Great score and landscapes
Cons
- Exposition-heavy opening
Frodo Baggins inherits a ring of terrible power and sets out from the Shire with eight companions to destroy it. Peter Jackson had to convince audiences that a long, serious fantasy could work on screen, and he succeeded brilliantly.
What works
The first act in Hobbiton makes the Shire a place you want to protect, so the danger that follows matters. The cast is flawless, with Ian McKellen’s Gandalf and Viggo Mortensen’s Aragorn standouts, and the New Zealand landscapes, practical sets and Weta’s effects blend wonderfully. Moria and the Balrog remain thrilling.
Where it falters
There’s a lot of exposition up front, and the pacing slows in places, particularly if you aren’t already a fan of the genre.
Verdict
A beautifully made, immersive start to an extraordinary trilogy.
