Review The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - Still the Greatest Adventure Ever Told?
Let's be real - this isn't just a movie, it's an experience. Peter Jackson's 2001 masterpiece The Fellowship of the Ring isn't just watching a film; it's moving to Middle-earth for three hours. Even after 20+ years, that opening narration by Galadriel still gives me chills every single time.
I recently rewatched the extended edition (because let's be honest, that's the only way to watch it), and wow - it holds up SO well. The practical effects, the insane attention to detail, the fact that they actually built most of these sets... it puts most modern CGI-fests to shame. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
🎬 What Makes It Special?
The Cast - Perfection
Elijah Wood is Frodo Baggins. I can't imagine anyone else delivering that perfect mix of innocence and determination. And don't even get me started on Ian McKellen as Gandalf. That "YOU SHALL NOT PASS" scene? Still one of the most iconic moments in cinema history.
The whole fellowship just clicks:
- Viggo Mortensen as the mysterious Aragorn
- Sean Bean as the noble Boromir (RIP 😢)
- Orlando Bloom making archery look cool before it was mainstream
Middle-earth Feels Real
The thing that blows my mind is how lived-in everything feels. The Shire looks like somewhere you'd actually want to retire. Rivendell is literally heaven on earth. And Moria? Absolutely terrifying in the best way possible.
Jackson filmed in New Zealand and it shows - those landscapes are basically another character in the movie.
⚔️ The Good Stuff
Practical Effects Magic
The forced perspective shots to make the hobbits look small? Genius. The massive miniatures of Helm's Deep and other locations? Mind-blowing. They built actual sets instead of just green-screening everything, and it makes ALL the difference.
That Howard Shore Score
The music is literally iconic. The Shire theme makes me want to quit my job and become a farmer. The ominous Mordor theme gives me anxiety (in a good way). It's probably one of the greatest film scores ever composed.
Emotional Weight
This isn't just some fantasy adventure - it's got real heart. Boromir's redemption gets me every time. The friendship between Frodo and Sam is goals. Gandalf's "death" had entire theaters crying back in 2001.
🧝♂️ Minor Quibbles
Pacing Issues?
Okay, I'll admit it - the first hour can feel a bit slow if you're not fully committed. There's a lot of walking and talking and more walking. But it's world-building! It pays off, I promise!
Some Dated CGI
The cave troll in Moria looks a tiny bit video-gamey by today's standards. But honestly, it's still better than most CGI from that era.
Who Will Love This?
- Fantasy fans (obviously)
- Anyone who appreciates practical effects
- People who like movies with actual substance
- Those looking for epic friendship goals
Who Might Struggle?
- People with short attention spans
- Those who hate long movies (extended edition is 3.5+ hours!)
- Anyone allergic to elves and dwarves
My Rating: 10/10
No joke - this is pretty much a perfect film. It set the standard for fantasy movies and honestly, nothing has really topped it since. The character development, the world-building, the emotional payoff - it's all there.
Pro tip: Watch the extended edition for the full experience. Yes, it's long, but you get so much extra character development and world-building!
🎪 Where to Watch
- Currently streaming on Max (formerly HBO Max)
- Available for rent/purchase on Amazon Prime, Apple TV
- The extended edition Blu-ray is worth every penny
