
San Francisco Chronicle
In spite of its stunning special effects and beautiful art direction, the film draws its power mainly from the essence, humanity and skill of its lead actors.
Full reviewThe first part of Peter Jackon's New Zealand-made fantasy trilogy begins in the bucolic bliss of The Shire, where a short, furry-footed folk called Hobbits dwell. When Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) comes into the possession of an evil magical ring, he is forced to leave home under the advice of a wise old wizard, Gandalf (Ian McKellen). Frodo and three of his kinsfolk are advised by the Elves that the ring must destroyed in the fires of Mt Doom, deep in the dark land of Mordor. So a fellowship sets out on the quest, comprising of four hobbits, two humans, an elf, a dwarf and a wizard.
In spite of its stunning special effects and beautiful art direction, the film draws its power mainly from the essence, humanity and skill of its lead actors.
Full reviewUnlike so many big budget productions, the first movie instalment of JRR Tolkien's Middle Earth trilogy doesn't condescend to a teenage audience, but creates a sophisticated universe...
Full reviewPutting formula blockbusters to shame, Fellowship is impeccably cast and constructed with both care and passion.
Full reviewMr. Jackson and his collaborators have created a film epic that lives and breathes...
Full reviewAfter sitting through the first three hours, I would have happily sat through another five.
Full reviewSpectacular scenery, stupefying effects and epic scope... a dream come true.
Full reviewMade with intelligence, imagination, passion and skill, propulsively paced and shot through with an aged-in-oak sense of wonder.
Full reviewJackson's flights of fantasy bow before Tokien and are quite unlike anything you are likely to ever see on film.
Full reviewThe Fellowship of the Ring resembles from certain angles nothing so much as a 178-minute electric mandolin solo.
Full reviewIt would be an insult to say the picture merely lives up to its hype; it crashes the meaning of hype, exposing it as the graven image it is.
Full reviewSo well-made and well-cast that one can have no reservations about the rest of Jackson's monumental creation.
Full reviewPeter Jackson, the New Zealand director who masterminded this film (and two more to follow, in a $300 million undertaking), has made a work for, and of, our times. It will be embraced, I suspect, by many Tolkien fans and take on aspects of a cult.
Full reviewThe sheer scope and star quotient of the film, accompanied by positive reviews, could place the film as a dark horse contender in several categories.
Full reviewJackson deserves to revel in his success. He’s made a three-hour film that leaves you wanting more.
Full reviewThe Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is available to stream in Australia now on Stan and Netflix and Google Play and Prime Video and Apple TV and Foxtel and Binge and Ritz at Home and Prime Video Store and Paramount+.
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