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LORD
OF THE RINGS review by Joseph B. Mauceri
In a time before history, in a place called Middle-earth, a dark and powerful lord has brought together the forces of evil to destroy its cultures and enslave all life caught in his path. Sauron's time has come and he needs only one small object - a Ring that has been lost for centuries - to snuff out the light of civilization and cover the world in darkness. Though he has put all of his power into the search for it, fate has put it in the hands of one -- a young hobbit named Frodo Baggins, who inherits the Ring and steps into legend. With the help of a loyal fellowship comprised of hobbits Sam, Merry and Pippin; Gimli the dwarf; and humans Aragorn and Boromir; and with the guidance of the wizard Gandalf , and elves Arwen, Galadriel and Elrond, Frodo must journey to the Mount of Doom to destroy the Ring. If he doesn't find a way, no one will be safe from Sauron's destruction of Middle-earth. REVIEW: Fimmaker Peter Jackson is New Zealandâs film industry. He is a true fan of the fantastic, as he proved in the bizarre mixture of elements in his equally strange films. After receiving critical acclaim for his film ãHeavenly Creatures,ä Jackson came to the States and landed the Universal feature ãThe Frighteners.ä What should have been a Hollywood film, Jackson convinced producer Robert Zemeciks to make the film in his homeland. It was not a box office success, but it did allow Jackson to play with all the smoke and mirrors of a big Hollywood production. I met with him a short time after, and he gave me a copy of a screenplay he and his writing partner, Fran Walsh, had complete for ãKing Kong.ä Yet Peter was after bigger game still. His real ambition was the massive undertaking of J.R.R. Tolkeinâs ãLord of the Ringsä trilogy. Peterâs adaptation is inspired. He takes minor liberties with the work, simply to offer audiences a film with broader appeal. There are those Tolkein ãpuristsä who could be put off by that, but I think they may have forgotten the true message of the work. A scene that clearly shows the power of the author and director is Gandalf and Frodo discussing the meaning of their destiny and what time they have to accomplish it in. ãEven the smallest of person can make a difference,ä is one of the many concepts that seems to resonate even strong now after the events of September 11th. As evil forces assail the forces of those who would protect Middle-Earth, it is the smallest, less-likely, but true of heart who fights a smaller battle that could decide the fate of all. To make this film succeed the key resides in the visuals. Peter fell back on the more physical and in camera effects to create the world of Middle-Earth, using technology to enhance that, or when he couldnât achieve what he was after by any other means. It gives LOTR a fresh look, a special feel, unlike the ãcannedä special effect films that all seem to have the ILM seal of approval. It offers us an alternative. For all the filmâs cinematic wizardry, Jacksonâs passion for the work is what creates the magic in every shot, and sense his passing that onto his cast. They know they are making something special. The viewerâs experience is only enhanced by their familiarity with the trilogy. However, Peter brings the key elements to the screen and inspires the viewer who is encountering the material for the first time to seek out the works and read. That is a true miracle, the proof of which I have witnessed firsthand in the form of the numerous public transportation riders reading the novels to and from their daily toils. In a film season that has given use ãHarry Potter,ä LOTR shows us what a feeble attempt that is because we are with a literary masterpiece transformed into a cinematic milestone. It inspires audiences to read, and filmmakers to set higher standards. Still, this powerful message is wrapped in wizards, elves, dwarfs, goblins, monsters and madmen, surrounded by massive battles of epic proportions. As I left the theater I understood what the ãWizard of Ozä might have been like if Cecil B. DeMille had directed it. Peter Jackson has secured his place among the greatest filmmakers all time. OFFICIAL
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SYNOPSIS:
New Zealand's one-man film industry, Peter Jackson, brings J.R.R.
Tolkien's masterwork The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the
Ring to the screen.