- Film Review
- Reviewed By Andrew Collins
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5 out of 5
In the first chapter of director Peter Jackson's $300-million adaptation of JRR Tolkien's classic trilogy, Middle-earth is the fictional setting, but it's no backdrop; it's a living, breathing universe, in which mild-mannered hobbit Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) is forced to turn hero when he inherits the ring of absolute power. Assisted by powerful wizard Gandalf (a perfectly cast Ian McKellen) and a ragtag group of warriors and friends, he must journey across mountain, forest and plain to return the talisman to its source. The computer-generated images transform the New Zealand locations into views that will take your breath away and only someone with a pathological aversion to fantasy could fail to be absorbed and transported by this stunning, sincere and frequently terrifying adaptation.
Plot Summary
Epic fantasy adventure based on the first part of JRR Tolkien's classic trilogy, directed by Peter Jackson, and starring Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen. Frodo, a mild-mannered hobbit, inherits a ring that gives the wearer absolute power. Fearful that Sauron, the dark Lord of Mordor, will steal it, the wizard Gandalf orders Frodo to return the ring to its source where it can be destroyed.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Frodo Baggins
- Elijah Wood
- Gandalf the Grey
- Ian McKellen
- Arwen Undómiel
- Liv Tyler
- Aragorn / Strider
- Viggo Mortensen
- Samwise "Sam" Gamgee
- Sean Astin
- Galadriel
- Cate Blanchett
- Elrond
- Hugo Weaving
- Boromir
- Sean Bean
- Bilbo Baggins
- Ian Holm
- Saruman the White
- Christopher Lee
- Gimli
- John Rhys-Davies
- Peregrin "Pippin" Took
- Billy Boyd
- Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck
- Dominic Monaghan
- Legolas Greenleaf
- Orlando Bloom
- Sméagol / Gollum
- Andy Serkis
- Sauron
- Sala Baker
- The Ring
- Alan Howard
- Albert Dreary
- Peter Jackson
Crew
- Director
- Peter Jackson
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