The most powerful and elegant fantasy film of the year is Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," the first of three films to dramatize J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved trilogy.
From the film's compelling, visually stunning prologue, it's clear that we're in the hands of two master storytellers: Tolkien and Jackson.
Jackson's film is a triumph of casting. It's nearly impossible to imagine a finer choice for the role of Frodo Baggins than Elijah Wood. As the young hobbit who answers a life-changing call to adventure, Wood combines wide-eyed innocence and a deep sense of wonder with innate intelligence and warm humor.
Ian McKellen is superb as Gandalf the wizard, clearly relishing the role that is great grandfather to "Star Wars'" Obi Wan Kenobi and "Harry Potter's" Dumbledore. This wizard is no mere guardian mentor, but a heroic participant in the adventure with fears and demons of his own.
The spirit of Tolkien runs deep in the performances of Ian Holm as Bilbo Baggins, Viggo Mortensen as the tarnished hero Aragorn and Cate Blanchett who brings a stunning intensity to the elf queen Galadriel.
The characters' inner lives are as rich as the film's spectacular production design and Jackson's direction moves effortlessly from quiet moments of intimacy to scenes of operatic grandeur and heart-stopping adventure.
An approaching flock of black birds hasn't been this ominous since Alfred Hitchcock was around, and the heroes' escape from an underground cave is like nothing this film fan has ever seen.
"The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" is quite possibly the best fantasy adventure film ever made. At the end of its two and a half hours, I sat stunned, dazed and hungry for more.
From the film's compelling, visually stunning prologue, it's clear that we're in the hands of two master storytellers: Tolkien and Jackson.
Jackson's film is a triumph of casting. It's nearly impossible to imagine a finer choice for the role of Frodo Baggins than Elijah Wood. As the young hobbit who answers a life-changing call to adventure, Wood combines wide-eyed innocence and a deep sense of wonder with innate intelligence and warm humor.
Ian McKellen is superb as Gandalf the wizard, clearly relishing the role that is great grandfather to "Star Wars'" Obi Wan Kenobi and "Harry Potter's" Dumbledore. This wizard is no mere guardian mentor, but a heroic participant in the adventure with fears and demons of his own.
The spirit of Tolkien runs deep in the performances of Ian Holm as Bilbo Baggins, Viggo Mortensen as the tarnished hero Aragorn and Cate Blanchett who brings a stunning intensity to the elf queen Galadriel.
The characters' inner lives are as rich as the film's spectacular production design and Jackson's direction moves effortlessly from quiet moments of intimacy to scenes of operatic grandeur and heart-stopping adventure.
An approaching flock of black birds hasn't been this ominous since Alfred Hitchcock was around, and the heroes' escape from an underground cave is like nothing this film fan has ever seen.
"The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" is quite possibly the best fantasy adventure film ever made. At the end of its two and a half hours, I sat stunned, dazed and hungry for more.