I will probably get stoned for not finding this classic movie as great as everyone else in the world seems to. Granted, Peter Jackson's vision and treatment of the film are exquisite. Some of the visual effects, the scenery, art direction, costuming, makeup are mind-boggling and surreal as all get out. The acting is impeccable...Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Ian Holm, Sean Bean, and Christopher Lee especially. Liv Tyler and Cate Blanchett are merely decorative in given such small and not fully developed characters. I also had some difficulty with some of the heavy British accents, and the film felt a little too long, and repetitive. There are some brilliant moments though...Sean Bean and Viggo Mortensen's final scene together is truly moving and heartfelt; Sean Astin and Elijah Wood's touching scene in the boat is also very moving and evocative. It is a beautifully done movie. However, since I am not a follower of Tolkien's and view the movie on its own merits, I didn't quite feel the same awe and wonder with some of its contrived mechanisms. But, one can't deny its brilliance in film=making.
RECOMMENDED.