Review of "The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring"
Summary:
A plot summary and critique of the film "Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring" directed by Peter Jackson. Computer effects and symbolism are described.
The movie begins with a scene of the Ring which later creates the entire plot of the film. Next it shows the second owner of the ring, Bilbo Baggins, and how the current owner, Frodo Baggins a hobbit, manages to receive it. The movie then begins to incorporate action as Frodo and his three friends must travel to a far away town named Bree, to create the fellowship of the ring. Once there Frodo joins up with Gandalf, Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas, and Gimli who become the Fellowship of The Ring. This fellowship also includes Frodo and his three friends Sam, Merry and Pippen. The Fellowship then takes off to reach Mordor where the ring was created. It is only here that it can be destroyed to rid middle earth of its evil presence. On their way to Mordor they encounter many obstacles such as having to cross through a mountain full of Orcs (evil creatures) which leads to Gandalf's death, and a dark forest full of Uruk-hai (also evil creatures), which kill off Boromir. It is here that Frodo leaves the fellowship as it is falling apart and he and Sam take off alone to bring the ring to Mordor. This is the end of the movie and it leaves the viewer hanging as there is a sequel to come.
In the film the Fellowship of the Ring the director Peter Jackson displays the characters and scenery very well. The use of amazing computer graphics allowed scenes that are not actually possible seem real and believable. The set designs are magnificent and really make the viewer feel like they are actually in the movie. The fact that the novels were written during world war two may have influenced the high numbers of battle scenes but they were extraordinarily performed and made the movie very thrilling. The characters also make the viewer feel like they are in the movie with their incredible outfits and outstanding performances. Jackson managed to create a suspension of disbelief and create a story which seems true to the audience through his settings and characters.
In the film rhetorical devices are experienced many times. Allusion can be seen many times as the plot is fairly related with Tolkein's personal life. When the novel that the film was based on was written, World War II was occurring and this may have encouraged Tolkein's battles scenes and the fight between good and evil. Archetypes are shown by the hobbits struggle with the dark forest. This is archetypal of mankind's struggle with nature and how mankind is trying not to harm nature. Another archetype used is the wizard Gandolf who looks over the inexperienced hobbit Frodo. This is archetypal of a father figure who is always looking over his child. All of these rhetoric devices help to make the film more deep and meaningful. They help to make the story more believable just as Jackson's perspective also does.
The perspective in the film helps to make the viewer feel more sympathetic toward the characters in the film. The perspective is on the side of the fellowship particularly Frodo Baggins and Sam. This is done so that viewers will get the idea that the ring is evil and the fellowship is good.
Jackson manages to use this perspective to make us also feel closer to Frodo as he goes through his hardships and almost feel sorry for his misfortune to have become the owner of the ring because of the suffering it creates. This makes the viewer more interested in the film and helps again to create a suspension of disbelief.
The use of merry and happy tones near the beginning of the film is used to show how middle earth was happy. When the presence of the ring is introduced the tone suddenly becomes dark and dangerous. This dangerous tone is present all through Frodo's journey with the fellowship. Jackson presents the tone of the original novels very well helping the viewer better understand the idea of the story.
For this film director Peter Jackson recreated one of the greatest trilogies in literary history. Although the plot was originally created by J.R.R. Tolkein the views are also taken on by Jackson as he created it. One point Jackson is trying to get across is that no matter how horrible the world will get, there will always be someone who will try and bring order back into the world. This is shown through both the fellowship and Gandolf himself. The fellowship is trying to destroy the ring and therefore destroy evil and bring back order supporting this idea. Gandolf also supports this idea because he has the chance to cross over to the evil side but he decides to do what is right and fight for the fellowship. Another point that Jackson is presenting is the fight between good and evil. This is shown throughout the film by the good characters in the fellowship working against the evil lord Sauron to destroy the ring and bring peace back to middle earth. Jackson may be saying that evil and good also exist in our current society and that it is up to the good side to stop corruption and bring peace to the world. This may be peace between entire countries or as small as peace between two individuals.
The movie was full of action and drama which helped to interest myself during the movie. Although it was quit lengthy the use of drama and great scenery also helped to intrigue me. I believe that the changing tones of the movie helped to create a better overall impression because it kept the story moving at a fast pace and kept myself on the edge of my seat. The incredible computer graphics also increased the quality of the film as they made scenes thought to be impossible possible. All of these features helped to create a movie which made me think it could have actually happened and made me very interested. Overall this movie was very good and has features that can not be seen anywhere else.
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