The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

One film to rule them all. Compared to the following parts this is smaller in scale. Instead, the magnitude of the quest is conveyed through the pitch-perfect telling of the fascinating myth (Blanchett's narration is amazing). So sit back, marvel at Jackson's epic realization of Tolkien's world, Shore's beautiful score and the fine performances all round (McKellen is Gandalf the Grey), and let around 3½ hour fly by. It's as good as fantasy gets. About as good as filmmaking gets, actually

An extraordinary cinematic work. Grandly conceived, brilliantly executed, and wildly entertaining. And, of course, it's only the beginning.

My favourite of the three movies, and books not surprisingly. Amazing special effects with beautiful shots and fantastically entertaining action. Great performances from all involved, especially Sean Bean. This movie, and this trilogy, will still be seen decades from now.

Does wizard fights, crazy elf magic, and demonic pursuers all before the DnD party even gets together - and then it does it all again with more volume. But my favorite part of the entire rings trilogy is still the first setting, a perfect Kinkadean painting of the Shire in all its carefree country bumpkin beauty. "It is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life." I'll smoke some pipeweed to that.

On a personal level, I don't care much for high fantasy epic. But you can't deny that this is an awe-inspiring start to one of the most powerful film trilogies in history. Stunning visuals and effects and a skillfully adapted script and plot come together to give J.R.R. Tolkien's original all the justice it deserves.