The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

This was my first time sitting to watch this movie in general from beginning to end in probably close to 15 years.  It was great to watch this again through a different perspective from having more time passed than the amount of time I was alive when I first saw the trilogy.  I'd say I have a much deeper appreciation for the film in every aspect of the film craft.  The cinematography was phenomenal in transporting you to this world, not only with how it helped bring the sets to life but also put so much emphasis on the moods and vibes encountered throughout the journey.  This also goes hand in hand with the shot choice of Peter Jackson especially with the wide shots that build the world in showing its vast beauty but also give a feeling of foreboding with the fellowship's journey through it.  

Of course the acting has to be mentioned for how well everyone embodies their character.  The main performers I want to mention are Elijah Wood and Sean Bean.  For how much Elijah Wood was made into a meme from this role, it's honestly quite amazing how well he does.  I've seen him in so many films before and since this one and he plays wildly different characters and still with all that I can come back and watch this and see him as Frodo and he carries the movie so well.  Honestly I feel he really is one of the best actors that I never see anyone talk about and should definitely receive more recognition for how well he owns all his characters, at least from the films I've seen.  Now Sean Bean is another actor I'd like to recognize here with his portrayal of Boromir. He has such range and I feel does get some recognition but deserves more.  Maybe it's just me but there's nothing I respect more with acting ability than to see the range that some actors have especially when it feels like every character played is so well executed that they immerse you into the story just as much as the sets and the scenery.

One scene I found so endearing were the scenes in the beginning with the Shire as it's such a great calm before the storm that also serves as pure escapism from the real world.  Everything is so peaceful and wholesome and all their problems seem so petty in the way of comparison to that of problems not only faced in their world outside the Shire but also what we face day to day in our world.  It's such a great depiction of childhood and growing up seen in this story and going from its bright color palette to the slow darkening of colors and lights the further they get from the Shire, is just so well executed.  And of course what makes it even more immersive with the rest of the film is the great music composition.  It made me think of some of the classic Elder Scrolls soundtracks like that of Morrowind, which came out around the same time but I definitely feel the Lord of the Rings score definitely had an influence on future Elder Scrolls games that came out after the trilogy like Oblivion and Skyrim.

Now one criticism I do have from this one is with some of the editing, specifically some of the special effects, like in some of the action scenes where the frame rate drops which feels at first like it's meant to create a vibe but the more I watched this one and saw scenes that didn't do that, it felt like an odd choice or a potential cover up of some sort of issue in filming.  Another one was the lighting choices which seemed like something done in post like when Galadriel is tempted by the ring.  It kind of broke immersion but the rest of the movie was done so well that getting back into it was no issue at all.  One effect that was done really well was when they were in Rivendale and Bilbo was tempted by the ring in his classic jumpscare.  That one was so well done it still is creepy to see it in context of the film even after seeing it so much over the years being memed to death.  All I can say is I can't wait to rewatch The Two Towers and Return of the King.