The 'Ring of power' is entrusted to a unlikely hero that must destroy it before its owner reclaims it and brings chaos to the world.

In Brief
In a small village in 'middle Earth', The Shire, lies a race of little people who are friendly and Innocent. Among them is Bilbo Baggins (Ian Holme) who has travelled the lands of 'middle Earth' and seen many things, aided by a magic ring that can turn the wearer invisible. He is now old and beyond such adventures and gives the ring to his nephew Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood). Unknown to either the ring belonged to the dark Lord Suaron who made the ring to rule with supreme power. When Gandalf (Ian McKellan), a wizard and friend to Frodo, discovers the ring in Frodo's possession and its true power he charges the young Hobbit with its destruction as it will bring the world of 'middle Earth' into an age of anarchy if its master is ever reunited with it. To this end a group representing the different races of 'middle Earth', hobbit, Elf, man and Dwarf embark on a long and arduous journey to mount Doom to cast the ring into its fiery heart and destroy it. Frodo can not do this alone and Samwise (Sean Austin), Merry(Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd), his friends come along for the adventure. Lead by the powerful wizard Gandalf they set out to face the perils that lay ahead. Sauron (Sala Baker) all the while has not been idle. He searches for the ring endlessly and is aided by the wizard Sarmon (Christopher Lee) who sees only one victor in the struggle for the ring and plots against the unsuspecting party.

1st Time Around
This film is epic in scale and ambition. It is the first of a trilogy of the legendary book and covers the discovery of the 'One Ring' and the forming of the alliance that have to destroy it. The story is told as faithfully as possible and brings the world of middle Earth to life as do the cast who do a brilliant job. With such a star studded cast this was bound to be a massive hit and with good reason. The set pieces and feel are spot on as are the effects that portray the world and its unusual inhabitants to the full. Films are never as good as the books they emulate but, in my opinion, this does as good a job as could be done. The director (Peter Jackson) obviously cares for the story and has done his up most to make it as believable as possible. It has a long running time but this seems to fly by and as the end credits roll you find yourself aching to see the next in the series. I highly recommend it.

2nd Time Around
This is a long film and this may put people off watching it again. The Dungeons & Dragons crowd will enjoy the film immensely and be able to watch it endlessly but for the others I'm not so sure. This is the only real down side to the film however.

10/10