Reviews

Interesting comical actor direction... But nothing even close to the wit that we can read in the book. Another one of those sad cases where the book, much longer than a 2-hour adaptation would allow, is twice more interesting than the movie. And it's always sad, for someone who read the book before, to notice that they didn't hesitate to remove most of the secondary plot lines, and even change the configuration of the infamous "Yellow Room" (which was very important to the plot).

But my worst worry would be for some of the actors they hired. Father Jacques is played by a man with an accent (what a stupid idea!) and a very bad actor. But even worse is Robert Darzac -- described as elegant and charming in the book, he also wears a mustache... Which he doesn't in the movie. Of course, the movie also forgets to render him as even remotely elegant or charming. And did I mention he's a very bad actor too? Well, maybe he just did what he was asked to do... Then it's probably the director's fault.

Do yourself a favor and read the book. It's excellent (and basically the book that inspired Agatha Christie in her youth), and doesn't need any of these fancy "inventions" that plague the movie.

It is not an easy task to review this movie, as it was not an easy task to make it. Judging from the book, it might even be impossible.

Honestly, when looking at Peter Jackson's work, if you haven't read the book, you can't help but think it's a really good heroic fantasy movie.

But if you have... Well, maybe you were a little boy like Jackson when you read it, and you liked it for its cool fights and monsters. Yeah. Or maybe you were a grown-up who liked all these little details that set LOTR apart from the rest. And, frankly, when Jackson said he had to drop some of the best elements of the book (Tom Bombadil for example) because Tolkien's works were too rich to be adapted in their entirety, he forgot to tell us that he would use this extra time to add even more fight scenes, an orc-goblin hybrid (I don't remember this ? Not that it is of any interest...) and some stupid jokes.

Really. What's with all the time the characters spent in the mines ? Sure, that looks good and impressive. But how about the *characters* themselves ? How about developing Samwise ? He's supposed to be fond of elves in the book. It isn't even mentioned once in the movie. Merry and Pippin ? Why are they so immature here ? Basically everyone was forgotten. Even Bilbo. He's supposed to be a joyful man, his bitterness shouldn't be visible, and as much as I like Ian Holm as an actor (although he seems to be doomed with characters which are as boring on film as they are fascinating on paper -- see From Hell), Jackson's Bilbo is not the Bilbo we know. Actually no one is the character we know. There are some good scenes, some characters are actually nicely depicted (Galadriel comes to mind), but that's all.

Just a beautiful piece of a movie, with no soul at all. We want our mushrooms !

I can't understand how one can state this is the best period movie of the 90's. I even bought this movie because of this comment. I deeply loved Sense and Sensibility, and I liked Remains of the day, both with Emma Thompson. I hated her in Howards End. I couldn't understand WHY she married Wilcox, and how she could forgive him for everything he did during the movie... What a waste of time.

The DVD "spoils" the end by saying it's a "triumph". I don't see where the triumph is. The only thing I saw is that I wanted the screenwriter and the director to pay for having spoilt 143 minutes of my life. If you want a really fantastic period movie about love, watch Sense and Sensibility ! Don't waste your time on this... Believe me, I appreciate 95% of the movies I watch, but this one was one of the worst. Now, do whatever you like... But you're warned.

I saw Mulan, Anastasia and Prince of Egypt in a row. I loved Mulan, I loved Anastasia even more, and now... Well, I must say that Prince of Egypt is probably the best of all. I'd even say, the best animation feature ever produced in the USA (aside from Batman : Mask of the Phantasm).

It is a real piece of art, aiming to entertain everybody, not only act as a baby-sitter movie for kids. There aren't even any pets here. Only a great story, moving scenes, credible characters and fantastic music and storyboard. You will love this one.