Monday, December 17, 2001
NYC LOTR Premiere Report - Xoanon @ 00:01 PST
From: Andrew V

I was clean shaven, my shoes were shined, and I felt like a million bucks walking down the red carpet to the 'Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring' Premier in New York City at Ziegfeld Theater.

After a few glasses of wine at a plush hotel pre-party I had no problem approaching all of the stars, who were kind enough to show up, such as actors Elijah Wood, Liv Tyler, Ian McKellan, Sean Astin, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, as well as filmmakers Peter Jackson, Barrie Osbourne, and Philippa Boyens. And of course, New York Governer George Pataki arrived with his family and enjoyed the festivities as well. After the initial bombardment of press and people most of them actually had time to spend a few minutes talking one on one; there was even moment where Frodo and Sam jokingly slipped back into character when Elijah said, "Come on, Sam. Jump on my back!" And he did.

Around 7:30 the lights flashed and so we all made our way back down the red carpet to the theater, a truly breathtaking venue. After a few short speeches by Peter, Barrie, Gov. Pataki and others the lights dimmed down, the audience roared with anticipation, and the film began with no delays (or previews!)

The film opened with a dark prologue narrated by Arwen, and while the preciceness of exactly how the ring passed from one hand to another is not completely true to the books, the sequence and the effects are visually stunning, and you know right away that you are in for something special.

The beginning rightfully took its time with an incredible performance by Ian Holm as Biblo, but the story soon hurried along as Gandalf insisted that Frodo, and Sam, the eaves-dropper, leave instantly. Soon enough they come upon Merry and Pippin in Farmer Maggot's crops, who steal the show with their undeniably appropriate comic relief, and are then forced to join the company, which has come under the immediate threat of the Black Riders.

This excitement lasts for only a short while, as the hobbits soon reach the Buckleberry ferry and make it safely to Bree. From here, the film flies, as is only possible when adapting a Tolkien novel to film. Unfortunately, though, the film spends far too little time developing the subsidary characters, such as Elrond and Galadriel, yet it does do a great job of exploring the characters of the Fellowship. My only surprise was that the film portrayed Borimir as almost a bad guy from the beginning, perhaps helping to soften the blow of his death to an ignorant public.

At Bree, before the Hobbits even get settled in at The Prancing Pony, Frodo becomes panicked when his cousin starts shouting out his real name, rateher thatn Underhill, and Frodo suddenly falls over, releasing the ring into the air which then accidentally falls back down on to his finger. When Frodo reappears Strider grabs him and takes him away, sadly before we can even see the reactions of the locals. It is not until that they are on the road the next day that Sam begins to complain about the mystery of Strider, but this soon passes as they swiftly move through Weathertop and then, with the aid of Arwen, Frodo crosses the Ford. And YES, the White Horses in the roaring river water look awesome; better than that 'Mummy Returns' bull crap.

In Rivendell, Aragorn and Arwen share their first kiss, but this scene passes quickly, as most of the scenes seem to, in order to move the story along. At the Council the Fellowhip is soon formed after an argument breaks out and a reluctant Frodo finally anounces that he shall bear the burden. In this scene in particular, similarly with many others, the film fortunately remains closely true to Tolkien's dialogue, more often than not one is even able to guess the next line!

Also, the blue screen floor becomes very evident in this scene as well as a few others; however, the special effects never do overpower or draw anyting away from the film. In fact, the film creates an interesting interpretation of the world when the ring is on, a sort of windy/sandy, unbearable reality.

After failing to pass Carandrass due to the evil powers of Saruman, who actually plays a large role in the film, the Fellowship embarks on the most riveting scene of the film as they delve into the Mines of Moria. It is entirely edge-of-the-seat thrills from the Watcher in the Water to Gandalf's final showdown with the Balrog.

The journey swiftly moves to the Lady of the Wood in Lothlorien where the company enjoys a short rest, and Frodo, drawn by Galadriel, encounters the Mirror. This scene moves beautifully slow, in speech and action, after a dream-like manner.

With the Felllowship broken, and Men, Elves and Dwarves at odds, Frodo finally encounters Borimir in the wood. Unexpectedly though, Borimir becomes instantly confrontational with Frodo and even tackles him for the ring. Frodo soon escapes, and later, to the advisement of Aragorn, leaves and continues his quest once Sam leaps for his boat in a heartfelt moment of bondage.

After Borimir's death, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli finally form an alliance, deciding to let Frodo and Samwise be while they hunt for Merry and Pippin, who had been kidnapped by the Saruman's Orthanc bread Uruk Hai. At this point it is shocking to realize that the film has reached its final scenes; two hours and forty-five minutes really seems as though it passes in an hour, which should alone imply the brilliance of the experience.

After the show I grabbed my gift bag and got a chance to thank a few of the actors and Peter Jackson as the crowds poured out on to the streets and into the Limo's. It was an experience of a lifetime and worth every penny of it; the World Trade Ceneter Relief Fund received over $314,000 from the event. And I can not wait until the next installment! In the words of Elijah, "Loosen your belts because you are going to shit your pants!"