Sometimes it takes three movies to illustrate an epic fantasy. The quest to conquer dark forces that have reawakened comprises this tale. It's a masterpiece of production three times over with The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King.
Why Watch Them All?
The story is presented in such a way that audiences unfamiliar with the classic by J.R.R. Tolkien will get enthralled with the land called Middle Earth and its various inhabitants--hobbits, elves, dwarves, wizards, men, wraiths, orcs and more. With a total running time of 557 minutes on 3 discs--each with its own additional features disc--it manages to keep your interest throughout. Unlike the virtual world in The Matrix movie that Neo would to to, it takes place in a "real" world. Much of it is shot outdoors featuring stunning snowcapped mountains and lush valleys of New Zealand. The producer gives attention to detail in order to create sets of realistic and varied environments. Also, unlike the last 2 movies of The Matrix series, it does not disappoint with second-rate sequels.
If you enjoy great adventure and danger these may be the movies for you. All three involve battle scenes with the last 2 films focusing on colossal battles. The original books' author was an infantry officer himself. What you won't see are skillfully choreographed, John Woo-style martial arts. Instead you will see sweeping landscape shots from overhead. You'll see inner fortitude displayed in many characters, even when you thought they were out of it. You won't see a modern world displayed. You'll be effortlessly transported to an old world that portrays various races of beings, with divergent histories, living in a great, untamed land. The imagery is so surreal that computer-generated creatures and miniatures had to be used. Many people play the characters except for the character Gollum. He is entirely animated; because of his lack of exhibiting the depth a human actor could offer he was not a favorite of mine.
The first movie of the trilogy is preempted by a helpful history of how the ring came to be.This trilogy begins where the book, The Hobbit, ends. I would recommend that you read that book as well; however, it's not necessary to understand this trilogy. Hobbits are likeable little people with thick, hairy bare feet. They live a simple life in a pastoral village. Frodo Baggins is the young hobbit chosen to embark on a journey to return the One Ring to the dread land of Mordor. It is critical that the ring be returned to where it was created in order to destroy it before its evil creator gets it for power. The One Ring corrupts all who bear it; so they must resist putting it on their finger. If they put it on their finger it makes them invisible to all except Sauron, the dark force dwelling in Mordor, who searches for it. Sauron uses 9 ringwraiths who are the faceless Black Riders on armored steeds hunting Frodo. A fellowship of 9 companions forms around Frodo to travel with him to the fires of Mount Doom. Along the way they must traverse rocky peaks, travel through tunnels where a giant spider waits, deal with a battalion of orcs, cover mountainous terrain with flowing lava and choking volcanic ash, and more.
The fellowship cannot all remain together the entire journey. They branch off in smaller groups, as circumstances dictate, to handle armies they encounter and battles that begin to occur. The action and intensity slowly build as the forces of light are finally roused to take on the dark forces in a bid to save Middle Earth. The dark forces realize that their ability to take over all of Middle Earth and her inhabitants may be drawing to a close. This causes much suspense and creates surprises for the fellowship to defeat. A highlight of the films is when a great battle ensues between the armies of Sauron, led by the Lord of the Nazgul, and the forces of a place called Minas Tirith with support from surrounding lands.
Lord of the Rings.
Collect all three and watch this epic fantasy created by a producer who kept the spirit of the trilogy alive as the author intended. A grand quest to finally conquer dark forces that are reawakening gives this tale a sense of finality. The imaginary world it plays out in is equally as grand.
 Aragorn. |  Legolas. |  Arwen. |
 The One Ring. |  Gandalf. |  Frodo. |
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Characters to Know
I want to introduce you to some of the important characters you will encounter. There are quite a few, so knowing a few of the names up front will help you understand the story better.
Frodo (a hobbit and an unlikely hero) is the naive son of Bilbo Baggins.Bilbo, who originally found the ring is now too old to return the ring to its creator.
Sam is Frodo's constant companion from home as well as on the journey.
Merry and Pippen are a pair of fun-loving hobbits who join Frodo on his journey and get a chance to prove their true worth later on.
Gandalf is an old friend of Frodo's. He is a good wizard with great wisdom. He begins as Gandalf The Grey. Later in the journey he becomes Gandalf The White.
Aragorn is also known as Strider. He is a warrior who is heir to the kingdoms of men. He has a love in Arwen, an elven princess. He leads a disparate group of elves and dwarves to save a king.
Legolas is the son of an elven king and journeys far with the fellowship and fights honorably.
Saruman is a bad wizard. He controls the city of Isengard.
Gollum lives in a cave of The Misty Mountains. He was a ringbearer himself for years. He is now treacherous to Frodo and Sam as he is warped and wicked, consumed by greed to acquire the ring again. He, however, knows the way to Mount Doom.
One more note, the popularity of these films has even spawned a tour around various sites in New Zealand that features places that appeared on film in the trilogy. That might be a good trip come to think of it!
Where to get Lord of the Rings collectibles
These stores carry a variety of collectibles, music, toys, games and videos of The Lord of the Rings.
 | Gioie.it - Italian Jewels Online
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 | KBToys
At KB Toys you'll find games, toys, video games, books, party supplies, electronics, stuff for kid's rooms, & baby, videos & more. KB Toys allows you to shop by age, brand & character. Some KB Toys brands are Fisher-Price, LeapFrog, Learning Curve, LEGO, Little Tikes, Hot Wheels, Mattel, Disney, Playskool, Matchbox & Crayola. Some characters seen at KB Toys include Barbie, Bratz, Spider Man, Star Wars, Thomas & Friends, SpongeBob Squarepants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Winnie the Pooh.
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 | FAO Schwarz
FAO Schwarz is the oldest toy store in the United States and a beautiful showcase for some of the best-known, most-respected, and innovative brands in the toy industry. As the leading specialty toy retailer, FAO Schwarz is committed to discovering and bringing to you fun, exciting, original and quality products. At fao.com you can visit The Doll Factory, where you can create the doll of your dreams, or browse through a wonderful selection of classic toys, stuffed animals, trains, planes, puzzl... |
 | The Literary Guild
The Literary Guild features upcoming best sellers. As a member, you'll always save 50% off the publishers' edition prices and be part of a select group of readers who spark the buzz about new books. The Literary Guild offers a wide range of fiction and nonfiction titles including mysteries, thrillers, books on business, career, fitness, finance, gardening, cooking, home decorating, romance, self-help and more. Insightful book reviews to excerpts and quotes by to writers and critics. This is your... |
 | Musicnotes.com
Shop for sheet music, digital leadsheets, books, and downloads at Musicnotes.com. Musicnotes.com is the leading Internet-based sheet music store offering more than 17,000 pieces of digital sheet music from Warner Bros. Publications, Universal Music Group, Mel Bay Publications, BMG Music Publishing, Zomba Music Publishing, Brentwood-Benson, BUG Music, Famous Music Publishing, EMI Christian Music Publishing and more. In addition to the instant delivery of digital sheet music, Musicnotes.com also o... |