One Ring to Bind Them

I have just been to see Lord of the Rings. Let me only say that it delivered upon and exceeded my every expectation. Kudos to Brandon for browbeating 36 surly geeks into proper line-standing form, and actually herding us successfuly into the theatre.

MINOR SPOILER ALERT!*****************************************************************

The experience of the movie was perfect in every way. The fight scenes on Durin's tomb reminded me again why I practically lived for Dungeons and Dragons when I was in high school. The scenery made me feel like Middle Earth was real all over again. And the little subtle details: from obvious stuff, like the writing on Durin's tomb being in authentic Dwarven, to the subtle whispering of the Ring. The chase to the ford at Rivendell had me shaking, almost jumping up out of my seat the action was so intense. This was a very dark Lord of the Rings, full of sorrow and pain. Boromir's despair at the fate of Gondor is real despair, and the party's grief over Gandalf's fall is acted to the fullest.

Interestingly enough, it turned out that Zannah was sitting in the row right in front of us. It makes me feel guilty for all the times I blogged stuff I saw on her site without remembering to give her credit. :( Sorry, Zannah.