Peter Jackson
Il Signore degli Anelli - La Compagnia dell'Anello

Okay, theoretically I should be reviewing "The Hobbit." In practice, I thought to myself, "So why not proceed in order?" And so I decided to start from the origins (cinematographically speaking, of course). I know that reviewing Peter Jackson's latest endeavor would have been more chronologically coherent, I know there will certainly be other reviews of this film in the depths of DeBaser, and I also know you'll begin to make the usual cynical comments like "it's already been reviewed, let's move on." But honestly, I don't care.

I'm in the middle of exam session delirium, but it's been a while since I've written here, and I need to distract myself for a moment. Writing relaxes me, and since lately I should be walking around with a t-shirt that says "Warning! Bites" due to my foul mood (a warning for those I meet on the street, forewarned is forearmed), here I am with a new review here on DeBasio.

I was saying, I want to start from the beginning.

You all know the plot. Once upon a time, there was a Hobbit named Frodo. Or rather, a hottie who in reality is Elijah Wood (and here I could endlessly discuss it with some female user who shares my opinion, but let's move on). This hottie receives "by way of inheritance" from his uncle Bilbo the One Ring, which the evil one of the situation, Sauron, is hunting for, and here the chaos begins. Frodo leaves the Shire along with his unfortunate gardener Sam (poor guy, he has no idea what's coming) and two other stoners named Merry and Pippin (chapeau to those last two). The rest is history in every sense of the word: Aragorn appears, there's Gandalf, the arrival at Rivendell, the Council of Elrond, Gimli the dwarf, Legolas the elf, etc., etc. Nine of them set off for a vacation in Mordor, all to destroy this Ring capable of controlling all the other Rings (by throwing it into the lava of Mount Doom) before it ends up in Sauron's clutches.

This first chapter taken from the historic saga born from Tolkien's genius ends when Frodo voluntarily leaves the rest of the Fellowship to reach Mordor alone, so as not to cause further harm to his travel companions (poor naive soul). He is joined just in time by Sam (also a poor naive soul), and the two head alone toward their destiny. That's the only spoiler I'll limit myself to: before all this, the entire Fellowship had a few problems, but even though I doubt anyone hasn't seen The Lord of the Rings yet, you never know, and I avoid revealing further events. I will gloss over the importance of this Ring and on simpler matters like "okay but...what is a Hobbit?" so I won't be accused of making spoilers and revelations.

I'll avoid getting too detailed with the plot, limiting myself to this rather shameful briefing given the epic and innovative nature of the novel and given the masterpiece brought to life by Peter Jackson. Also, because if I were to explain the plot in detail, we'd be here all night (as they say).

I'll simply add that the film tries to be faithful to the novel. This is demonstrated, for instance, by the lengthy scenes focused on battles, the length (necessary in some places, perhaps not in others) to do justice to about 1258 pages (if we skip all the zillion appendices, of course). In this first chapter, there aren't any massive confrontations, but the film still manages to keep the "vibrancy," the movement, the tension, and thus the audience's attention high. It's easy to follow without problems, without getting lost, and without giving in to the temptations of Morpheus.

The only flaw is a bit the excessive incapacity attributed to Frodo's character: he quite often appears to be someone who can never get anything done on his own. He spends about 50% of the film on the ground (I'll avoid mentioning with which part of his body to avoid some scolding from the moderators) and doesn't exactly make a great impression. Let's say Tolkien honors him more, and Jackson a bit less.

An exceptional cast that does justice to every single character: the hottie Elijah Wood for Frodo, Ian McKellen for Gandalf (perhaps much more suitable than the previously chosen Sean Connery), Sean Austin for Sam, Viggo Mortensen for Aragorn (certainly more suitable than Nicholas Cage or Russell Crowe, both previously considered for the part. With all due respect to good Russell, but I can't see him in the Ranger's shoes. As for Cage, he's an actor unsuitable for any role, let alone for Aragorn), Sean Bean for Boromir (a role coveted by Bruce Willis), Dominic Monaghan for Merry (Charlie Pace from Lost), the handsome Billy Boyd for Pippin, the dashing Orlando Bloom for Legolas, John Rhys-Davies for Gimli, thankfully Cate Blanchett for Galadriel (yes, thankfully because the part had been proposed to Kylie Minogue. This is one of those times when common sense triumphed in film history), Christopher Lee for Saruman, Hugo Weaving for Elrond, Miss Tyler for Arwen, and finally, Ian Holm for Bilbo. Sorry for the endless list, but it was necessary. Actors not all known to the public (some made it big afterwards and some didn't), but I'd say they are definitely suitable both in description and performance.

Magical soundtrack composed by Howard Shore. Particularly noteworthy are "In Dreams" and "May It Be" (the voice of Enya). They enter the soul and never leave. A journey unto itself, no matter the destination. The notes take you far away. The only thing that matters is letting yourself be carried away by them.

The reconstruction of landscapes is absolutely faithful to the images evoked by the novel. Evocative scenography that captivates the viewer. A careful selection of setting combined, of course, with authentic digital masterpieces. Rivendell fully expresses the sense of peace and tranquility that wafts from Tolkien's description.

Incredible special effects. The revolution of computer graphics. Details addressed to the smallest minute detail. After all, the meticulousness and almost excessive perfectionism Mr. Jackson applies to his films is well known.

Perfect empathy with the audience: it manages to convey every single emotion expressed by the scenes to whoever is watching. If the characters suffer, you suffer too, and if they're happy, so are you, and so on. It's like being with them inside the adventure. We get projected into another reality, forgetting the rest surrounding us.

Peter Jackson, undisputed genius.

A film suspended between dream and nightmare that does not disappoint Tolkien fans.

P.S: throughout it all, Frodo gets the others into trouble about six times in this first chapter. Fine, you're the Ring-bearer, but have a little backbone, come on...

P.P.S: watching it again after having seen the legendary Svarione degli Anelli will present difficulties. The Epic of Humorism.

"Let them come! There is one Dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath!"

Remember not to eat peperonata.