(OSV News) — To mark the 25th anniversary of the release of the first film in director Peter Jackson’s trilogy “The Lord of the Rings,” Fathom Entertainment will be screening all three movies in the series this month.
The initial installment, “The Fellowship of the Ring,” will be in theaters beginning Friday, Jan. 16, with the others opening over the subsequent two days. The limited run will end on Sunday, Jan. 25.
Adapted from Catholic author J.R.R. Tolkien’s groundbreaking and enormously popular fantasy novels, Jackson’s work was both a box office smash and an award-winning critical success. Having garnered 17 Oscars, the franchise was later selected for preservation by the Library of Congress as part of the U.S. National Film Registry.
Below, in chronological order, are capsule reviews of these films. The OSV News classification of each is A-III — adults and their Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (2001)
Visually splendid adventure tale set in the mythical realm of Middle-earth where a humble hobbit (Elijah Wood), assisted by eight faithful companions (including Ian McKellen), embarks on a perilous quest to destroy a ring which possesses the ultimate source of dark power. Based on the first book of J.R.R. Tolkien’s trilogy, director Peter Jackson’s fantasy is true to the epic struggle of good versus evil and uses magnificent effects and location shots. Yet its myriad characters prove daunting and the narrative grows repetitive. Many scenes of battle violence with several frightening images.
“The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” (2002)
Spectacular second installment of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy trilogy about the struggle between the forces of good and evil, set in the mythical realm of Middle-earth. Director Peter Jackson seamlessly blends breathtaking locations with cutting-edge effects to tell the timeless tale of Frodo (Elijah Wood), the homebody hobbit who becomes an unlikely hero, and his companions as they continue their perilous quest to destroy the One Ring, an amulet of unspeakable, seductive power. Many gory scenes of battle violence with several frightening images.
“The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2003)
Lavish final chapter of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy trilogy set in the mythic realm of Middle-earth. The third film brings to completion the quest of a hobbit (Elijah Wood) to destroy the Ring of Power coveted by the dark lord Sauron, while his comrades (including Ian McKellen and Viggo Mortensen) stave off the annihilation of mankind by leading a last-stand resistance against an army of Sauron’s evil minions. Artfully mixing grand-scale special-effects sequences with dramatically nuanced performances, director Peter Jackson scores a crowning achievement, as visually entrancing as it is emotionally satisfying. And though the good-versus-evil, sword-and-sorcery saga touches on transcendent themes such as mortality, free will and divine providence, the crowded narrative affords little time for clarifying exposition, which may leave those unfamiliar with the books or the two earlier movies overwhelmed. Extended battlefield violence and a few frightening scenes.
For screening information, go to fathomentertainment.com.
John Mulderig is media reviewer for OSV News. Follow him on Twitter @JohnMulderig1.
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