MOGU5 | A meek Hobbit from the Shire and eight companions set out on a journey to destroy the powerful One Ring and save Middle-earth from the Dark Lord Sauron. | An ancient Ring thought lost for centuries has been found, and through a strange twist of fate has been given to a small Hobbit named Frodo. When Gandalf discovers the Ring is in fact the One Ring of the Dark Lord Sauron, Frodo must make an epic quest to the Cracks of Doom in order to destroy it. However, he does not go alone. He is joined by Gandalf, Legolas the elf, Gimli the Dwarf, Aragorn, Boromir, and his three Hobbit friends Merry, Pippin, and Samwise. Through mountains, snow, darkness, forests, rivers and plains, facing evil and danger at every corner the Fellowship of the Ring must go. Their quest to destroy the One Ring is the only hope for the end of the Dark Lords reign.

After a long and happy life in the Shire, Bilbo has decided to depart his lifelong home and travel again. His intention is to leave all his possessions to his nephew, Frodo. These possessions will contain the ring from his youthful adventuring life. In dramatic fashion, he leaves the Shire in the middle of his own birthday party. But Gandalf has a growing suspicion that there is more to this ring than previously thought. Frodo is instructed to keep it safe and not use it over much.

Several decades pass before Gandalf returns with dread news. It seems that this ring is the great ring of legend that is linked to the power of the Dark Lord Sauron. Enemies and armies are mustering and it's rumored that the ring's location has been discovered. Now it is up to Frodo to get the ring out of the Shire before he is caught. Together with some of his best friends, Frodo sets out not quite sure where he is going. They are pursued by mysterious riders dressed in black robes. In an attempt to stay off the road they stray into the woods and have several close calls with old trees and barrow wights but they eventually reach Bree.

There they were supposed to meet Gandalf for further instruction but he is absent. Instead the meet Strider, an odd and haggard ranger who is a friend of Gandalf. Pursued even in town by the black riders they narrowly escape and continue on through swamp and across country. During the night the black riders attack and stab Frodo but are later driven off. Then the group must race on to Rivendell as Frodo's wound will not heal without the magic of the elves.

Frodo is healed in Rivendell and is reunited with Gandalf and Bilbo who has been staying with the elves for many years. An inter-species counsel is held to determine what to do with the ring. Ultimately, it is decided that it must be destroyed and Frodo is appointed to carry it into Mordor. Gimli the dwarf, Legolas the elf, and Boromir the human join the traveling group. Gandalf also comes to lead them on the journey.

Their travel plans meet many impediments and the eventually have to travel through the mines of Moria. This is a long abandoned city that was rumored to be destroyed by orcs. Within they find Gimli's dead relatives and a whole bunch of monsters. Gandalf is slain and the group only barely manages to escape. From there, they travel to the woodland kingdom of Galadriel. The elves have heard of their coming and are good hosts to the party. Receiving going away gifts they climb into their boats and travel downriver.

At this point, the party is at a loss. Strider doesn't know what Gandalf was planning to do or where they ought to go next. There are several options and the party is divided over which direction to take. Ultimately, they decide to leave it up to Frodo as he is the ringbearer. Frodo goes off to consider is options and is accosted by Boromir. At first the human only wants to plead his case but it soon becomes clear that he has begun to lust after the ring and wants to take it as a weapon of war. Fleeing, invisible, from the large man, Frodo resolves to go to Mordor alone. Along the river, Sam recognizes his plan and stops him. The two decide that they will continue the journey together. ( )

The forces of good decide what to do with an evil magic ring.

Everything I have to say about it is identical to what I had to say about The Two Towers, so I won't repeat myself. (Aren't you glad you spent you time reading that sentence? And this one?)

Concept: C
Story: C
Characters: A
Dialog: D
Pacing: C
Cinematography: B
Special effects/design: A
Acting: C
Music: B

Enjoyment: A plus

GPA: 2.8/4

(Oct. 2010) ( )

Good but too many battle scenes. ( )

DVD