Gary Quinn

Taken by itself - absent Lord of the Rings predispositions & prejudices - this is simply captivating, exhilarating and a wondrous fantasy series. There are terrors . . . joys . . . and expansions of where Tolkein might have wanted to take us. The whining about costumes, dialogue choices, casting and plot are the arrogance of expectations & and a disservice to the genius of the creators. If you're only fulfilled by reading Tolkein - then read Tolkein. If your imagination can be freed to soar . . . this is a gift from cinema gods.