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‘Ring’ and ‘Clones’ offer glimpse of future
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Also by Nathan Pedersen:
- Mason's 'Piano Tuner' a showcase of beauty (February 20, 2003)
- 'Crouching Tiger' graphic novels provide important insight (February 27, 2003)
- An 'Earnest' effort (December 2, 2002)
- "Catch" this masterpiece (January 17, 2003)
- Superb cast, storytelling highlight adaptation of Dickens' "Nickleby" (January 27, 2003)
Related Stories:
- Epic 'Rings' finale comes to DVD (December 10, 2004)
- More 'Rings' is always better (November 21, 2003)
- 'Lord of the Rings: Return of the King': Best. Film Trilogy. Ever. (January 19, 2004)
- 'Rings' director gets rousing welcome at New Zealand premiere (December 2, 2003)
- 'Lord of the Rings' dazzles but lacks resolution (December 10, 2001)
by Nathan Pedersen
Monday, November 18, 2002
Garnering 13 Academy Award nominations last year and snagging about half of them, “The Fellowship of the Ring” was hands-down the best movie of 2001.
The theatrical version was already released on DVD this summer, but now director Peter Jackson has re-incorporated 30 minutes into the film, accompanied by new music from Howard Shore. The Special Extended Edition has a running time of 206 minutes, and the beautifully packaged set comes complete with the aptly titled “Appendices,” two additional discs of enlightening special features. Simply put, this is the DVD release of the year.
Peter Jackson and company have improved upon their masterpiece. The extra footage is simply precious. Restored is the gift-giving scene with Galadriel, the back-story on Aragorn, hobbit life in the Shire, more Arwen, more Elves, more Fellowship bonding, an elongated, heart-wrenching fall of Boromir and lots of extended scenes of added dialogue and longer battles. “The Fellowship of the Ring” is gracefully allowed to breathe, and the effect is marvelous.
Futhermore, “The Appendices” are fantastic. From initial writing and location scouting all the way through to editing and music, the documentaries reveal the entire process of making the film. Also included are entertaining cast interviews, a biography of “Rings” author J.R.R. Tolkien and many exciting tidbits such as storyboards for never-filmed scenes, extensive art galleries and editing demonstrations.
All the way through, Peter Jackson is happily present, bubbling with an infectious enthusiasm and giving evidence for why New Line entrusted him with such an enormous project. You can even listen to Jackson and his writing team on one of the four feature-length commentaries (the other three come from the cast, the production staff and the design team).
Also new to DVD is “Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.” While it fails in every area “The Fellowship of the Ring” got right (i.e., characterization, coherent storyline, dialogue, realism of CGI effects), it’s still “Star Wars,” and that means pure, unabashed fun.
Ten years have now passed, and young Anakin (Hadyn Christensen, “Life as a House”) has grown up to be a moody Jedi apprentice. While exceedingly talented in the Jedi ways, he’s also arrogant, headstrong and bursting at the seams under the slow-and-steady tutorship of Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan MacGregor, “Trainspotting”).
The pair is assigned the task of guarding Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman, “Heat”), former Queen of Naboo, who is suffering assassination attempts as she moves to back a controversial militarization vote in the Galactic Senate.
Anakin starts getting himself into trouble when he falls desperately in love with Amidala while Obi is sent off to another planet to uncover rumors of an army of clones. From here on out, though, the complexity of the plot leaves behind those who have yet to read every “Star Wars” book.
Nonetheless, for pure enjoyment, “Attack of the Clones” succeeds marvelously. Forget the plot; just sit back in awe of the digitally crafted landscapes and dizzying special effects. Of special note is the rousing ending, involving an all-out Jedi charge and some spectacular light-saber duels, as well as the moment we’ve all been waiting for: Yoda swinging into furious action.
Included with the DVD set is a disc of special features, in much the same vein as “The Phantom Menace,” with deleted scenes, making-of featurettes, a documentary series and a commentary track by George Lucas, among others. Additionally, this DVD represents a milestone in the industry: It is the first movie shot entirely on digital film to be transferred onto a digital medium. The ensuing clarity is astounding.
Now only one more film stands in the way of the complete “Star Wars” cycle. In “Episode Three,” the conversion of Anakin into Darth Vader is set to take place in what looks to be the darkest movie of the six. If done right, this might also mean the best.
Meanwhile, we only have one more month until the second installment of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy is released, as “The Two Towers” comes out Dec. 18. Since we’re in the capable hands of Peter Jackson, we have every reason to anticipate a film just as epic as “The Fellowship of the Ring.” And that’s certainly something to look forward to.
Coming Nov. 19: “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron,” “Reign of Fire,” “Juwanna Mann,” “Frank McKlusky C.I.,” “Sunshine State,” “13 Conversations About One Thing,” “Glengarry Glen Ross.”
