I, too, was at the Chicago screening last night. Without a ticket, I might add, but someone who was alone was kind enough to bring me in as their guest.
The theater was *not* full, probably a combination of bad weather and people not valuing things they get for free. I think if anyone had leaked the location sooner, we’d have had every seat full. Of course, then I might not have made it in, since I only found the location an hour before the showing.
The guys giving out the tickets, which included a free drink and popcorn, indicated that there were other “freebies” that didn’t arrive in time to be handed out. Didn’t matter one bit, as far as I was concerned.
The audience, while not capacity, was very enthusiastic about the screening. Applause and hooting when the lights went down; wild applause for the Two Towers trailer; applause again when the movie started (and when it ended, of course). Delighted reactions to all the new materials, no matter how small. Places where one or two lines were added got laughs and cheers.
As for the EE itself, marvelous movie that *everyone* should have seen on the big screen. Small as some changes are, they add greatly to the characterization and the lore of the story. I don’t think I need to go into spoilers, since the DVD reviews get pretty detailed on what is added.
To me, the EE is what the movie should have been all along. The theatrical release came so close, but there were places where I was saying “but…” Not so with this version, which is just delightfully done. Every member of the Fellowship gets to shine a little more, particularly Merry & Pippin, but also Gimli and his relationship with Legolas. Heck, I finally got to see Gimli with his helmet off. And see Legolas’ attitude toward dwarves — or one dwarf – change.
I went home very, very happy and wild to own the DVD (soon!) and see TT.
Last night myself, my wife and a friend went into Chicago to wrangle ourselves a seat for the big screen viewing of Fellowship’s Extended Edition. We were sorely worried that we’d be without seats, as we were a bit late, but there was plenty of room in the theatre when we got there, and we managed to grab some perfect seats.
And, because it was a Tuesday night, the eventually full theatre was packed with die-hard Tolkien nuts. It was the perfect crowd to see this movie with. And, I might add, the perfect place to see this movie. The theatre was THX certified, and they used a Texas Instruments digital projector to get the movie on the screen – it was like watching a movie-sized HDTV!!
This cut of Fellowship stands head and shoulders above the theatrical cut. The extra 1/2 hour of footage makes the film actually feel a bit shorter, because it flows so well together. The additions made are here and there, mostly, little bits that add roundness and soul to the movie.
A lot of the humor got cut, which is a sad thing, because it’s the most genuine humor that I’ve seen in a movie to date. For example (as the party is preparing to leave Lothlorien, Legloas pulls out some lembas and shows it to Pippin and Merry):
Legolas: Lembas; elvish waybread. A small bite will fill a grown man’s stomach for a full day. (He smiles, takes a bite, and puts it back in the pack).
(Merry and Pippin both smile in an over-polite fashion. When Legolas is out of earshot, Merry leans over to Pippin).
Merry: How many did *you* eat?
Pippin: Four. (Pippin belches and gets a *very* uncomfortable look on his face)
But, on to the major stuff:
The first major addition is in the beginning, where we move from the narration by Galadriel to Bilbo penning the first chapter of his book, Concerning Hobbits. The warmth which Bilbo uses to describe the Shire way of life makes it something to be protected. I had known that the Shire was worth protecting when I saw the theatrical cut, but only in an intellectual fashion. Now, having seen the Extended cut, I *felt* that it was something to be protected.
The second addition is the extended Lothlorien sequence. We get to see much more the elven city, even Caras Galadon. The most remarkable part that was put back in was the gift giving sequence. The entire Lotlorien sequence gives Celeborn and Galadriel a softer side – they seem much more like they were in the book. (EVERYONE seems more like they were in the book; that’s the best I can say, as there is too much detail to full convey all of the little bits and pieces that were put back in).
The recut of the film is fantastic: that alone justifies the purchase of the DVD next Tuesday. And after reading the review that Moriarity put up over at Ain’t It Cool News of all the goodness that PJ packed into the special features, I’m near-salivating. 🙂
I was just told that you wanted reviews from dvd screening. Hope you find this useful. I am still totally blown away and thought that as a nearly 48-year old, there wasn’t much left that could do this to me.
The word “WOW !” will be a large part of my vocabulary for days to come. 😉
I was one of the fortunate few to win passes to a digital screeening of the DVD from Moviefone. It was shown at the Cinemark Legacy theater in Plano, TX, which happens to be the closest theater to my home. I am blessed!
I asked my friend, Dandy Baggins to go with me and we shared an experience that will last a lifetime! I will not say what the additions were because I do not like spoilers, myself.
I will say that all of the additions added greatly to the story and filled in blanks that really should have been filled originally. New Line should be ashamed that they were so uptight about that 3 hour time.
I just want to say that this was not an ordinary screening. This was a digital remaster or whatever it’s called and with digital sound! It was like seeing the movie for the first time!(even though i had seen it 19 times thatrically before and at least 10 times at home.)
Dandy and I cried and held each other for most of it it was so amazing! The new stuff is fantastic and very well done. PJ said that things weren’t as smooth, but that is debatable.
I don’t know if there are any plans to release this to the general public in theaters, but I highly, HIGHLY recommend that everyone write to New Line and ask that it be done!
Hi, I went to the FOTR: EE screening in NYC and loved every minute of it (all 210 of ’em!) Regarding the new cut, it’s a lot more like the book than the original film was – funnier, livelier, and much more focused on the minutiae of middle earth. However, I wouldn’t say it’s better – just different.
They showed the latest trailer for TTT prior to the film, to the cheers and claps of all – including Richard Taylor (who I was sitting one row in front of!) Seeing FOTR on the big screen one last time was a great introduction to this new version, and I can’t thank AOL/New Line/Moviefone enough!
Amazing is all I can say! More character development, more humor, and more warmth. It just added to the whole experience of the film.
I especially loved what it added to the relationships built in the story. You understand more about the Frodo/Bilbo, Gimli/Galadriel relationships, not to mention others. You can feel the intimacy building in the Fellowship in this film version.
I especially loved the Lothlorien sequence in the extended edition. It gave more of the impression I had from the book than the theatrical version did. Lorien felt less spooky and surreal. It still carried a majestic aura but felt warmer and more inviting. The elves (especially Galadriel) were able to show a personable, caring side. The gift giving scenes were great!
I won’t write everything I could say but just sum it up as “Thanks PJ for giving us this version” and to those that are debating on the purchase of this version “It is so worth it!”
It’s the morning after my screening of LOTR: SE at the Loew’s Boston Common in Boston MA. All I can say is WOW. My mind is so full of new and different images. I can’t wait to see the movie again and again.
What did I love? The list is too numerous but here are the highlights in the order in which my brain remembers them. 1.) The new and very amusing opening with Bilbo’s description of Hobbits and the Shire. Very charming. 2.) Hobbits singing and partying at the Green Dragon. Need I say more? 3.) Elrond’s farewell at Rivendell and the very funny moment at the end of the new scene. Left or right Gandalf (snerk). 4.) Boromir, Merry, and Pippin practicing and the tossing of Aragorn (this still makes me giggle) 5.) Every new moment in Lorien was amazing, Celeborn had a wonderfully expanded role which made him seem far less the dullard in the theatrical cut. Gimli snoring (too funny). Sam’s poem (very sweet). The new lembas scene (still laughing). Boromir’s kind words to Frodo when everyone else was embarrassed and shocked (wonderful). The gift giving scene was absolutely beautiful and charming (it should have been in the theatrical cut). 6.) Aragorn and Boromir arguing. It made Boromir’s death scene so much more poignant. 7.) Merry and Pippin’s new role during the final battle scene. It was appropriate that they help Boromir take down as many orcs as possible. Not just stand there with stunned expressions.
While watching the movie I had the vague feeling that many of the scenes were different somehow. Either recut, shot from a different angle or with a different close-up. I’ll need to see the movie a few more times before I can say with certainty which scenes were different (oh the sacrifices….grin).
The only scene that did not work for me was Aragorn’s new scene at Rivendell when he and Elrond are at Aragorn’s mother’s grave. They were talking about Aragorn’s destiny and the re-forged sword and then there was an abrupt cut to Sting. For a moment I laughed thinking that Sting was Narsil re-forged.
I think LOTR: SE is wonderful and just improves upon an already brilliant movie. I thank Moviefone and New Line for allowing us to see the movie on a big screen with awesome surround sound. I hope next year they’ll decide to release the SE on the big screen for the general public. I’d love to see it again in all it’s glory.
