CNO Reviews

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Spectacular....and very disappointing.

[11 September 2002]

A series of spectacular set-pieces linked by scenes lacking drama. The costumes and scenery are all one could wish for in filming Tolkien's epic but it is let down badly by a very poor script. The director, Peter Jackson, couldn't tell a story for toffee; he spends his time attempting to bludgeon the audience with vivid pictures rather than giving actors lines and letting them act. Quite often it is rather boring and sitting through it for 3 hours is a test of endurance.

It is to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings what "Braveheart" is to Scottish History, i.e. exciting at times and often showy but falling short of its great theme.

North West Mounted Police (1940)

A good old-fashioned, entertaining film.

[11 September 2002]

I happened to see this last Sunday afternoon on the T.V. At first the film looked dated but the costumes and general appearance of the people in it convincingly portrayed people of that era (something that doesn't happen as often as it should in "Westerns"); it soon became apparent that things were being done rather well and by the time the credits came along and I saw the name of Cecil B DeMille I knew why.

This is an entertaining, undemanding film. There is a great deal to enjoy if one puts aside ones modern sophistication. I particularly enjoyed the way the mounties were portrayed as a dedicated and disciplined police force, loyal to the Crown and doing a worthwhile job in very difficult circumstances. Gary Cooper's Texas Ranger helped to highlight the qualities of the Mounties and provided interest and excitement.

Crowd scenes and action scenes are well done. The stunt towards the end involving Gary Cooper's character tumbling from his falling horse is breathtaking and the quick cut to a back projection immediately after is very effective; it is a scene that can match anything in today's films. Characters have interesting scenes and the humour is dealt with a sure touch. The film has all the signs of a good director.

I didn't expect to enjoy this film, but I did and I look forward to finding more from the same period.