Why do you think The Lord of the Rings was such a blockbuster?
396199
If we’re talking “blockbuster” aka ticket sales the answer is absolutely marketing.  The movies came out at the end of the year so they didn't compete with the regular summer blockbusters.  They attached the movie to various products/companies (anyone remember those Burger king glowing goblets or sneak peek trailers on the WB).  The website offered everything from free downloads, interviews, etc. It wasn’t the acting.  At the time of the original theatrical release of Fellowship of the Ring most people only knew about Liv Tyler.  Sadly Tolkien wasn’t the draw either.  Book sales peaked after the movies.  And it was not the director (um, King Kong??)
86535
I don't think so.  I believe that one of the biggest components to making the movie so great was the controversial tone of it.  The movie had great cinematography; but without the edge of the characters interplay, it wouldn't have had a whole lot of substance.
193638
I'm not sure which one I liked the best. Each one is so well made.  I really love the scene where Gandolf faces the Balrok (sp?) at the end of the first movie - and how they show it again at the beginning of the second movie.  The scene where they fall into the underground lake always takes my breath away...\n\n... okay, all that having been said, I've just convinced myself that I like the first one the best. I like the wisdom Gandolf imparts to Frodo, I love the way the fellowship comes together, I love how the Hobbits first run in with Aragorn and the Ring Wraiths....\n\n\nThanks for asking the question... now I think I'm gonna have to watch them again.  :)
735331
I thought I was the only one who did not enjoy The Fellowship of the Ring. What does the Ring do? Why is everyone so self righteous? I can't feel the sadness when Gandalf died because in no part of the movie show the development of their deep friendship. What's the significance of Cate Blanchett's scene other than to turn grey? So conveniently the Balrog appears after everyone was cornered by Orcs in the mines. It does not have a big satisfying ending with its budget. Frodo seemed like a weakling that has the tendency to get stabbed.\n\nSo good to get all this out of me. Thank you very much.
58122
Just looking at it from a moviegoers standpoint, i like LOTR more. It creates a very deep setting while fully exploring each part of the world, instead of just touching upon each place. Star Wars had a couple of bad movies (I & II) and some of the worlds were shown in 20 second clips (Order 66).
140962
Hollywood is liberal and constantly pushing agendas.  They love their own, and demand to be accepted as mainstream.  Critics loved this and its nominated for many Oscars.  This does not mean that it is popular.  It is just barely creeping up on $60 Million.  Not a HUGE success by hollywood standards.  A movie has to make at least $100 mil to get on the http://boxofficemojo.com highest grossing movies of all time.  There are currently 339 movies on that list.  This movie is nowhere near this list. Yet the commercials and marketing are constant.\n\nNow contrast that with The Chronicles of Narnia.  It appeals to a wider secular audience, as well as conservatives and Christians (which is a HUGE untapped market, BTW).  It was a great adventure movie and so far has grossed $278,862,289.  That is more than $200 mil MORE than the gay cowboys.  Narnia is currently #28 in the list of top grossing movies of all time.  Besides being a great commercial hit, it is a good movie!  COMPLETELY SNUBBED BY THE OSCARS.\n\nWho says the Oscars aren't political?
361142
I would totally rather Lord of the Rings because it is actually less science fiction, well, of course all is science fiction, but the "reality" of the move of the Lord of the Rings is much more better than that of Harry Potter.\n\nI also like Harry Potter the same way, but I would go more with Lord of the Rings
218372
I liked the movies and finally finished the books.  I like Gandolf and Arwen.  I hope they settle the lawsuit with the Hobbit soon, since I would really like to see that remake.
829706
In the book... Faramir.  Hands down. He's an outlaw, but on the side of good.  He wears green! That part where he comes out of the forest and meets the hobbits is one of my favourite parts.\n\nAlso, Eowyn. She's so damn cool in the book, disappointed in love, she goes out to fight for good and her family honour. I was quite disappointed by her portrayal in the film, she was too sulky and not shining enough!  \n\nOtherwise... Treebeard!   And I have to say it always disappoints me (although I understand it) that they don't have Tom Bombadil in the films...\n\nIn the films... hmmm harder, because Peter Jackson doesn't concentrate on character so much as epic story and effect.  That's not necessarily a criticism.  I have to say I liked Legolas, even though Orlando Bloom isn't a great actor in my book.\nGandalf was cool, but a little bit lame when he became Gandalf the White.\n\nBut Boromir wins, because Sean Bean was awesome, and that's the best screen death ever. EVER I say. :D
826579
Well, aside from an intersting plot and creative characters, the original film was a huge hit in theaters because of the special effects. People of my generation (the one right after the big Star Wars fans) watch movies like that and think, "Wow, what lame special effects!" though at the time, it was awe-inspiring. The worst special effect (I think) I have ever seen was in Creature from the Black Lagoon, when a bat flew out of the cave, and the wire it was on was clearly visible.
1137793
Yes, that was an amazing movie. Of course, I'm a little bit biased on this opinion. I am a serious fan of Neil Gaiman (the writer of the script for the movie) since he wrote the Sandman comics (I love all of his novels as well), and the fact that Dave McKean directed it (he did a lot of the Sandman's artwork) just made it an even sweeter movie ...but, without any bias, it was a very very good movie indeed!
300214
the entire trilogy was fantasy.  the only thing you question is the number of orchs?  the movies aren't meant to be true to life...if you can believe any of it you have to believe all of it to enjoy it.
1036863
I read in an Entertainment Weekly that that is why the new Batman and Superman movies are being released.  Now if they could only score an awesome Wonder Woman and Green Lantern flick, we could even be looking at a Justice League movie.  How would that go over?  Lord of the Rings style epic trilogy?  Bigger than Star Wars maybe?
620091
The imagination it took to bring things to life either in your head for the book or the scenes for the movie.  The story is great but thats not what made it successful.  The characters and effects used are so original.  You never know whats coming next.  I think the main thing that made it successful was that adults enjoy Harry Potter as much as children.  Its easier to get mom to buy you the book or take you to the movies if she is just as exicted to go.
567142
I am absolutely totally in love with Lord of the Rings.  I have the books on tape and the Extended Edition of the Movies.  I also have all the books.\nHow can you not love Lord of the Rings?
1068460
yeah \nyugioh's awesome\nbut im sorry to say i dont really have the attention span to watch lord of the rings
1027895
The Lord of the Rings.