LORD OF THE RINGS SPECIAL EDITON AND STAR WARS EPISODE II DVD RELEASE

Okay, this has to be the most ultimate week for DVD releases. Both Lord of the Rings Special Edition and Star Wars Episode II released and I have to say that I'm truly impressed. I have to say this though, Lord of the Rings steals the show this time, and has pretty much elevated itself to perhaps the greatest movie of all time in my book. For sure, it's the greatest Fantasy movie of all time.

Somehow Peter Jackson created a film so incredible, I don't think that either Steven Speilburg or George Lucas could translate Tolkien's vision so accurately and so beautifully as it has been done. The true depth of this epic is without a shadow of a doubt unparalleled. I know for sure that you have to know Lord of the Rings to create the saga, and Peter Jackson's intemate knowledge of the books shows in every painstaking detail that went into making this film I know that Tolkien is clapping in his grave. This movie is what the original Star Wars was in 1977 and has elevated itself to legendary status.

The Special Edition of Fellowship comes with about 30 minutes of extra footage from the movie that appeared in the theaters and was released on DVD a couple months ago, which is mostly spread throughout the movie. There is a lot more material at the beginning of the movie in the Shire with the Hobbits, some during the journey, at Rivendale and Lothlorien, and towards the end of the movie. The added scenes don't detract or drag the storyline, rather reinforce it and remain true to the novel.

Everything that became Role-Playing Games today had it's roots in the Tolkien books, in fact it's a good bet that the video game industry wouldn't be what it is today if Lord of the Rings never influenced the creators of fantasy RPG's and even Dungeons and Dragons. Tolkien sparked imaginations to roam across Middle Earth. After watching Lord of the Rings this connection became intricately more visable.

When they were at Lothlorien Galandriel gave each member of the Fellowship a special item endowed with magical properties, and this distinctly reminded me of circumstances in RPG's where the heroes in the party are granted powerful items to aid in their quest from some ethereal goddess, queen or princess. In many ways for years I had been waiting for a film that truly captured the essense of fantasy the way RPG's and Lord of the Rings did and it makes me very happy to be able to see this come to fruition. There was a time when I hoped that someday my Novel, Khakain: The Coming of the Chosen one could be made into a movie, perhaps that day may yet come to pass...

Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring came with two statues, the Special Edition DVD set with 4 Discs, a National Geographic video documentary, and some Lord of the Rings playing cards. This collectors edition is currently retailing for $69.99, but I was lucky enough to get it for about $50.00. If you truly consider yourself a fan of this novels and the movie I advise getting this. Star Wars comes with the movie and an Extras disc and retails this week for $14.99 at Circuit City and $14.77 at Wal-Mart.

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