Yeah. Its kinda like that.

Here I sit now, almost a month from that day, trying to find words to describe what it is I love so much about these books and movies. First of all, let me say that I tried to give myself a little bit of time between that original viewing and the birth of this article. I'm trying to avoid saying things like, "It was so amazingly awesome! It just totally rocked!" I'm sure I've said that stuff about eight hundred times myself, but what does it really mean? Besides, everybody not only knows that Lord of the Rings rocks, but also probably couldn't count on one hand the number of people they themselves have heard saying those same things. What I am trying to get at is this: Lord of the Rings is amazing, yes, but its also so much more than that. What is it about these films thats so magnificent? In my opinion it comes down to three things. The fact that they were based off of some of the best fantasy books ever, they were made by a cast and crew extraordinarily passionate about the films and books themselves, and finally that they are well made, and, quite frankly, just plain fun.

I used to think that J.R.R Tolkien couldn't write. In fact, I was quite anxious to express my opinion on this to anyone who would listen until I was persuaded to actually read the entirety of Lord of the Rings and not just the Fellowship. Once I actually read all three of the books I agreed with many of those around me who say that he is one of the greatest authors of all time. J.R.R Tolkien loved Lord of the Rings like it was his child. He wrote it because it needed writing. This is probably why its such a hard series of books to read, at least at first. He writes in a slightly old-englishy style that is completely his own creation, and so at first it is hard to actually enjoy the story because you're translating every sentence from Tolkienese into modern day English in your head. Tolkien really was a master with words though, and once you get into the books, once you stop translating, that is, you realize how great they really are. Tolkien's the Lord of the Rings are the books that all fantasy generalizations are derived from. Gandalf was the original white-haired, staff bearing, long robed wizard. Tolkien also puts a lot of symbolism into his books, and you can get almost as much out of them by reading between the lines as you can by just reading the lines themselves. I suppose I could go on for a good long time about why the books of the Lord of the Rings are so good, but I'd rather not run my pen dry. Lets just suffice it to say that the Lord of the Rings is an amazing series of books that weren't made to make money, but to tell a story that needed telling. Consider them Tolkien's biggest ever Cobweb, if you will. Lets leave the rest to the Tolkien scholars because, yes, they do actually live for this kind of thing.

The second, and equally huge, reason for why these movies rock is that they were created by an extraordinary cast and crew. Where do I even start? Perhaps by talking about the man who started it all, the director Peter Jackson. It was his vision to turn these books into magnificent films. It was going to take an extraordinarily huge amount of time and money, not to mention that it was highly unsure as to whether the public would buy into it or not, and then there were the notoriously picky Tolkien fans to think about. Keeping all that in mind, it seems amazing that Peter Jackson would ever turn down film companies that proposed to take on his project, but he did. He only wanted to do the film if he did it the right way, and so he turned down companies proposing to make his film animated, or to smush all three books into one movie. Thats the kind of passion behind these films. When a film company finally did accept the project, an amazingly large amount of work began. Screen sets, both miniature and large, were worked out to the most minute detail. All armor and weaponry was made individually by skilled craftsmen. Makeup and costumes were bought by the truckload, and designed later down to the most intricate details. The movie was to be filmed in the beautiful country of New Zealand, said by many to be just like a new, untouched England. Just as Tolkien would have wanted it.

The actors were chosen by their acting abilities rather than because they had big names and pretty faces. Though, I am betting that having a pretty face certainly didn't hurt Orlando Bloom. Another reason why this film is just so appealing is that the audience can almost sense the chemistry between the actors as well as the characters. The actors all went through a beautiful and yet difficult year working on the films, not unlike this year for myself, and in doing so became great friends and grew as human beings. I can tell you from first hand experience that going through changes and hard times will make you best friends with anyone else who even has the slightest clue of what you're going through. Its apparent that the actors of Lord of the Rings feel the same way. Their bond was so tight they all got matching tattoos to show it. After a good long time since filming has finished they are still hanging out as best friends. Listening to the actors commentary on the DVD shows us how well the actors can finish each others' sentences. Its just a cool thing to behold. All of the people, both different and alike, went thought hard times together, and thus came together in a joined passion for the movies themselves. Thats why these movies are so great. They're almost just like Tolkien's books in the fact that, in the end, it turns out the goal wasn't making money or pleasing the critics, it was to make the movies themselves, to tell a story as it should be told. There is nothing more beautiful than that.

Except, perhaps, the soundtrack, which I happen to be listening to at the moment. Congratulations to Howard Shore, I've heard none finer.

And the final reason? Well, its rather obvious isn't it? Between breathtaking battle scenes, the love of Arwen and Aragorn, the sickening power of the ring, Frodo's strength, Sam's love, Legolas's hotness, Gimli's coolness ("What are we waiting for!?"), and enough awesome fantasy and special effects to put even J.K. Rowling in awe, these movies are just plain fun. They are good movies in ever sense of the term "good movies." As the cliche goes, there is something in there for everyone. These movies are just the cream of the crop. There are none better, and anyone who has seen them knows why. There is just no higher praise to be given.

That is why I love Lord of the Rings. Keep in mind as well that I didn't even mention how much they have inspired me. I wrote an entire novel off of the inspiration they filled me with. And maybe even the bigger reason of why I love Lord of the Rings is because they stand like a massive beacon, beaming out the words "This is what happens when you do what you love." Lord of the Rings has so many impassioned people behind it, and has given so many others this passion that it takes my breath away. People change when they see others doing what they love. You can feel it when you leave the movie theater, and heck, a month later I can still feel it's passion. It pumps in my veins and sticks quietly in the back of my mind, whispering words for me to write, making my hand itch for a pen. So I hearby give this issue of Pumpkin's Artist of the Issue crown to the cast and crew of Lord of the Rings. Not that they need it, you know. That's how you know something is really, truly good. When words like "Amazing! Life changing!" and "Award!" sink from it without meaning a thing. Its not that they aren't true, its just that they aren't needed. These movies, like so many other precious things, speak for themselves. That's why people sit limp in their seats watching the credits scroll on by.

I myself gave it the highest honor I could. I gave it a few claps of applause, and as soon as I got home, I started writing.