DVD Review: Extended 'Rings' Worth Every Minute

'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (PG-13)

There's an old saying that goes something like "If it's not broke, don't fix it."

Well, let's just say for once that it was the right thing to do for filmmaker Peter Jackson to break the rules to go back to improve upon his 2001 mega-blockbuster "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring." This new treatment -- which adds a half-hour of excised footage from the theatrical version -- in the end makes a spectacular film all the more spectacular.

The first thing that should be noted is that Jackson isn't spiffing up the film, ala George Lucas' "Star Wars" special edition, by adding or enhancing special effects. Rather, he's faced with the monumental challenge of taking a film already emblazoned as a classic in many people minds -- particularly with devotees of the piece's late author, J.R.R. Tolkien -- and deepening the narrative without changing the tone of the film.

The truth is, though, the added footage feels like it belongs. That has to be a welcome sign of relief for diehard fans, knowing Jackson wasn't including throwaway scenes for the sake of commerce. And while there are still countless reasons to love the original version, the "Extended Edition" -- as it is dubbed -- is truly the definitive version "The Fellowship of the Ring" -- and the version that should have played theatrically in the first place.

For those who may have missed the original version in theaters or on video when it was released in a August, the film chronicles the journey of a tiny man-like creature, the Hobbit Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) as he sets out on a journey to destroy a ring that has the power to enslave the world (read full reviews of the theatrical and video releases).

Combined with numerous bonus features, the Extended Edition package consists of four discs (one shortcoming: the film is divided up into two separate discs). After only one noticeable change in the prologue, the new footage in the Extended Version doesn't start until comes eight minutes into the film. In the original version, it begins with Frodo reading under a tree in the Shire; while the extended version starts with Bilbo Baggins (Sir Ian Holm) penning his memoirs in the Shire, and shortly transitions into wizard Gandalf the Grey's (Ian McKellen) visiting his old friends.

Of course, this gives audiences even more time to revel in the talents of the veteran thespian, and expand upon one of the story's most pivotal characters. Other new scenes that are notably visible in the extended version include Frodo and Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin) witnessing the a beautifully haunting departure of elves from Middle Earth; elf queen Galadriel (Cate Blanchett), as she presents parting gifts to the fellowship; and a song by Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) that deepens his relationship with elf Arwen (Liv Tyler).

Not all new is completely serious, however: Jackson even adds a scene that throws in a bit of flatulence humor involving none other than Hobbit troublemakers Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd).

Perhaps the greatest benefit of the release of the Extended Version is that it invokes an incredible sense of curiosity of a story I can't wait to see played out in its full glory.

Undoubtedly, having the film itself and a bevy of information to study on the August DVD deepened my appreciation of the film and left me wanting more, which I felt I got with the extended release. Plus, in addition to screening it on DVD, I was fortunate enough to see it at a special theatrical screening.

Needless to say, I'm counting the days until the release of "The Two Towers."

DVD Features: Since the advent of the DVD format, "deleted" and "expanded" scenes have been a favorite selling point for merchandisers looking to squeeze the few extra bucks out of consumers. However, by and large, once you get a look at these scenes, you can see why they never made the final cut.

This is hardly the case with the Extended Edition of the DVD of "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring." Jackson has added the final touches to his masterpiece with the re-inclusion of some omitted parts.

The DVD package includes a very helpful scene-by-scene guide delineating which scenes are added, expanded or left alone. By far the best of the added bits comes early in the first disc, a segment titled "On Hobbits."

Along with another added scene at The Green Dragon pub, it gives the viewer a more detailed look at the little folk who form the crux of the story, and were dear to the heart of Tolkien.

New music from Academy Award winner Howard Shore makes the added scenes flow seamlessly into the original track. If you've got a top-notch DVD system with surround speakers, select the DTS ES 6.1 audio format and prepare to be blown out of your recliner. The music swells with a richness that had this reviewer's upstairs neighbors pounding on the ceiling.

One of the inevitable arguments among "true" fans of any film once the DVD comes out is the "how could they leave that out?" dispute. It carries some weight here, though.

Two scenes in particular, one delineating the heritage of Aragorn/Strider and one showing the gifts given to the Fellowship by Galadriel, together make up roughly five minutes and explain much that, at least in the books, becomes of critical importance in the latter two volumes.

In all, with just about every scene expanded and the new additions, the expanded version is what LOTR fans have been waiting for, and the perfect snack to whet appetites for December's release of "Two Towers."

Other vital bonuses of the Extended version DVD include commentary by nearly every major cast and crewmember in the project (including Jackson and fellow screenwriters Frances Walsh and Phillipa Boyens, actors Wood, McKellen, Tyler, Christopher Lee (Saruman the White) and several others, as well as production and post-production crewmembers including WETA workshop Oscar-winner Richard Taylor --Bonus features review by J. Scott Wilson