LOTR performs the one task that very few films can ever do . . . live up to the hype. There is no need for me to say that LOTR is great, astounding, incredible, miraculous, awesome, etc., etc., etc. These things have already been said by all who have seen it. All I will say is that by Christmas 2003, the world will have a new holy movie trinity. All films that follow will do so in Lord of the Rings shadow.