The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Review

Messages: Strong theme of the meekest, smallest folk -- personified by Frodo Baggins, the Hobbit -- becoming greatest heroes in a perilous quest. Gandalf advises Frodo against killing wantonly. Evil forces of Mordor and Saruman are associated with industrialization (more so in the followup The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers), whereas the Hobbit and mystic Elf races have more reverence for nature.

Role models: The very innocence of Frodo, Samwise, and the other peace-loving hobbits becomes their strength, as greed and the temptation contained in the One Ring tear apart the alliance, preying on the allegedly stronger characters. Hobbits are still shown as mischief-making and fun-loving (and weed-smoking). Lust for power is said to be a particular flaw in the race called "Man," though the long-lost King Aragorn is one noble warrior who does not succumb. Strong female characters are not too prominent in the Tolkien novel but get represented here (even if they are Elves, not humans).

Violence: Death and attempted murder by arrows and swords, including the agonizing killing of one character in a pincushion of arrows. People fall from great heights. Wizards batter each other bloody with invisible forces. A toothy, squid-like creature tries to eat the heroes. Supernatural creatures set on fire, impaled, decapitated and dismembered. Lots of gnarled skeletons and bodies showing signs of violent death.

Sex: Topless female nude statuary is a barely noticed background feature of the architecture of Rivendell, the village of Elves.

Language: Not an issue

Consumerism: Hard to ignore the original Tolkien books, not to mention a plethora of video games, movie tie-in action figures, role-playing games, plus the movie sequels and other existing adaptations.

Drinking, drugs and smoking: Gandalf and Hobbits smoke "pipeweed," a clearly enjoyable experience that makes playful smoke rings and figures. Drinking of vintage wine-like beverages, talk of beer.