The Fellowship of the Ring

The 19th of December will mark the 10th anniversary of the release of The Fellowship of the Ring in theaters.  Back when it was released, I was a thirteen year old on the cusp of becoming a full fledged geek.  I had read children's fantasy for several years but experiencing Lord of the Rings, both movies and books, marked my irrevocable entrance into geekdom. 

I saw that first movie five times in the theater - each time with a different set of people.  I saw it first with my parents for my dad's birthday.   I remember the sort of breathless excitement I had going in that first time.  I wanted so much to know what it was going to be like, but, at the same time, I dreaded it.  I wondered who would play Pippin?  Would they include Tom Bombadil?  Would they change everything?   Would it be awful?  I waited as the trailers played through and the haunting music began.  Then that breathy prologue started began, and I knew I wasn't going to be disappointed.  I loved that movie from beginning to end, and I'll never forget the euphoric feeling of experiencing that movie for the first time.       

After watching LOTR, I began chain reading other epic fantasy series like Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time and Terry Brooks' Sword of Shannara series.    I fell in love with other fantasy movies like Willow and Ladyhawke.  I talked incessantly about hobbits and followed the actors online.  My cousin and I wrote slash laden stories for each other and made Pippiny cards and shirts for all occasions.  I wrote quiz books and made unfortunately long LOTR inspired skits at youth group movie nights.  I waited with baited breath for the next movie to come out and then the next.      

It was such a fun time to be introduced to the fantasy genre.  I was able to see LOTR in the theater and collect all the fun, geeky toys and game as they were released.  I was able to watch award shows and root on writers, directors, and films for the first time.  I could talk to all sorts of people about the stories and the characters and the actors.  I really was able to feel a sense of community over these books and movies which is something I've only ever experienced since with Harry Potter.  

I will always cherish my time as an unabashed LOTR fan.  I might not love the movies as much as I used to or EVER plan to read the books again, but this series introduced me to fantasy and to a community of really interesting and enthusiastic people.  And for that, I will always be thankful.