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Title: Lame stuff
Review: Unless you're the sort of hopeless fan who swoons with delight at any mention of Middle-earth, this documentary is dreary stuff. The vaunted three-dimensional maps are rudimentary at best; the maps already in the books are far superior for conveying detail and flavor. As for the live-action interludes re-creating scenes from the books ... well, let's just say they're a little too middle school-ish for Middle-earth. The film clips of J.R.R. Tolkien speaking in his rapid-fire mumble leave one feeling sorry for the students who had to take notes during his lectures. The package is rounded out with kitsch-sodden calendar art from the Brothers H that makes one happy that Alan Lee's painting were the visual guidepost for Peter Jackson's films.
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