LOTR...I'm sure I'm not the only one

I broke down and bought the new extended edition 12-disc set of Lord of the Rings just before the holidays so I was able to watch it during my week off. Now that's a lot of movie, so much, in fact, that I was only able to watch the movies and had to put aside all the extras (with the exception of the actors' commentary on the second half of the third film).

Highlights:

• Orlando Bloom, who is pretty.
• tons of extra scenes, complete with special effects, put right into the movie (i.e. not in a separate menu that you have to watch on its own). My only complaint here is that a couple of the scenes were not cut into the film with the fluidity that they should have been. Highlights of the extra stuff: lots more with the Ents in the second film; more Saruman in the third film (Christopher Lee's rather arrogant indignation at being cut out rubbed me the wrong way; but he is amazing in this role); the scene in the Houses of Healing, as Eowyn fights for her life; the extended post-battle sequence at Minas Tirith, which more accurately shows the passage of time as Pippin looks for Merry on the battlefield; more Orlando:)
• the packaging is just beautiful...it tells a story on its own (and the chapter list includes notations for all extended and added scenes). My niece thought it was books when I showed her. Granted, she's only two and a half...:)
• the actors' commentary, especially the boys (the hobbits and Orlando) talking about Cate Blanchett. There were some crushes there...
• The Lighting of the Beacons...still just as beautiful, and one of the few scenes that stayed as it was in the theatrical release (goes to show that they probably kept in most of the footage).
• Frodo asking Gandalf which way to turn as they leave Rivendell with the Fellowship. I didn't remember this from the original film - either way it's cute:)

I think that's it...I guess what I'm saying is that if you are a fan of the films, this set is well worth the money. These films were always a monumental cinematographic achievement. The DVDs add to that achievement.

Enjoy!!