Reviews by kids, parents and LotR fans on the top 40 Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring, Two Towers and Return of the King action figures, toys and games updated monthly.

JANUARY 2008

Lord of the Rings - Reviews of Top 40 LOTR Merchandise, Swords, Games, DVD, Action Figures, Toys, Posters and Books

CLICK ANY PIC OR TITLE TO BUY ANY ITEM

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - The Complete Recordings [SOUNDTRACK] $61

The best part about the movie "The Two Towers" for me was Miranda Otto. The second best part was the amazing score and now we get to hear it in all it's original glory. From the unused cues that we get to hear in full to the subtle little touches that Shore dropped in, everything can finally be heard in full, and in 5.1

The unused cues are something that should make film music geeks hate Peter Jackson with a strong passion. Unlike the "Fellowship of the Ring" complete score in which you only heard what was in the movie, in this one you get to hear all the stuff that was cut out for sound, for editing and my least favorite because it didn't fit Peter Jackson's "unique vision". 

In the movie when we first meet Treebeard we hear the same music from the first movie for the "Wraith stabbing sequence", in this we get to hear the original version that Shore composed that was cut out and it is amazing. Lord of the Rings the Two Towers the Complete Recordings is included in the top lord of the rings action figures, toys, swords and games reviews.

The biggest offender to me in terms of music that was cut will be the music on "Gandalf the White" in which you get to hear the original music that Shore wrote for the sequence when Gandalf is talking about how he came back to life. It was completely cut out of the movie and till now the only way you could hear it was in the Fan Club end credits on the Extended cut of "Two Towers". 

The original music for the whole seduction of the ring sequence with Frodo and the Witchking can also be heard here. In the movie we only hear the start then it's gone, and then we hear the end of it after Sam stops Frodo from putting on the ring. In this we get to hear everything and it's a shame it didn't make it because it is a lot more effective with the music than it was with that annoying "oooo" sound that the filmmakers used for the seduction of the ring. I could spend 5 pages discussing the unused so just know that when you click the pic above and buy it you'll not only hear familiar music but brand spanking new ones too.

On this we also get to hear the genius and sense of humor of the master composer that we never heard in the movie due to sound or dialog. Like the little bass marimba he plays when the three hunters are standing out of Fangorn and all the wooden instruments that were cut out from the Treebeard sequences in favor of the sound.

My best advice to all fans of the movie and this music is to watch it with the movie and pretend as if it's an isolated score feature and I guarantee you will love the movie a lot more. All the unused cues when watched with the movie works so well that it makes you wonder why they were cut in the first place. It's really great to watch the return of Gandalf sequence with the original music and the same goes for the whole Frodo and Witchking moment at the end of the movie.

Action music fans will be in heaven with this as the action stuff kicks like a mule. There are lots of great stuff that should shake the subwoofer and make you cover your ears when it's cranked up way too high. The tracks "Retreat", "The Breach of the Deeping Wall", and "Théoden Rides Forth" should make fans of orchestral action happy since it comes on so strongly on the DVD's 5.1 audio.

Unlike most composers Shore doesn't play the same repetitive crap over and over again but actually writes intelligent action stuff that not only serves the movie's purpose, but is an absolute blast to listen to. Shame "The Flooding of Isengard" sequence didn't get its own track because to me that is the best piece of music in the whole movie and again you get to hear unused music on that one as well.

Overall if you're a true film music geek or you appreciate real film music then give this a listen. It's an amazing treatment to what is one of the best pieces of music ever composed and listening to Howard Shore in all his genius is a treat.

And people please stop whining about the price. Just sell your soul to the devil like I did and you should be able to afford it.

J.R.R. Tolkien Boxed Set (The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings) [BOX SET] (Paperback) $20

In other words, I think the reader really kind of missed the point a little bit. Tragedies tend not to be funny in much the same way that epics seem not to be short! Tolkien demonstrates his genius by the intricate detail he incorporates into his stories. This isn't just some fun romping-around adventure. Reading this trilogy is as much like reading a history book -- the history of an entire world that came out of the mind of the author. Not only is it incredible and the author a genius, but almost every other modern fantasy writer roughly uses the "world" and parameters that Tolkien established.

I realize that Tolkien does not need to be defended, but I was laughing so hard at this person's post I had to say something. Calling this epic classic a bit long and poorly made is about the equivalent of saying that the Bible is a pretty good book until it gets sidetracked in the middle with this "Jesus" character, and the book would have been a lot more well done if the author(s) would have avoided that tangent. J.R.R. Tolkien Boxed Set is included in the top lord of the rings action figures, toys, swords and games reviews.

Or it is like saying The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn would have been a good book, if the author would have been more educated and learned how to speak proper English before writing it. Both the previous sentences are about as absurd as calling Tolkien "poorly made."

So, if you have yet to experience The Lord of the Rings, be prepared for an epic work that will take you some time, but be also prepared for one of the most rewarding experiences of your life!

The Lord of the Rings 2007 Calendar $11

The Lord of the Rings 2007 calendar is included in the top lord of the rings action figures, toys, swords and games reviews.

Lord of the Rings: Popular Culture in Global Context (Paperback) $25

Much more than a successful film trilogy, Lord of the Rings has become an unparalleled media phenomenon. Through its impact on regional as well as global industries, and stretching from a British origin over Hollywood to a New Zealand appropriation it has challenged our thinking about the commercial contexts of popular culture. 

Lord of the Rings: Popular Culture in Global Context brings together leading scholars in the fields of media and film studies to explore the various strategies and implications underlying the global presence of Lord of the Rings. Lord of the Rings Popular Culture in Global Context is included in the top lord of the rings action figures, toys, swords and games reviews.

Chapters address how the trilogy has been planned and received as a media business; how it was received by critics and fans, and how spin-offs, franchises, associated media, and indeed the text itself have been affected by its success and appeal. 

The book covers different national contexts and presents a lively and diverse combination of textual, historical and empirical study.

The Lord of the Rings Electronic Armored Cave Troll Action Figure $55

This score will naturally appeal to fans of J.R.R. Tolkien, Peter Jackson, and Howard Shore, but it is also a real gem for anyone interested in the way music is composed and recorded and in the way themes are developed.

This set includes not only the music that was included in the theatrical and extended cuts of FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING, but also additional music that was not included in either version of the film. Highlights from Disc 1 include Gandalf (Ian McKellan) singing a portion of a poem written by Tolkien at the beginning of "Bag End." Bilbo (Ian Holm) can be heard singing the same verse during "Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe." And at the end of "The Nazgul," Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) sings a passage from Tolkien's poem "The Lay of Luthien," as heard in the extended cut of the film. 

Disc 2's biggest highlight, for me, is the track "The Great Eye," which was heard briefly in the extended cut of the movie but is greatly expanded here. This song incorporates the theme for Gondor, which makes a more prominent appearance during RETURN OF THE KING. The Gondor theme can also be heard during Disc 3's "The Mirror of Galadriel." Although there are only nine tracks on the third CD, it is actually the longest disc in the set due to several extended pieces of music that were written to accompany the battle scenes at the end of the film.

Another major plus for this set is the interesting and informative booklet that accompanies it. Rather than taking the easy and obvious route of writing a track-by-track synopsis of the score, writer Douglas Anderson instead identifies instruments, themes and motifs within the music that correspond to specific characters, races and environments in the film. Some of the material may be a bit difficult to grasp for those who are not familiar with the finer points of orchestral composition, but overall, the booklet goes the extra mile and becomes an essential part of the listening experience.

Is there a downside to this set? Yes. Quite frankly, the price is too high (although, thankfully, Beardsmen offers a healthy discount). Don't get me wrong - it's a top-quality collection in every respect. However, in light of the fact that you can get the actual extended cut of the movie, which includes not only the film but more than 6 hours of bonus content spread across 4 DVDs, for about half the price of this collection, something seems amiss. (Also, while the booklet is perfect, it is a few pages shy of the "48" promised on the packaging... why can't the record company just be honest?) It is common knowledge that the score for FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING is actually the shortest of the soundtracks for Peter Jackson's trilogy. 

I can't imagine the scores for THE TWO TOWERS and RETURN OF THE KING fitting on only three CDs. If the forthcoming "complete recordings" for those movies include not three, but FOUR CDs plus a DVD for each set, can we expect the price to go up even higher than this? Probably, but I hope not.

Price concerns aside, this soundtrack comes highly recommended. It is a perfect gift for fans of Tolkien's books, Peter Jackson's movies, and audiophiles in general.

Ken as Legolas in Lord of the Rings $40

Okay, so I am a huge Lord of the Rings fan, and Legolas has always been my favorite character. The Toy Biz Legolas action figures have been great, but their dolls have been, well, ugly. I thought we'd never see a Legolas doll that actually looked as good as he did on film.

Well, "Ken as Legolas" will help you get over the ugly dolls of the past. This one is a piece of art -- thank you, Mattel, for getting it right!

The Legolas doll is even better in person than it appears in the photos. Okay, so it does look more like Ken than Orlando Bloom, but at least he's got a pretty face... not to mention long rooted blond hair and, oh yes, the pointed elf ears! 

The costume is extremely detailed, and very accurate to the film. The accessories, consisting of a quiver, bow & three arrows, are even better. Ken as Legolas in Lord of the Rings is included in the top lord of the rings action figures, toys, swords and games reviews.

The sturdy box is beautiful, with a great photographic background appropriate for the Woodland Elf. It's consistent with all the Fellowship of the Ring packaging done to date, so it will fit right in with the rest of your LOTR collection. I can't comment on how the doll looks or poses out of the box, because mine is staying in. It just makes too beautiful of a package... maybe I'll click the pic above and get a second one someday and find out. There is mention on the box of a doll stand included, but it is not visible from the outside (a big plus).

It's hard to imagine a Legolas doll looking any better, especially for this reasonable price (for a collectible doll, anyway). Yes, they could have made the materials of the costume more deluxe, or sculpted an accurate likeness of Orlando Bloom. But I am happy with this one, and I think you will be, too.

Lord of the Rings Portraits 2007 Calendar $11

Lord of the Rings Portraits 2007 calendar is included in the top lord of the rings action figures, toys, swords and games reviews.

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Theatrical and Extended DVD Limited Edition) $56

Let me accept the fact that LOTR is my most beloved film and I already own the extended editions of the films in one set! I'm really not surprised to see New Line coming up with another edition of the trilogy. With films like these they will squeeze the collectors as much as they can!!

Still, in spite of this new set containing both the theatrical versions and the extended cuts of the films and also the much hyped Costa Botes documentaries, my advise to anyone buying LOTR for the first time is- DO NOT CLICK THE PIC ABOVE AND BUY THIS SET! Spend a little more and you get all the movies in full 6.1 DTS EX glory, along with hours of endless in-depth bonus features which probably you'll spend rest of your life watching!!

Please be aware, these new editions DO NOT contain DTS tracks, no commentary tracks by the director, WETA workshop or the cast. All you get is both versions crammed into one single disc and just one documentary as a bonus on the second disc...AND NOTHING ELSE. 

It would have been a better idea had New Line released the documentaries separately without forcing the consumer to buy the films again....And even this is not the end, once the HD format gains a little more acceptance, they'll have another excuse to come up with a new version of the trilogy! Lord of the Rings Trilogy DVD is included in the top lord of the rings action figures, toys, swords and games reviews.

Beware, Extended edition set is the ultimate LOTR experience, in terms of films or bonus features. Go get it...It's worth all the money spent!!

The Further Adventures of Beowulf: Champion of Middle Earth (Paperback) $11

The saga of Beowulf, the timeless warrior hero, is the earliest adventure chronicle from the English-speaking world, and one that still captivates audiences worldwide — two movies based on the epic are due out in 2007. However, The Further Adventures of Beowulf reveals that the story, as it’s handed down to us, can be seen as unfinished. 

In this revival of the classic legend, four new tales of the epic champion — written by best-selling authors of heroic fantasy Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb, Lynn Abbey, and Wolfgang Baur — are joined with a prose version of the original Beowulf text, revealing the adventures the hero undertakes beyond the original story’s close.

In a series of dramatic interludes editor Brian M. Thomsen re-imagines the influence of the Beowulf epic on J.R.R. Tolkien, recounting how the Oxford don’s own vision of Middle Earth was shaped by it. The Further Adventures of Beowulf Champion of Middle Earth is included in the top lord of the rings action figures, toys, swords and games reviews.

In his introduction he also casts the Beowulf archetype as the true ancestor of modern-day monster slayers from Conan and Van Helsing to Buffy and Ripley, demonstrating by this fine collection what a profound influence the figure of Beowulf has had on pop culture today.

Lord of the Rings Swords, Scabbards and Staffs From $20 to $645

A complete selection of lord of the rings swords, scabbards, staffs and helmets are included in the top lord of the rings action figures, toys, swords and games reviews.

Lord of the Rings Standup Posters From $30 to $35

15 different standup life size posters from the Lord of the Rings movies. Lord of the Rings Standup Posters are included in the top lord of the rings action figures, toys, swords and games reviews.

These include the Hobbit group pictured above, Eowyn, Aragorn, Gollum, Gandalf the Grey, Gandalf the White, 2 Arwens, Saruman, Merry and Pippin, Frodo Baggins, Gimli and Legolas, Smeagol and 2 Legolas's.

Trivial Pursuit: The Lord of the Rings Movie Trilogy Collector's Edition $40

The 300 cards with the 1,800 questions are now divided into the categories of: Good, Evil, Things, Places & History, Warfare, and Making Movies. They are all taken directly from the three films, although you are going to have to wait until the end of the year when "The Return of the King" comes out on DVD and you can listen to the commentary track(s) to have a fighting chance on some of these questions. 

However, if you are a true Lord of the Rings fan then there are expanded rules to raise your game playing to the next level, and I appreciate the effort to provide some sort of appropriate twist so that there is more to this version than the game board and the box of questions. Trivial Pursuit the Lord of the Rings Movie Trilogy Collector's Edition is included in the top lord of the rings action figures, toys, swords and games reviews.

Speaking of the game board, it includes a map of Middle-Earth and along with a replica of the One Ring there are pewter pawns of Frodo, Gandalf, Aragorn and Galadriel, as well as a Ringwraith token that has special powers. 

The big question is whether you have 2-4 friends who are as devoted to the films as you are so that you can actually play the game on a regular basis and not just sit around memorizing all the questions and answers (which sounds like something Saruman would do)

Lord of the Rings Two Towers Series Talking Balrog Battle Gandalf Action Figure $12

This figure is Toy Biz's take on Gandalf the Grey as he appears battling the Balrog at the Bridge of Khazad-dam, Moria, in The Fellowship of the Ring movie.

Although nicely detailed, complete with tousled hair, a dirty robe, a tired yet determined expression, and two accessories, his sword and his staff, this isn't the best of all the Gandalf figures.

His likeness to Ian McKellan, the actor who plays the character in the movie, is not as good as Gandalf the White's from Series 1 of The Two Towers line - for me the best so far. The Electronic Sound Base clearly shouts the phrase "You shall not pass!" in the actor's voice - you can even hear it echoing in the deep halls of Moria - and a couple pegs securely support the figure by its feet when it stands on top of it, but overall it's just a bit too short to give the impression of a long narrow stone bridge. 

And while this figure is actually inspired in a scene from the Fellowship of the Ring movie, it has been cheaply packaged for The Two Towers series by changing the names and pictures on Gandalf the White's card - even the literature on the back is the same. Lord of the Rings Two Towers Series Talking Balrog Battle Gandalf action figure is included in the top lord of the rings action figures, toys, swords and games reviews.

But where this figure really falls short is in the fact that its staff doesn't light up, a feature that was included in the first Gandalf figure to ever come out. I would have gladly paid a couple more bucks to have this figure with that kind of Light-Up Action included. If it had, it probably would have been one of the coolest figures of the entire collection.

Click the pic above and buy it aware of what you're getting.

Monopoly: The Lord of the Rings Collector's Edition includes photography from all three movies.

Buy, sell & trade 28 territories throughout Middle-earth, including Mount Doom & Helms Deep.

Six collectible, unique tokens: Bill the Pony, Gandalf's Hat, Frodo's Sting, Gimli's Ax, the Elven Brooch and Aragorn's Crown. 

For 2 to 6 players. Monopoly the Lord of the Rings Collector's Edition is included in the top lord of the rings action figures, toys, swords and games reviews.

With 4-color film photography and 6 collectible pewter tokens, players vie to own territories throughout Middle-earth™, including Mines of Moria, Edoras and Mount Doom. 

A must-have for The Lord of the Rings enthusiasts!

Lord of the Rings Gandalf 20" Action Figure with Sound $40

From the hit film The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, comes Gandalf the Grey, the heroic wizard of the fellowship. This 20" action figure from NECA is highly detailed and articulated, comes with movie-accurate accessories, and features a motion-activated voice chip. Relive the epic moments of the hit trilogy with this highly anticipated and collectible action figure!

Lord of the Rings Return of the King Arwen in Coronation Gown Action Figure $20

I think it's sad (not to mention bad business) for Toybiz to use the same sculpt of Galadriel for Arwen. This was Arwen's best scene in the movie, as well as the most exquisite dress she wears, and Toybiz should have capitalized on that opportunity to make a great action figure. 

The only positive feature about this particular figure is the sculpting of the crown and hair--which isn't saying much. But unless you are an experienced customizer, this figure is better than nothing. All there is left to hope for is that the next Arwen made, maybe an Arwen of Rivendell or something, does not turn out to be another repaint of Galadriel's body. (Please, Toybiz, Arwen is a great character. There needs to be more Arwen figures, i.e. Arwen in the white bridge dress, Arwen in the requiem dress, Arwen in funeral garb, etc.)

I know Toybiz could have put her on a more Arwen-like body other than using the Galadriel body. But personally I liked it because I've been using this figure to make several great customs of other LOTR characters from the books. Lord of the Rings Return of the King Arwen in Coronation Gown Action Figure is included in the top lord of the rings action figures, toys, swords and games reviews.

She's a perfect figure for customizing. I love her beautiful head garland {very detailed} and her face is perfected! Also you'll love the very lovely slippers on her feet. When customizing a Princess Lothiriel with a Coronation Arwen, I removed the slippers and found that she still had normal feet...I guess it's like this with all of the Arwen figures.

Anyway this figure is great so click the pic and buy her when you can...so far she's been the hardest one to get.

Lord of the Rings Return of the King Merry Action Figure $20

This figure is one of my favorites. It is very detailed, (I love the Rohan armor.) It has a fairly good likeness to Merry from the films, and it is very poseable. This figure is one of the army of figures you'll need to get to complete the Pelennor Fields collection.

Merry has a sword that you can store in his sheath, (Although it's a tight fit). A cool-looking shield that he can either hold or sling across his back, and a sword-slashing action. Lord of the Rings Return of the King Merry Action Figure is included in the top lord of the rings action figures, toys, swords and games reviews.

My only complaint is that one leg is visibly longer than the other, which makes him hard to stand up. I like to display my figures, and making them stand is crucial.

Before receiving Battle For Middle Earth this (gotta love that darling girlfriend), I had read quite a few dismal reviews for it. In case you've read the same BS, I'm going to attempt to clear some things up for you so the naysayers don't bump you away from a great game. So.... The biggest complaints people have had about BFME are:

1. Not enough unit types
2. No strategy

Heh. Wrong and wrong. ---- First off: There are plenty of units spread out between the four playable races in Battle For Middle Earth. If people have a problem with exactly how many units are in the game, they should take it up with Tolkien Enterprises and not the game's developers. EA was only allowed to play off of characters that were in the movies. And I'd say they did a damn good job mustering all they could with a limited rights license.   Lord of the Rings Battle for Middle-Earth PC Game is included in the top lord of the rings action figures, toys and games reviews.

Mordor and Isengard are crawling with different units, but low on heroes. Gondor and Rohan may not be the most well rounded when it comes to troop variations, but let me tell ya: Gondor has Gandalf (his powers are truly awesome to behold in this game ) and then Rohan is chock full of heroes. They have Theoden, Eowyn, Merry, Eomer, Gimli, Aragorn, and Legolas. So it all evens out. I don't care who says what about 'shortage of units'. - They're all there. There are plenty of formations and combinations to try when it comes to the troop equation.

The second blundering re misconception that some reviewers have had, is the whole "Yeah it looks cool, but it's light on strategy" tripe. Dear reader, please listen: This game has every bit as much strategy as Rome: Total War, Age of Mythology, or the beloved Warcraft III. These three aforementioned titles are the games that people keep comparing BFME to when complaining about what they deem to be "lack of strategy." 

In BFME, you need to use the same kind of strategies that you would use in R:TW, Warcraft, or Age Of etc. - You need to strategically choose which troops to attack which sortie with, you need to choose where and when to use magical abilities, you need to balance your base between fortification and upgrades, you need to decide when to launch severe assaults and when to buckle down and build up, you need to put your troops in different formations for different attacks, and you need to decide when and how to expand throughout the map and take various outposts in order to attain more resources etc. 

I don't know about you but I'm seeing plenty of strategy here. I've even heard several geniuses say, "Yeah, well in R:TW you can flank, but in BFME you can't." **Attention** Just because Battle For Middle Earth doesn't have a fancy 'Flank Button,' doesn't mean that you don't use the technique of flanking. God forbid if everything isn't pre-programmed for these people. It's called Move your troops around your enemy with queued mouse clicks, and then hit them from the side or behind. Not exactly rocket science. And, I'm sorry, but what the hell is so strategic about Warcraft 3? - You fight using large forces of troops supplemented with magical abilities... gee, that sounds familiar... It's the formula for just about every RTS game that's ever been made.

BFME follows this formula too and it's a lot of fun. And BFME is also the first RTS game I've ever seen to successfully employ a fun siege feature. In BFME, you'll find yourself holing up in your base with an opening and closing gate while the enemy tries to scale the walls and knock in the doors with battering rams etc. You need to place defenses on your walls, man it with archers, and choose when to open up and bring the fight to your foes. Now I have to say, on EA's part, they did some damn fine designing there. And most importantly: they made it FUN.

The game's graphics, as I'm sure you've heard, are great. The only thing you need to worry about there is updating your drivers, getting the patches, and not cranking your settings too high. This game is a resource hog. I'm playing it on a Pentium 4, 3.0ghz cpu with 512mb 2700 ram and a GeForce fx5200 card. I have it on 1024 resolution with the detail set to medium. It looks great and it runs great. 

Even though my computer meets and exceeds the requirements, the frame rate gets demolished in the bigger battles if your settings are too high. So that's something to keep in mind. But even so, on medium setting, there is nothing to complain about. Gorgeous and fun effects. Gee, there's that word fun again.

The sound/music is great too. Top notch. The din of battle is great in this game. Clanging, thudding, explosions, cheering and screaming etc. They really did a great job of capturing that chaotic clamor of the movie battles. - And the music is pulled straight from the films as well, so you know it's awesome. 

Remember in The Two Towers when Gandalf arrives with Eomer at Helm's Deep and they charge down the hill into the waiting sea of Uruks? Well the really beautiful and bittersweet sounding song that's played at that part in the film is called Forth Eorlingas. What's cool, is that in BFME, you'll be charging into battle and that song will come on... you know - the long drawn out and eerily beautiful vocals? Yeah, well, that song will sometimes start to play as you charge towards the enemy ranks throughout the game. It is rather chuff and inspiring, if I may say. This game is fun and oddly moving in a way. Especially if you're big into the films. Nicely done.

As for the actual gameplay: you traverse the storyline from the side of good or evil and follow the events of the movies. But the cool thing here is, you get to play ancillary (secondary or extra) battles where you get to build up armies and villages and fight skirmishes. 

The storyline from the film is played out in full, but interspersed with all sorts of fun additional battles along the way. BFME is a long game. There is at least 20-30 hours of gameplay here with the storyline alone. And after you complete the story modes, you get to go back and fight skirmishes with the AI and also with other LOTR geeks like myself, online.

BFME is a fun ride. You get to relive 3 great movies through some great RTS action/gameplay. Plenty of strategy and plenty of fun. Lots and lots of fun. Once again EA proves to us that it's possible to take a massive movie license and make a great game out of it. Anyways, take my word for it: This game does not disappoint. Click the pic above and order this bad boy and go have yourself a bloody-guts good time in Middle Earth.

The greatest fantasy of all time is now an epic pinball game for all ages. The goal of THE LORD OF THE RINGS pinball machine is to collect the Elf Rings, the Dwarf Rings, and the mortal men rings, thereby forming The One Ring. 

Then destroy The One Ring through collecting all three movies.

Lord of the Rings Tactics PSP Video Game $38

The Lord of the Rings Tactics puts players in the universe of Middle-earth from the books and films and allow them to lead the Fellowship or take control of the forces of Shadow. The tactical RPG game features a rich system of items, upgrades and skills for the player to customize their heroes. 

Players can guard their heroes, which include Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Frodo, Gandalf and Sauron, among others. They can also seize high ground, set ambushes and trap enemies while fighting battles across famous locations of the books and films to determine the future of Middle-earth.

The Lord of the Rings Tactics features a multiplayer mode that allows up to four players to pit their customized heroes via WiFi. A unique, simultaneous turn-taking system allows for fast-paced play.

The Lord of the Rings - 515 Posters From $6 to $92

LORD OF THE RINGS LEGOLAS LUNCH BOX W/ THERMOS Gift $20

Lord of the Rings Legolas Metal Lunch Box! Lord of the Rings Legolas Lunch Box is included in the top lord of the rings action figures, toys, swords and games reviews.

This is a Full Size Lunchbox, made of metal, AND ships complete with matching thermos inside, just like the classic lunchboxes of the 70's.

Lord of the Rings Return of the King GOLLUM with PRECIOUS Sound Action Figure $8

Lord of the Rings 27" FRODO STING SWORD Master Replicas $45

My son is a sword nut (8 years old), it has been his dream to have a real sword, unfortunately he would also like to run around swinging it.

I was amazed at this sword and how well it looks. With the metal handle and the balance it is very close to handling a real one.

I am just very impressed. Lord of the Rings Frodo Sting Sword is included in the top lord of the rings action figures, toys, swords and games reviews.

This sword is awesome. Whether you just want to hang it up on your wall, or use it for a Halloween costume, it's perfect. On other sites you see that a sting replica sword ranges from 200-400 dollars--and it doesn't even glow! This, however, has all of the effects of the Sting from the original movie, and it's cheap! I recommend this completely. It doesn't matter if it has no educational value: because that's not what it was made for!

My 8 year old son really wanted a real sword to hang on his wall but I could not bring myself to buy such a dangerous item. This sword is very nice! I ordered it through Beardsmen and this was standard shipping. Beardsmen is great!

The Lord of the Rings (50th Anniversary Edition) (Leather Bound) $63

While the price of this book is steep, this is easily the best version of this book in existence. The gilded pages and high-quality leather look, smell and feel wonderful. This is not the questionable quality leather used on previous versions, this is the real deal. More importantly, this version has, as J.R.R. recorded in letters, reproductions of the Book of Marzubul. 

These are the pages from the Dwarven book found in the Mines of Moria by Gandalf and the Fellowship. In the beginning and ending of the book are also included maps that fold out to render Middle-earth for the reader, again as the author originally wanted.

This is the book that Tolkien dreamed of having published but couldn't due to the realities of post-WWII publishing costs and questions about a 400,000 word publication.  Lord of the Rings 50th Anniversary Edition is included in the top lord of the rings action figures, toys and games reviews.

For me, there is an emotional response to this book for two reasons. One, it is as fine or better than the book the author originally wished to have published and two, it is a beautiful piece of art all on its own, suitable for display. If you love books or love Tolkien or both, this is a must have and the centerpiece of any worthy collection.

If you are a 'LOTR' fan then this is the edition to have. I have had all of the edition's so far & this is the best. It has a leather cover which is dark gray & the pages are stitched not just glued & restored text it is well worth the price Beardsmen has for it. Reviews of Lord of the Rings Action Figures, Toys, Swords.

It's amazing! One of my most exciting dreams has come true! I'm now the owner of an English edition of "The Lord of the Rings". And a truly spectacular edition it is, I might add. The mere fact of reading such a story using such a book, makes one enjoy the experience even more vividly. I do not exaggerate by saying that Master Tolkien would be proud of this work. This edition is a masterpiece in itself.

As an owner of numerous editions, I welcome this latest revision in honor of the 50th anniversary. The soft leather cover is quite nice to the touch and the printing quality is superlative. The numerous revisions to the text are welcome and the two-colored printing in spots is similar to the deluxe editions from 30 years ago.

If you desire an excellent edition at a very affordable price, this is the one to click the pic above and get. Highly recommended.

Weathertop Replica $100

The ruined and aged watchtower of Amol Sûl is expertly captured in heavyweight polystone. The base bottom features the Lord of the Rings logo and the hand-numbered edition size of 3,000. Measures 4-inches x 5-inches x 9-inches. 

As darkness once again threatens to descend over Middle Earth, far away in the sleepy meadows of the Shire, young Hobbit, Frodo Baggins learns that the mysterious Ring he has inherited may hold the key to victory in the coming war. Now as evil servants of the rising Dark Lord reach even the Shire and learn the name 'Baggins,' Frodo must embark upon a dangerous quest to destroy the Ring. Weathertop Replica is included in the top lord of the rings action figures, toys, swords and games reviews.

Pursued relentlessly and taking only those he can trust most closely, he must leave his home and travel into perils unimaginable lest all of Middle Earth fall into darkness and ruin. Once the site of the ancient watchtower of Amol Sûl, the flat summit of Weathertop is now a waning jumble of dead ruins. All around the windswept hill the desolate rolling Weather Hills stretch under a leaden sky. 

In their flight from the Ringwraiths, Frodo and his party are lead to Weathertop by Strider. There, the Hobbits are overtaken by their shadowy pursuers and the Ranger must use all his warrior's skill to defend them.

Lord of the Rings: Battle For Middle Earth II XBox 360 Video Game $50

Let me start by saying I'm a huge RTS fan, if only I could have all those hours back, never learn I guess. Ok down to business, when I fired up LOTRBFME 2 I immediately went online and played a couple matches ranked and unranked. I prefer to play unranked cause you get a lot more variety of players and not just the ones who are in it for the rankings. The ranked part is only beneficial for those who want to keep track of all their stats like how many wins and losses and how many kills etc. I mean if leaderboards are your thing more power to you. The fact that you can talk smack while your ents are pummeling someone's fortress is great adding some definite competition factor I add hours of fun playing online alone. 

The ea server worked very well. The games never had too much lag or any boots. Sometimes when both sides would have massive amounts of units onscreen there would be a hardly noticeable lag. Lord of the Rings Battle for Middle Earth II XBox 360 video game is included in the top lord of the rings action figures, toys, swords and games reviews.

There still is a good amount of strategy though most players do a building rush along with the typical build more units than the other and keep attacking strategy. The fact that walls are expensive and difficult to rebuild and are somewhat weak kind of makes it hard for the defensive player who likes to build a nice base and wear down the enemy. But the game still has a lot to offer as far as variety is concerned there are a lot of races with different strengths and weaknesses so learning the goods and bads of each while developing a strategy to exploit the strengths of your race adds replay value. 

There are a few hang-ups. Managing units is difficult. You'll find yourself ordering your entire army just to kill a single enemy squad. Very hard grouping of units makes it very difficult. Also the map is pretty useless other than to give you an overview of the land and you can't make it larger to order units to specific parts and such. 

Also the resource gathering is a pain forcing you to spread out to get maximum efficiency from them. Hopefully they can somehow fix some of the more frustrating problems with an update from XBox live. Bottom line if you have XBox live, or you're a LotR fan then this is a definite buy. If not then you might want to wait for the price to drop.

Gandalf AND Saruman Staffs Special $237

The Famous Gandalf the White Staff with the Staff of Saruman in one Great Package. 

Set at a Very Special Price! 

Limited Quantities, Discontinued by Manufacturer!

Tolkien Calendar 2007 $11

The late J.R.R. Tolkien is the father of fantasy writing as it is known today. 

His works are loved by millions, and leading illustrators vie for the honor of appearing in the Tolkien calendar. Tolkien Calendar 2007 is included in the top lord of the rings action figures, toys, swords and games reviews.

The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King (Theatrical and Extended Limited DVD Edition) $26

Peter Jackson's epic adaptation of "Lord of the Rings" reaches its pinnacle in "Return of the King." The stellar cast, mind-blowing special effects and heartbreaking script are all present in the third movie, which is not only the last of the "Lord of the Rings" films, but the best.

Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) are still following the treacherous Gollum (Andy Serkis) on the path to Mordor, with the increasingly strained Frodo unaware that Gollum is sowing suspicion between the two best friends. By the time he realizes his mistake, he's been dragged into the lair of Shelob, a monstrous spider, and then abducted by orcs who want the Ring he carries. Determined to find his friend, Sam heads into an orc citadel...

Meanwhile, Gandalf (Ian McKellen) takes Pippin (Billy Boyd) with him to Minas Tirith, after the hobbit has a close encounter with Sauron through a palantir. Not only is the city under siege, but the Steward Denethor is slowly going insane, even sending his one remaining son, Faramir (David Wenham), on a suicide mission to reclaim a dead city. With Minas Tirith crumbling, Aragorn's (Viggo Mortensen) only hope may be to summon an army of the dead, who will only obey the King of Gondor. But even the dead won't help him if Frodo doesn't destroy the Ring...

The "Lord of the Rings" trilogy is one of those once-in-a-lifetime movie experiences. There has never been anything quite like it in movie history, and there probably never will be again. It seems somehow fitting that the book that every other fantasy has to measure up to, has now become a sweeping cinematic triumph that actually stays halfway loyal to the books. Good things come to fans who wait, I guess. Lord of the Rings Return of the King DVD is included in the top lord of the rings action figures, toys, swords and games reviews.

Peter Jackson really outdoes himself. You know those battle scenes in "Two Towers" and "Fellowship of the Ring," with the swooping camera and thousands of orcs, clashing with men on a gloomy battlefield? In "Return of the King," Jackson surpasses that. There's everything from volcanic eruptions to an invasion of howling ghosts to the attack of the oliphaunts (like elephants, only bigger). Each action scene a shattering ride, and there's no guarantee that all the beloved characters will make it out alive. Some of them don't.

But if Jackson manages the epic battles well, he does an even better job with the gentler, quieter moments. The action slows down, and the characters take a moment to support and comfort each other. They cry, they hug, they think about home -- such as Gandalf comforting the frightened Pippin with a description of the afterlife. Jackson and his fellow screenwriters Fran Walsh and Phillippa Boyens throw themselves into the semi-formal language of Tolkien's world, resculpting Tolkien's words into equally rich movie dialogue.

Elijah Wood gives an unparalleled performance as Frodo Baggins. Frodo's gradual deterioration is wrenching to watch, and the climactic scene at Mount Doom displays just what the Ring can do to even the pure-hearted hobbit. Sean Astin follows up with his powerful performance as Sam, who is increasingly the "strong" hobbit, rather than the follower. The final scenes between these two outstanding actors are beautiful and understated.

But all the supporting cast also give powerful performances -- Boyd and Dominic Monaghan put their characters through some intense growing pains, and the "I'm going to take care of you" scene is enough to bring tears to your eyes. Mortensen gets more kingly every moment, while Ian McKellen balances action with grandfatherly wisdom. Bernard Hill has a quietly moving final scene, while Miranda Otto makes the despairing Eowyn a strong, kick-butt heroine.

Perhaps the most striking thing about "Return of the King" is the final fourth of the film. While the "multiple endings" may annoy some viewers, it seems somehow right to gently let go of these characters rather than have a sudden, splashy finale. And whether they have a happy or sad ending, Jackson never lets us forget that they all made sacrifices to battle Sauron.

This edition contains both versions of the movie -- the original, shorter theatrical version, and the second extended edition with lots of extra footage. While the first one has nostalgia value, the second is undoubtedly the best. The scenes cause the movie to cleave more closely to the original novel, and even when they deviate -- such as Saruman's dramatic finale -- they add to the flow of the movie. There is also a special documentary filmed behind the scenes, apparently to draw in completists who just need EVERYTHING.

"Return of the King" brings the epic "Lord of the Rings" trilogy to a close, and cements Jackson's reputation as a master filmmaker. With the outstanding cast, beautiful scripting and amazing direction, this is the best of the "Lord" films -- and that's saying something.

This is an Edible Image decoration. (Cakes NOT included) (1 per pkg.) 

CAUTION: Do not remove the edible cake art image from its air-tight plastic bag until the cake is frosted and ready for the decoration to be put on it. Air dries the edible cake art and makes it brittle and cracked! If this happens, the edible will not peel off the paper backing. 

Simple and easy to use, comes with "photo" instructions... Just peel off the paper backing and lay the sugar art on top of your freshly frosted cake, then gently smooth with your finger tips. After approximately 15 to 20 minutes, the sugar art blends in with the frosting and gives it an almost air-brushed look. Lord of the Rings Decorating Cake Kit is included in the top lord of the rings action figures, toys, swords and games reviews.

Shelf Life: Image is packaged in what appears to be a grocery store Ziplock bag, but it is made of mylar. Do not refrigerate or put in freezer. Keep away from sunlight and direct light and at normal room temperatures -- placing flat in a cupboard or drawer is great. This is a moisture sensitive product made of completely edible ingredients. When placed on food, it absorbs moisture and becomes soft, blending with the food. Under these conditions, the edible cake art image will last six months to one year. 

Three steps to using an edible cake art image carefully: Remove backing from the sugar sheet, add to a frosted cake and gently tap down edges. That is all there is to using this product.

I clicked the pic above and bought this toy for my 4 year-old son. I thought, if the game sucked then the sword itself was worth the money. It turned out to be one of the best toy purchases I've ever made! 

My son loves playing it and on days when he can't go out to play, it gives him a good upper body workout. The top of our TV sits too high for him so we have to tilt the motion/light sensor thingy angled down. We also had to buy an adapter, which it didn't come with but the manual tells you exactly what kind to get, because the batteries didn't last too long. Lord of the Rings Warrior of Middle Earth is included in the top lord of the rings action figures, toys, swords and games reviews.

Aside from those two things, I think this game is great for kids and adults alike! Oh yeah, this is the only, what I consider, "violent" game my sons owns. It doesn't have bloody and gory scenes nor does it contain profanity.

Kurt Bruner and Jim Ware's book attempts to highlight some of the positive attributes of Tolkien's Rings trilogy, but sadly fall short, in my opinion. There's discussion of happiness, contentedness, loyalty, all that stuff. But the book ends there, having discussed only these "nice" qualities. Finding God in the Lord of the Rings is included in the top lord of the rings action figures, toys, swords and games reviews.

In my opinion, God can be found in much deeper ways in LotR than just the positive human goodness. One of the analogies that I've heard brought out of the books is the fact that Frodo, Gandalf and Aragorn constitute the Priest, Prophet and King, the three offices of Christ. (Frodo bears the Sin [Ring] away from the others, Gandalf can obviously be thought of as a prophet, and Aragorn as the King)

There are many other analogies that one can find, if one examines closely, the works of Tolkien, and this book only scratches the surface. I sure hope someone else writes a more in-depth look at the books so everybody doesn't lump The Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia in with Harry Potter and stuff like that...there is a difference!

Fans can continue to build their collection of Middle Earth inhabitants as they anticipate the final climatic battle for Middle Earth. 

This new assortment of action figures features laser scan technology that flawlessly captures the look of the characters and accessories from the live-action film. The Lord of the Rings Action Figures Return of the King Sam in Orc Armor is included in the top lord of the rings action figures, toys, swords and games reviews.

The figures are brought to life with action features that allow kids to re-enact the battles between good and evil. 

Includes Sam Gamgee in Orc Armor.

Lord of the Rings - Reviews of Top 40 LOTR Merchandise, Swords, Games, DVD, Action Figures, Toys, Posters and Books

Lord of the Rings reviews by kids, parents and LotR fans on the top 40 Lord of the Rings action figures, toys and games featuring Lord of the Rings Two Towers Complete Recordings Soundtrack, J.R.R. Tolkien Box Set, Return of the King 6" Figure Treebeard, Lord of the Rings 2007 Calendar and Lord of the Rings Popular Culture in Global Context Paperback.