I’m sure it took many people by surprise when it was announced that Peter Jackson, director of such low-budget splatter films as Meet the Feebles and Braindead, was helming an adaptation of one of the most beloved stories in the English language. But Jackson spent years prepping his take on J. R. R. Tolkien’s masterpiece, and it shows.

Every single detail of the film — the incredible sets of the Shire, Rivendell, and Moria; the immaculate costumes and groundbreaking visual effects; Howard Shore’s sweeping score — is absolutely breathtaking to experience. Although Jackson makes some pretty significant changes to Tolkien’s story, he ably captures its essence, and his telling is aided by a phenomenal cast that includes Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Sean Bean, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, and Hugo Weaving — to name but a few.

The result is a cinematic work for the ages, one that truly whisks you away to another world in a manner that can only be described as magical. And of course, it sets up what is surely one of the greatest and most significant movie trilogies that’s ever been made — or ever will be made.