We're planning on going to see it this weekend (family night out), but I did see the "Behind the scenes: Making of Lord of the Rings." The construction of the scenery took three years. They actually went into the New Zealand countryside and built the city, planted plants and made sure that they had matured enough to make the scenery look "old."
The director is absolutely OBSESSIVE about staying true to Tolkien. He approached the project with something of a "religious reverence" and set out to create a tribute to the author. Apparently, he has done it. I will find out for sure this weekend.
