I got LOTR:Risk for Christmas, and its been well used since. Matter of fact, bunch of us are getting together tonight to play it
In my opinion its the most well balanced version of Risk out there (mind you I haven't played 2210 yet, although it is on my "to buy" list).
The ring is a really cool addition. It's used as a quasi-timer to help shorten game lengths. The ring follows a path starting from the Shire and goes to Mt. Doom. Each turn it moves down the path from territory to territory. Once it reachs Mt. Doom, game over. There's at least 18-20 territories to go through before it reaches Mt. Doom. Adds a lot of strategy as well (which I can't get into right now cuz I'm strapped for time....)