Lord of the Rings: Return of the King Movie Review:


The battle of Helm's Deep is over but the war for Middle Earth is about to begin. As Aragorn (Mortensen) rallies the remaining soldiers of the Rohan to come to the aid of Gondor, Gandalf (McKellen) rides to Minas Tirith to prepare the city for the first attack of Sauron's forces. Meanwhile Frodo (Wood) and Sam (Astin) are getting closer to Mordor but unbeknownst to them, Gollum (Serkis) is leading them into a trap.

As the trilogy comes to an end, Peter Jackson and his cast and crew deliver another a truly astounding piece of cinema.

After setting new standards with Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers, the team have given us The Return of the King and it surpasses all expectations. This is an astonishing movie to complete the story of the battle for the future of Middle Earth. Usually the third movie of a series can be a let down, just look at The Godfather Part III, Alien 3 and even Return of the Jedi but The Return of the King is the highlight of trilogy. Cinematic history has been made, as these three films will be heralded for years to come as the best trilogy of films ever to grace the sliver screen.

The look of movies gets progressively better as the story continues. The filmmakers are on a learning curve that has culminated in the most technically advanced and astonishing looking film of the series. If you thought you were impressed by the battle of Helm's Deep in The Two Towers, wait until you watch the fight for Minas Tirith, it makes Helm's Deep seem like a schoolyard scrap. This is the biggest battle scene ever put to film and your jaw will be constantly on the floor for the entire sequence. From the charge of the Rohan warriors to the fight with the Witch King, each scene will amaze and astound you with their sheer technical brilliance. Hats off again to the team at WETA Digital, who have now raised the bar again in the special effects field. Each shot is pure perfection and an absolute feast for the eye. From there seamless special effects to the extremely detailed set and costume designs, the team has now set the standard in every field of effects filmmaking.

The performances of the cast just get better and better. We have got to know these characters really well over the last two movies to the point that you really care for their welfare and live every moment of their ordeal. Sir Ian McKellen excels as Gandalf as his power and presence grow, having a major influence on the powers of good. McKellen exudes class and dignity, making you believe that he has the respect of everyone he comes into contact with. Viggo Mortensen makes Aragorn one of the great hero characters of cinema history. This is a man who you would pledge your life to as he exudes passion and belief in what is right to the point that you know that he will triumph over evil, even with insurmountable odds. Orlando Bloom and John Rhys-Davis as Legolas and Gimli might not have as much screen time as in the previous adventures but there presence is felt in key scenes and their contest for the most kills in a battle continues. Bernard Hill and Miranda Otto shine King Théoden and Éowyn, the pride of the Rohan with both characters showing courage and strength that is an example to all. Andy Serkis gets his chance of onscreen recognition as we find out how Smeagol became Gollum in the pre-title sequence. His performance as the obsessed coveter of the Ring sets the standard in the performance of virtual characters. He doesn't just provide the voice, he provides the actions and facial expressions for the wizards of WETA to create Gollum. This is a complete new form of acting that really does deserved to be recognised.

It is the Hobbits that have the biggest transformation however. They have transformed from the timid, scared young halflings from the Shire we met in The Fellowship of the Ring into warriors for good. Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd show the true courage of Merry and Pippin. The happy go lucky pair we first met now know the meaning of what they are fighting for and give there all to the cause, with the two actor's performances reflecting the friendship they have made both off and on screen. Elijah Wood comes into his own as Frodo by showing the all consuming influence of the Ring. His character has really grown through the series and Wood has depicted Frodo's deterioration with great skill. Sean Astin's Sam takes centre stage in the final chapter by becoming the hero of the piece. Astin's performance is exceptional, as Sam shows sheer determination and no thought for his own safety as he helps Mr Frodo complete his task.

What sets the Lord of the Rings apart from any other adaptation or big budget movie for that matter is its major emphasis on story telling. The trilogy could have been so easily a collection of action set pieces with minor filler to get you to the next explosive sequence. These films are different because of the sheer respect given to the source material, leading to a fair amount of character and development. This is what makes the films so superior to other big budget Hollywood fair because you actually care about these characters and their situation. You feel Frodo pain, you understand Sam's loyalty, you want to be as courageous as Aragon, Legolas and Gimli and you want to be as wise as Gandalf.

The Lord of the Rings movies are pure cinema. It is what going to the movies is all about, complete escapism. These films take you to a different world but a world we recognise and a fight we can identify with. Good vs. Evil, plain and simple but the storyline and characters draw you in to their lives and make you care. This is a rarity in film and should be treasured.

The Return of the King completes the epic series in stunning style. It is the highlight of the trilogy but is just part of an amazing tale of courage, endeavour and fellowship. You can now watch The Lord of the Rings in its entirety and realise watching something very special, made by a devoted cast and crew who love and adore the material on which it is based.

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy is a cinematic masterpiece.

Star Rating = * * * * *

Jamie Kelwick

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Peter Jackson’s incredibly adapted films of J.R.R. Tolken’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy ends triumphantly with “The Return of the King.” In perhaps the best film trilogy ever made, “The Return of the King” comes nowhere close to being a disappointing conclusion. All comes into full circle by the completion of this third piece, which is just as amazing and if not greater than the previous two films, “The Fellowship of the Ring,” and “The Two Towers.”

Virtually picking up the pieces where “The Two Towers,” the powerful evil of Sauron is escalating with the only hope for Middle Earth relying in the hands of the Hobbit Frodo (Elijah Wood). The carrier of the all-powerful One Ring continues to make his way through Mordor to Mount Doom in efforts to destroy the ring in its fires. Frodo is growing weaker by the weight of his chosen destiny and is accompanied by his loyal fellow Hobbit Sam (Sean Astin) and the bi-polar creature obsessed with the ring, Gollum (Andy Serkis), whom remains their guide.

The film’s title character, Aragon (Viggo Mortensen), the dwarf Gimli (John Rhys-Davies), the elf Legolas (Orlando Bloom), and Rohan’s King Theoden (Bernard Hill), Ewoyn (Miranda Otto), and Eomer (Karl Urban) prepare to find reinforcements for the final battle against the evil Sauron. The battleground is outside of the city of Minas Tirith, which is where the Wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellan) leads a standstill against three different forces sent by Sauron, which include Orcs, Trolls, and Mumakil (reflective of huge elephants). The assault is known as the famous Battle of the Pelennor Fields by the fans of the book.

All the characters of the original fellowship, as well as others are tested and led to fighting for their existence. The conclusion to this immense story of a different world, friendship, honor, and freedom is brilliantly orchestrated and unbelievably spectacular.

This review will not go into detail about plot points or certain examples of the film, do to its credible high volume. However, it will be a real shame if Peter Jackson is not given his worthy awards (Oscars, Golden Globes, etc) this year. The work this New Zealand filmmaker has done over the past seven years to bring Tolkien’s work from book to screen is not only vastly impressive, but also an accomplishment of perceived impossibility. With this final installment of “The Return of the King,” Jackson once again delivers one of the best blockbusters to ever grace the screen. His commanding choices in these films will be talked about in cinema history forever. The battle sequences in “The Return of the King” are jaw dropping and some of the most visually stunning scenes you will ever see in a film. Jackson also properly uses CGI to its greatest advantages, which contributes so effectively to this world and the art that he creates. The CGI never becomes the total awe of the film; it is just a piece of the whole puzzle that has been relished on the screen. The emotion in the film is real and moving with the focused theme of this broad story consisting of “good vs. evil.”

The ensemble cast of the film is once again terrific as in the previous two films, with the only noticeable new face being John Noble as the ignorant Steward of Minas Tirith, Denethor. Sean Astin sort of stands alone in his scenes with Frodo’s quest in Mordor; he has more moments to himself and never misses a beat. Astin could be the one recipient of award nominations for acting in this installment, though the whole cast is solid.

The complaints about the film will come from the loyal Tolkien fans about what Jackson has cut from the book, or left in. The most obvious is the total abandonment of the evil character of Saruman (Christopher Lee), whom was so important in the previous two films. Saruman does not ever appear on the screen in “The Return of the King,” but is given spoken closure by Gandalf. There are other cuts made by Jackson through out that might have been shot, but cut in this film version, in which there will be an extended edition of “The Return of the King” on DVD. One obvious example is when the sinistering Black Captain of the Nazgul, states that he in some way will handle Gandalf during the Battle of Pelennor Fields, but the two never meet. These are just a few nit-picky aspects that may be found, but neither comes close to hurting the film at all. Some might not even catch the choices, do to the non-stop excitement of the film.

Also commendable is Jackson courageous choice of ending the film the way he wanted to, without making too many cuts. The film seems like it concludes in five different moments, but continues forth with more vital information to the story and the characters. The patience and dedication of all years to make this trilogy reflects in the nature and magnitude of this and the other two films. There may never be another set of films to live up to the standards of these three.

Grade: A+

12/17/03

Joseph C. Tucker

After a near seven year odyssey, visionary director Peter Jackson concludes his epic "tour-de-force" telling of "The Lord of the Rings". His three part
epic has brought audiences to their feet as each chapter pushed the envelope on how long a feature film presentation could be. Probably the biggest box office gamble in Hollywood history finally concludes. But is the final installment worth waiting for or is it just some halfling dropping a ring
into molten lava?

The third chapter picks up close to the conclusion of last winter's "The Two Towers". Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) are still being escorted by the waif and tormented Gollum (Andy Serkis) deep into enemy territory as the stranglehold of evil still threatens to overcome Frodo.

Meanwhile, Gandalf (Ian McKellan), Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) come upon Merry (Dominic
Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd) after the defeat of Saruman. The heroes return to Rohan where they are welcomed by King Theoden (Bernard Hill) and
Eowyn (Miranda Otto).

But rising ever so quickly, the evil forces of Sauron look towards the weakening kingdom of Gondor for an epic defeat. Gondor's capital Minas Tirith, homeland of fallen comrade Boromir (Sean Bean), is a classic warrior based city which has seen its powerful leadership wean with Boromir's father
and the kingdom's steward, Denethor (John Noble). If Gondor falls, the whole of Middle Earth will fall beside it. The heroes, the hobbits and the people
of Rohan must once more lock swords with the evil of Sauron in hopes of securing of regal destiny for one of the heroes and the freedom of Middle
Earth. Can one small insignificant hobbit finally achieve his destiny? Can the forces of Sauron finally be destroyed? It comes down to this
free-for-all and may the best man, woman, elf, dwarf, orc or hobbit win.

Peter Jackson's conclusion is as long and drawn out as his previous films. Jackson begins his third chapter with a lot of slow key story points and
eventually emerges into the epic battle for Minas Tirith. This battle is probably the best battle of the trilogy and is utter magic. The problem with
this sequence being so good is that overshadows a lot of the rest of the film.

The struggle between Sam and Gollum is brilliant as Astin shows range he hasn't used since the under-appreciated "Rudy". Sean Astin's Sam is a
crowning achievement in this film. He so deserves an Oscar nomination for his powerful performance. He brings that character to another level beyond
that of any hobbit in the film.

The Andy Serkis-Gollum CGI creation keeps getting more and more precious. (Please, forgive the pun!) I also loved the CGI creation of the giant spider. It was seamless and the whole sequence was amazing.

I also really enjoyed the separation of Merry and Pippin. It really allowed for each actor to show a different side of the hobbits. Each of their
individual storylines was fun and it made for a more interesting journey this time around. I always felt they were under used and were insignificant
compared to Sam and Frodo.

My biggest concern with the film was the ending. The film reaches about 7 different conclusions before the end credits. Each ending felt longer than
the next because there was no flow or cohesion as we see a lot more than was needed. We love these characters but did we really need that extra 30
minutes?

I love the world of Middle Earth and all that dwell there. Peter Jackson has done what no other filmmaker ever dreamed of accomplishing with this
project. Thanks, Pete for a wonderful journey.

(4.5 out of 5)

So Says the Soothsayer

Dean Kish

Peter Jackson concludes his ambitious three-film Lord of the Rings epic with one of the most astonishingly powerful action-adventure movies ever made. Not only does Jackson meet impossibly high expectations, but he uses inventiveness and passion to add texture and emotional energy to an already rich story.

The Fellowship is now in two camps: While Frodo and Sam (Wood and Astin) travel into Mordor with the slimy Gollum (Serkis), a massive battle is brewing in the kingless land of Gondor. This'll require all the strength and creativity of the wizard Gandalf (McKellen), reluctant monarch Aragorn (Mortensen), elf warrior Legolas (Bloom), feisty dwarf Gimli (Rhys-Davies) and surprisingly brave Hobbits Pippin and Merry (Boyd and Monaghan). And they'll have to work with a troubled king (Hill) and his tenacious niece and nephew (Otto and Urban), as well as a bereaved leader (Noble) and his frustrated son (Wenham). Can Frodo and Sam destroy the powerful ring before the evil Lord Sauron kills every living thing in Middle-Earth?

This film keeps us gasping from start to end! It's so impeccably and artfully done that we can hardly breathe, immobilised by emotion, suspense, the sheer spectacle, the intimate drama. Each character is pushed to the brink (some of them beyond it) by a script that never takes the obvious road; sticking closely to Tolkien's story helps, but there's an artistry in the writing that makes this more cinematic than literary. Each performer soars with it, showing us the blood, sweat and mental anguish at every stage, including moments of humour and joy that continually surprise them (and us). Wood and Astin will forever be a double-act after the gruelling voyage Frodo and Sam take to the fires of Mt Doom. Mortensen creates a gorgeous arc over the three films from hesitant to warrior to ruler--we not only believe this transformation, we feel it! Boyd and Monaghan prove that they're capable of much, much more than being a comic double act. Serkis gets to appear on screen as Smeagol in a prologue, then goes even further as Gollum later. And McKellen continues to add spark and soul with his perfect blending of wit and gravitas.

Jackson juggles all of this with remarkable skill--technically this is a triumph from the expert music and production design to the nearly seamless effects. And scenes of quiet intimacy are staged with the same care as the mammoth battle sequences, which keep shifting gears and escalating until we are nearly overwhelmed ... and yet they're always coherent and meaningful. The themes are so resonant that they hit us deeply, as do the interpersonal dramas among the characters. The idea that even the tiniest people can change the world, as long as they work together, is pure inspiration. Quite simply, we never want the film to end! And for a while we think it might not, as Jackson wedges in several codas, epilogues, false conclusions and postscripts, most of which are a little too sweet after the raging power of the story's devastating climax. But they also let us say farewell to characters in just three years that have secured a place both in movie history and in our hearts.

Rich Cline

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