Best Picture of the Year

Rating: 10/10 (22 December 2003)

The Academy will be doing themselves a great disservice if they do not give this film the Best Picture Oscar (especially after they snubbed the first two). "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" ranks up there with the greatest epics of cinema, and rightfully so. Movies like this are far too few.
What can I say. The visuals are stunning, the acting is moving, the music is top-notch. This movie has it all...and then some! The plot is handled beautifully. Peter Jackson has finally mastered the art of balancing multiple story-lines.
Members of the audience are left on the edge of their seats as Frodo and Sam, wounded and starving, literally crawl towards Mount Doom. Meanwhile, the greatest battles ever seen on the movie screen are fought in Gondor and at the Black Gates of Mordor. Timeless themes of bravery, courage, loyalty, friendship, and hope against all odds are explored and exhibited flawlessly.
Some have complained about the ending of the film. I won't spoil it, but I will say this. The ending is taken directly from the books, and is executed beautifully. In my opinion, it is a fitting end to this massive epic since it completes the character-arcs of our heroes, and brings many full-circle...a necessary closure for the audience.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy will never be forgotten in cinematic history. Peter Jackson has done what some had declared to be impossible. He has brought Middle Earth to life, so fully and completely, that all we can do is stare in awe and wonder...and give this film the accolades it rightfully deserves.
10/10