Hail to the King

Rating: Null/10 (21 January 2004)

Rating: ***** (out of *****)
Is it true? Are we really supposed to believe the reviews that tell us the final film in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings saga is the best of them all? The answer is yes. Those reviews are right in every possible way. I don't know how Peter Jackson has done it, but he has.
Men and women of all ages have been captivated by Jackson's vision of Tolkien's tale of good and evil, and with good reason. His modernisation of the story will appeal to everyone and stand the test of time. View the films as a whole and you are looking at one fine epic. They have just got better as the story has progressed, and I don't say that just because they've gradually grown on me. Throughout the trilogy, the actors and characters have become more rounded (in general), the battles have become more impressive, and the story more ambitious.
Of course, there's been the usual nitpicking, especially with this film. Where is Christopher Lee's Saruman, for example? (Luckily he wasn't a true necessity) There's no scouring of the Shire, either. (Well, Jackson believes that it would have been out of place.) What about the occasional small problem? Well, the films have been showing some signs of inconsistency as the story has progressed, but...
The Lord of the Rings succeeds, because  quite simply  it has it all. It contains action, suspense, strong storytelling, romance, humour and good characterisations. And on top of that, the films are technically impressive. You have to give immense praise to a film that's a joy to look at as well as follow.
We resume affairs with an inventive flashback which shows how Gollum/Smeagol (Andy Serkis) was corrupted by the discovery of Sauron's Ring (We'll soon see that it's not only him who will be corrupted). Soon it's back to watching his attempts to lead Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) to Mordor, where they can destroy the Ring once and for all. But Gollum is rapidly becoming less of a guide and more of a hindrance. His "precious" ring has darkened him a little too much, and even Frodo is feeling this dark influence. This calls for Sam to show a new side to his character.
At the same time, Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) must claim his rightful place at the throne of Gondor. But Denethor (John Noble), father of Boromir & Faramir and steward to the throne, is having none of it. Not even Gandalf (Ian McKellen) can make him see sense. That is only one problem, though. King Theoden (Bernard Hill) and the army of Rohan must reunite with Aragorn, Gandalf, Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) and Legolas (Orlando Bloom), among others, to defend the city of Minas Tirith. Hobbits Pippin (Billy Boyd) and Merry (Dominic Monaghan) are ready to lend their own contributions as well. As is Eowyn (Miranda Otto).
This is only part of the story. Many more surprises are in store for viewers, including another great battle. But what's really amazing is that the film succeeds even when you least expect it to. I thought that Annie Lennox wasn't right for the closing song. I was wrong. I thought that the film would be severely hampered by Saruman's absence. Again, I was wrong (although purists may disagree). I stated in my review of The Two Towers that I "would have liked to have seen more of Eowyn, especially in the battle". My wish was granted, in a pleasantly surprising way.
One of the things I like most about The Return of the King is that everyone gets their moment in the spotlight. Even the elves, including Arwen (Liv Tyler) and Elrond (Hugo Weaving) have significant roles to play in the story, and Jackson makes sure we're aware of that. I can't recall one moment in the film that didn't work at all. Yes, the film slows down a little on two occasions, but even then it's not very long before it locks you in again. And though I've heard complaints about the long, slightly sentimental epilogue, I saw no problem with it. It wraps up the saga quite nicely.
There really is too much to say. I could go on and discuss how the music and cinematography are better than ever, for example. But we have to mention the actors. With The Return of the King, Elijah Wood has not just taken the ring as a burden, he has taken the film on as well. There is now no doubt that this man can carry a film when required. As can Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen (arguably the definitive Gandalf), and Andy Serkis (without whom Gollum would not be so believable). Talk of awards for Serkis should increase this year.
More is demanded of Sean Astin (as Sam's importance to the story increases), and he delivers. And the not so well-known names, like Miranda Otto, Billy Boyd & Dominic Monaghan, get a chance to display talents that we previously weren't aware of.
The trilogy can be summed up in three words  Dark, Darker, Darkest. That is the direction it has followed during its three year-life, although it wasn't that dark in the beginning, was it? How times have changed. (OK, one part of The Return of the King is reminiscent of Return of the Jedi, but that's the only similarity. I mean, I didn't see any cute Ewok-like characters.) And in that period, countless new Lord of the Rings fans have been made. Regardless of whether The Return of the King propels the trilogy to a deserving Oscar, it and its prequels will unquestionably stick in the mind of many of their viewers for years to come.