Stunning Conclusion

Rating: 10/10 (18 December 2003)

The Return of the King is a visually and emotionally stunning conclusion to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Not only are the special effects amazing, but the story develops to a heart-pounding, emotional climax.
The characters all come full circle in this movie. The most notable character in the Return of the King, surprisingly, is Sam. Sean Astin does an amazing job of showing loyalty, fear, surprise, and hope all with just his eyes. Although I'm sure his acting will go unnoticed by the Academy, he definitely deserves some recognition for his skills here. Elijah Wood once again performs magnificently as Frodo continues to spiral downward toward despair. If you watch the Fellowship of the Ring before this, you can really see the emotional impact of his journey and the toll it has taken. All of the characters are given special attention here, and they all receive satisfying storylines. (With the exception of Sarumon, who is curiously missing in this installment).
I am sure a lot of people will point out differences from the text. Yes, there were a few, but I was pleased with the changes. Shelob the spider finally makes her appearance--and the suspense and special effects that accompany her are jaw dropping. The conclusion is a little different as well--AND yes, it does seem a little long. The movie continues after the climax at Mount Doom for another thirty minutes or so, but in my opinion it's all necessary. I for one would have been upset if the movie ended abruptly after Mount Doom and we didn't get a chance to see where life was taking these characters that we have grown to love now that their respective journeys have ended.
Overall, this movie was fantastic. The acting, the story, the special effects, and the devotion to the imagery and genious of Tolkien were amazing. I hope the Academy finally gives Peter Jackson--and this movie--the awards they deserve!