Nothing to look forward to anymore

Rating: 10/10 (18 December 2003)

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The Return of the King is a truly amazing movie. It has everything: action, drama, love, even some humorous parts, good acting (yes, it does have good acting), awesome sounds and music, plus incredible visual effects. I have to say, I walked into the theater expecting a great work of art, and by Buckelberry Ferry (:D), I got a masterpiece. Peter Jackson knew exactly what to put on the screen and what to leave out.
The action of the movie follows, with some exceptions, the main plot of the book. It is Tolkien's "fault" that it began slower, only to carry me at the climax, leaving me breathless, and then to bring me to the inevitable end, sinking my eyes in tears. At the very end, I almost stood up and begged: "Sam, do not close that door!". But, everything has an end.

The movie can be considered one of the best dramas. It highlights the struggle in every character, with Gollum stealing the award. His sick speeches are even better in ROTK, and Jackson recreated perfectly the Mount Doom scene. It is unbelievable that a CGI character can express so many feelings. The look on his face when he was falling in the lava with his precious stunned me completely. I would give an Oscar for Gollum, but I know it is impossible. And hats off especially for Andy Serkis, both the scene with Deagol and the voice of Gollum are truly his merit, he made them perfect. I could go on forever with the dramatic part of the movie: of course we have Frodo's experience, he will never be the same again, Sam's journey (countless thumbs up for Sean Astin), Aragorn, Denethor's death (what a scene, wow), Eowyn and Merry, the death of Theoden, Faramir's suffering (Denethor's cruelty is simply sick), Elrond's fears as a father and on and on...
The love stories are also a strong part of the movie. Arwen's choice to let go of the grace of her kin for a mortal man is an important theme in the book. Aragorn and Arwen's marriage give the reader the hint that Gondor and the dominion of Men will not fade, even with the elves gone. Faramir and Eowyn's love is only suggested in the movie. And Sam's family simply melted my heart. Perfect ending, the exact line as in the book.
I laughed watching the Lord of the Rings, but it was my laugh, not a mechanical laugh awaken by the stupid gags of a new comedy. I was carried in the Middle-Earth, I lived the story along with the characters, for 3 blessed hours,I escaped my reality.
Perhaps people will disagree, but ROTK delivered good acting. I have to mention Andy Serkis again for his performance as Gollum. But I also applaud the performances of Sean Astin, Viggo Mortensen, Sir Ian McKellen, Miranda Otto and Billy Boyd. Of course, the others must not be forgotten, but these five actors are worthy of any award. Miranda Otto has a bright future as an actress.
I was not disappointed with the music, even though I thought they put the best in the first two parts. I was wrong. ROTK has awesome music, not to mention the sound, a perfect editing.
I don't think anyone could argue: if you want to be blown away by perfect visual effects, The Return of the King gives you this and more. Just to select some extraordinary scenes: lighting the beacons, Denethor's passing, Legolas killing the oliphant (Gimli: "this one counts as one :)))), the army of the dead, the whole siege of Minas Tirith, Gollum's speeches, sleeping on the stairs of Cirith Ungol, the fight at the Black Gate, the arriving of Rohan, the destruction of the Witch King and last but definitely not least, the whole Mordor scene, the way that Sam carries Frodo, and finally the whole scene in The Cracks of Doom, Frodo's face, the fight between him and Gollum, the fall of the Ring. Amazing. Not enough words available.
I think it takes a brilliant writer, Tolkien, and a brilliant director, Jackson, to bring us such a masterpiece. Many will say, "So what, what's the big deal?". But those who long for an escape, will make the most out of this trilogy. It is by far the best Trilogy ever made. It totally contradicts the typical pattern, with the first movie being great and the sequels nothing but a mere attempt(no titles nominated). The only thing I feel sorry for: I will not have anything to look forward to next Christmas. The last two years were enriched by this adventure, but now the journey is over . In a magnificent way, but over. Well, "I'm back".