The Aphrodite of Cinema

Rating: 10/10 (18 December 2003)

Before I go into the same ramble of how great Return of the King was, let me say one thing: At a length of 3:20, it's still too short, only because I didn't want it to end. I must say I had my worries with how this was going to turn out (The Trilogy Curse being one of those worries) so I went into the theatre expecting something that would rise above every movie I have seen to date. This movie filled my expectations, from Shelob to the amount of times my tear-ducts were overflowing. As sad as I was that Saruman was cut out, the movie did well without him. There were many great moments, including a suicide mission without sound save for Pippin's (Billy Boyd) singing in the background. The only two moments that caught me off (in both ways good and bad) was the Army of the Dead literally swamping Pellenor Fields, and Mordor: it wasn't exactly as dark as I expected it to be, but that's just a minor gripe. What surprised me the most was that it stayed remarkably close to the book, like a child to a parent, respectively. Sure there were a few changes (Denethor's death is much more elaborate) and a few cuts (Houses of Healing anyone?) but the payoff is one that will leave you in tears and will stick with you for the rest of your life. Thankfully this isn't a Hollywood movie. Had it (the entire trilogy)been a Hollywood movie, it probably would have been 70% action, 30% character developement, and would have probably been made seperately instead of all at once. This is a god among movies, and Peter Jackson is a god among directors. I end this review on a bittersweet note: It is the end. Save for the Extended Edition (the TRUE version of the film) there is a sadness that wells up simply knowing that next year I won't be counting the long days passing to see another epic installment of the greatest trilogy ever. However, like the book, it ends without leaving loose ends, a rare achievement in these days of filmmaking. Long live the King.