Biased by the book

Rating: 10/10 (20 December 2003)

It is difficult to not be biased when reviewing films like Lord of the Rings, especially since the source material has been so popular for so long. Having just finished reading the last page of the volumous book a few days prior, I was anxious and prepared to see Peter Jackson's last take on the third book, Return of the King. Even considering my high expectations, I was still blown away. It seems he has saved the best for last. Not only did I feast my eyes on the sweetest visual candy, I was taken on an intensely emotional rollercoaster. While the second film may have seemed slower-paced than the first, this third film is faster, and ultimately more exciting than the first or second, even given its 3+ hours run time. But it could also be a bit draining. Not that that's a bad thing. Just be prepared.
The film opens with a flashback that gives Andy Serkis (Gollum/Smeagol) a chance to develop his character as well as appear without computer enhancement. But once the computer graphics are kicked in, they give life like some supreme being. (Upon first seeing Gollum again, I actually believed he was real for a moment. An improvement over last year's award-winning model, and money well spent.) Throughout the movie, many others are given chances to deliver classic lines and develop their characters further, and they do it superbly. We even get to hear Pippin (Billy Boyd) sing, surprisingly with a beautiful voice, as well as Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen).
The sheer scale of the computer-generated armies are jaw-dropping. Battle scenes are plentiful and satisfying, including a sequence with Legolas and an Oliphaunt that is particularly rousing. However, Aragorn's ghost army seemed a bit unnatural (excuse the pun), but maybe that was the intent. Since this isn't Jackson's first experience with ghosts, one might expect better. One of his earlier films, "The Frighteners", expertly blended true horror with true humor, a feat most people fail to recognize, let alone duplicate.
To point out another possibly minor flaw, Denethor's odd behavior goes a bit unjustified in the film. Yes, he just found out about his favorite son Boromir's death, but it's still puzzling that some seemingly minor scenes and dialogues were included, yet the "real" (book) reason why he was so wacked in the head was not even eluded to. Granted, having to cram and wrap up multiple major plot lines built up during two previous movies is valiant, if not impossible, so Jackson's artistic liberties with the book are excusable when necessary. (For example, there is no appearance of Saruman, and the Shire remains unscoured.) Perhaps the Special Extended Edition DVD will expound upon this, and other unanswered questions.
In the end, men cheered and women cried. Overall, a highly enjoyable ride. If this doesn't sweep the awards, it'll at least sweep you off your feet. 9.5 out of 10.