A Cinematic Triumph and One of the Greatest Ever Made

Rating: 10/10 (14 December 2004)

If anyone thought that Peter Jackson had "bought it" with "Fellowship of the Ring" and "The Two Towers" then I would like to hear what they will say about "Return of the King". The film is nothing short of a triumph. From its intense, frightening and personal beginning, through the awe-inspiring Battle of Pelennor Fields right to its melancholic ending the film is a feat of cinematic skill and technique.
Once again Jackson maintains a long film without losing the audience. His editing of battle sequences remains superb and all of the various elements that contribute to the film make it the a truly great film.
The visual effects, which are out in broad daylight with no where to run in the Battle of Pelennor Fields, are spectacular and remain unequaled, even by films such as the Matrix (the original, not the shoddy sequels).
Andrew Lesnie's cinematography remains flawless. He incorporates huge epic shots that daze the eyes and intense personal ones with great skill.
The acting remains very strong. Sir Ian McKellen is once again superb particularly in a wonderful scene with Pippin during the Siege of Minas Tirith. Bernard Hill's performance is brilliant, building on his performance as Theoden in The Two Towers with an extremely well constructed performance. Elijah Wood's performance is fantastic and he is supported well by Sean Astin and Andy Serkis, whose Gollum is once again fantastically animated and remains a real technical achievement. The rest of the cast's performances are superb, right across the board, but in particular Viggo Mortensen who deals with a difficult character well.
10/10 for a wonderful cinematic achievement.