Lord of All Fantasy Movies

Rating: 10/10 (22 August 2004)

The final 3 hours of this impeccable saga do not let up from the action, the story, nor the message. Here, Peter Jackson lovingly captures all of J. R. R. Tolkein's themes and brilliantly weaves them together for an apocalyptic finish to top of the two most brilliant fantasy features in cinematic history. "Return of the King" is alive not only with the jaw-dropping effects of WETA workshops, but the superb acting skills of Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Sean Aston, Elijah Wood, and Andy "Gollum" Serkis.
The begining of the film gives Serkis a well-deserved cameo after being behind the animation of Gollum. In a flashback, Serkis is brilliant as the dumb, and greedy river dweller who murders his own brother for the power of the ring; greatly foreshadowing the events to occur in the Crack of Doom.
Sean Aston takes the movie as Sam, who goes through all of fire and shadow, pain and passion to help his friend destroy the evil that has latched on to him. Samwise is like a Judas without flaw; we see him agonize over his actions, even as he is not guilty of any cruelty toward Frodo, but a victim of Gollum's madness.
John Noble's Denethor, vile Steward of Minas Tirith, and father to Boromir and Faramir, makes one's skin crawl with both disgust and anger. Arrogant and full of judgement and accusations, he seems the most evil without even carrying a ring!
Also, watch Miranda Otto's portrayal of Lady Eowyn as she and Merry slay the Nazguul witch-king. Her strength of character and sense of duty to her fallen king are breathtakingly played.
All Tolkein's storyline are brilliantly tied up. We see our heroes and heroines return or re-begin their lives.
Astonishingly beautiful filmmaking!