The last of the great trilogy

Rating: 10/10 (2 May 2004)

So this film came out in December, and I went to see it with excitement and in a way sadness. Excitement because I wanted to see how the film ended (although I had already read the book) and of course just to sit back and be blown away. Sad because it was the last of the trilogy and after this film that means no more surprises. That is unless Peter Jackson does decide to make The HObbit. Anyways, back to ROTK.
Once again everyone is here for the exception of Christpher Lee as the menacing Saruman The White. Gollum is far better in ths film as is evil and scheming side comes out. The special effects are far more superior in this film but of course effects are nothing without good acting...which this trilogy is blessed with. The star of this film is Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn who must lead the army of men against the Orcs of Mordor. At the same time he must decide whether to take to the thrown of Gondor. Sean Astin also delivers in this film as Samwise Gamgee turns into a Holywood hero at the end, killing three orcs at a time and carryin "mr. Frodo" up the steeping slopes of mount doom. The spider shelob is just as gruesome as she is scary but I find it quite funny how such a huge spider can be taken out within minutes by an overweight hobbit. If i have to fault this film then it is down to it being over long. Although its hard to see exactly how Peter Jackson could make it shorter...for the last 20 minutes or so my bum was painfully numb. Another fault is that the special effects did seem to overwhelm the film a bit. Oh yeh, and what the hell was Peter Jackson thinking when he decided to make Legolad take out a bloody great big elephant like that. Not only was that stupid but it ruined the excitement and fury of the battle of the Pelennor fields. No Peter, just no! But those things put aside this film is outstanding.
The Lord Of The Rings trilogy is not to be sniggered at as some people do. It is as much about friendship, loyalty, greed and hope as it is about kicking orc-ass. If you want to waste approximately three and a half hours...sit down and watch this when it comes out on DVD. Or wait a couple more months for the extended DVD....where it is said to be five hours long. These films have landed them a spot in the list of the greatest films of all history. And we owe it all to J.R.R Tolkein and Peter Jackson...as well as the cast and crew.