Cheers

Rating: 10/10 (23 December 2003)

**MINOR SPOILERS** I find it especially unfortunate that a movie of this quality and integrity comes with as many detractors as I have seen. Not that they are not allowed their opinions of course, but that they cannot enjoy perhaps the greatest fantasy epic ever created, seamlessly melding Tolkien's work with the mind of a dedicated, loving director. To me, Mr. Jackson's greatest accomplishment is realizing and embracing what is at stake for each character in this movie, and not shying away from this. He embraces as much of the fantastical as he can, so that when Sam announces he'll carry Frodo, we're right there with him. For those who say this is sentimental, I say it's right there in the text, and Jackson does not shy away from intense emotional moments. Perhaps this is lacking the verisimilitude/absurdity of the human condition in something like "Lost in Translation," but who cares? We as an audience are removed from our petty situations into a world in which the stakes are much larger, and as a fantasy series Lord of the Rings tops all others in taking us to this place. Just look at the abominations of recent attempts(can someone make Star Wars just go away now?) to do this to realize just how difficult an accomplishment it is. What also amazes me is Jackson's understanding of true male friendship as Tolkien saw it, so that when Frodo and Sam embrace or sob together, it hits you right in the chest. Their love (yes, LOVE) is something completely foreign to this cynical age, established through their struggles and triumphs together. Any other director would skirt this, but Jackson embraces it, and it makes the ending all the more powerful. People talk about the "perfect" movie, or try to fix ratings to things as often as they can, or establish rankings, but I say this film will take its place with the greats, like Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind, Casablanca, and so on. It will define film for a generation, and will become a part of our collective subconscious, and I cannot think of a more fitting tribute for its author.