Great movie? Yes. Great ART? ABSOLUTELY!

Rating: 10/10 (17 December 2003)

As one of the lucky hundreds who secured tickets to the 12:01 am screening last night, I have to say that this experience was well worth the sleep-deprived stupor I'm in today. This film was everything I hoped it would be, and more.
I'm in awe for the accomplishment of the entire LOTR cast and crew -- the love and passion and creative energy and TALENT of each and every one of the 26,000+ humans who collectively birthed this epic is evident in every frame.

This is an act of creation to potentially redefine cinema itself, and I can't wait to see how this film raises the bar for ALL films to follow. Few will attain Jackson's triumph, but even the pursuit is worthy.

The performances are what carry this epic (again, a redefinition of that term is inevitable), and Jackson's team is to be congratulated for such flawless casting.
Young Elijah Wood is a miracle: his skill and vision and fearless dedication to character are worthy of Oscar attention. Frodo's journey broke my heart in so many places, across all three films, and his portrayal of this humble everyman -- forced into heroism by circumstance, rather than choice -- rang true on every note for me.
While I admit that Sean Astin's Sam annoyed me in the first two films, I'm delighted to report that Sam blossomed into a heroic figure of his own in this chapter -- and we should all be so blessed with such a brave and unwavering friend.
Viggo Mortenson is a modern day Renaissance Man in so many aspects, and his Aragorn commanded each scene. I BELIEVED that we were watching a KING, and his transformation from reluctant heir to ruler was artfully crafted.

Ian McKellen is a legend, and it is a testament to his skill that I only saw Gandolf on that screen -- not an actor buried under wig and spirit gum. A lesser actor could have been lost in the mythology of Gandolf: McKellen shaped the mythology to his own vision and by doing so, gave us the consummate Gandolf.
Gollum/Smeagol blew me away: a treacherous creature yet utterly sympathetic in his struggle. Our final glimpse of Gollum took my breath away. Even as his fate became evident (to us), his tragic face was beaming with joy. Heartbreaking.
Yet, quietly behind all these bold, lead characters, it was Faramir who truly captured my attention and heart: what a tragic character, doomed to forever compete with the dead. His return to Minas Tirith was horrifying, and his subsequent treatment at his father's hands shocked and saddened me. Congratulations to David Wenham for elevating a somewhat minor character to such glorious suffering and humanity.
The effects are truly beyond description, and Jackson and WETA deserve every accolade that is offered. The breath-taking technical craft of the filmmakers supports, rather than supplants, the story and performances (and visa versa) - and that a sadly rare accomplishment these days.

I'm still in awe at the sheer CRAFT of Gollum -- for the first time, here is an digital illusion so real you FEEL this character rather than just see the carefully-manipulated pixels. The creation of Gollum is a consummate, wildly successful marriage of writing, acting and digital magic. (And Andy Serkis was ROBBED by the Academy.)
Is this (or any other) film perfect? No. But it soars to close to perfection as one can hope for...today. It is arguably the `best" film I've ever seen: technically, creatively, emotionally, aesthetically, and visually.

In my opinion and experience, this final chapter is the most compelling of a magnificent trilogy. It is also, without question, THE most magnificent film trilogy to date. It caps the numerous character arcs honorably and effectively. These films are far more than the sum of the impressive parts, without question.
I wish Peter Jackson a long life. If this is what he can create with today's technology, imagine what he might offer up in another decade or two? Let us all also send good thoughts for successful negotiations with the (bizarrely hostile) Tolkien estate so that we can line up to buy tickets for Jackson's The Hobbit someday!
See this film! Then allow yourself to surrender to the EXPERIENCE of it. If you are fortunate enough to experience this film with a passionate Tolkien scholar (as we did), do so: it enriches an already breath-taking viewing experience.
Read the books, by all means. Jackson did an excellent job of distilling and interpreting and yes, honoring, the essence of Tolkien's written words for the screen. The screenplays are works of creative writing that stand proudly, shoulder-to-shoulder, with the novels. I love and admire Jackson's Middle Earth as much (perhaps more) as Tolkien's. In my opinion, the two visions of Middle Earth complement one another magnificently.

Surrender to the EXPERIENCE that Peter Jackson has offered, and you will be rewarded by entertainment than just might enrich your life. More importantly, GREAT art such as this should INSPIRE each of us to reach just a little higher every day.