Spending 4 hours in a crowded freezing theatre to see this movie: Priceless

Rating: 10/10 (4 January 2004)

Hail Peter Jackson for making the third movie in a trilogy as good or in my humble opinion better than the first! Tell me how often does THAT happen?

Normally, big-budget-ultra-hyped Hollywood "blockbuster sequels" leave you disappointed at best. IE: The Matrix Reloaded, but The Return of the King won't have you leaving the theatre cursing every person involved with the film, theatre management, concession workers and every person that looks at you during the 6 hours following the movie.
I'm definitely no movie buff, but I know what I like. And this is it. I'll admit, that I wasn't overly enthusiastic over the whole LOTR hoopla. I vowed to never see the movies. Any movie to me, that's as hyped as these three have been over the past three or so years, usually sends me running in the opposite direction. I was roped into watching the first two during a Starz! LOTR premier weekend (cursed boyfriends!) And boy, I was blown away. I've never been into epics, but they were amazing. The next day, when my bf asked if I was now willing to go see the last installment with him, of course I had to jump at the chance.
Now, I've only just began to read the books, and I haven't gotten to The Return of the King yet, so I couldn't tell you how true to the story it is, but if it is anything like the first two, I'm sure it's pretty much right on. Of course there are always differences, but that's what happens when you adapt a book to the big screen.
The Return of the King is brilliantly told, visually stunning, surprisingly well acted, and more than worth ten bucks or so to see. Some naysayers might be a little put off by the length of the movie. I'll say the first time I saw it, the last thirty minutes I was itching for fresh air, but I think, if it were any shorter, you'd miss out on the sheer brilliance of it. There isn't a minute that you ask what does this have to do with anything. It's finely woven and besides, a pain in the backside is nothing if can experience truly one of the best movies of all time.
This is a movie for the ages. It's a Wonderful Life is an all time Christmas Classic; The Return of the King (or any one of the trilogy) can pick any holiday it wants.
If you sat through three hours of the Titanic or The Godfather, camped outside a theatre to see Star Wars or still crack up when you hear "E.T. phone home", then give in to this bait, and forget the rest. You won't be disappointed. And if you are? I'll eat my shoes.