Not as good as people say, still a fine film.

Rating: 7/10 (17 December 2003)

Certainly not the best of the three. That place still belongs to "Fellowship". And as much as I hate to agree with nay-sayers, I believe there were a few too many endings for a theatrical version.
However, the good FAR outweigh the bad - redeem them even.
The effects are absolutely top-notch and perhaps the best of all the films. The battle sequences were astounding! Best I've ever seen.
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My biggest gripe is with the opening sequence with Smeagel and Deagel. Andy Serkis just played him like a mindless grinning goon. Instead of making Smeagel a little bit more "hobbit-like" with a normal speaking voice (not exactly the same as Gollums) and a more melancholy and serious side (not all child-smiles).
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While I certainly agree that the film deserves some Oscars (but not director or film), I strongly disagree that Sean Astin, Andy Serkis or Viggo Mortensen deserve them for their acting. If anybody has earned a nomination for acting, it would be Ian McKellen and perhaps Elijah Wood.
It felt almost like Mr. Jackson ran out of time editing and left stuff in that would have better found place in the Extended version.
Still, this is an absolutely AMAZING movie. Perhaps I was just expecting too much.
After first viewing, I give it 7 out of 10.