The Fellowship Complete

Rating: 10/10 (26 January 2004)

At the very end of Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King", when the extraordinary Annie Lennox sings the beautiful song, "Into the West", it occurred to me that this is not just an end to the epic trilogy, rather it marks it's completion. The distinction being that this ambitious undertaking of J.R.R. Tolkien's story of Middle Earth is now whole and complete. We have witnessed the transformation of the story's characters, be it Frodo (Elijah Wood), Sam (Sean Astin), Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), or Gandalf (Ian McKellen). They are not the same characters that we saw in "The Fellowship of the Ring". Jackson has powerfully told a tale of the cost of doing what is right in one's heart, of courage, of loyalty, and of love. And I say this not having read the Tolkien books. Though I appreciate and respect that Tolkien is the Shakespeare of a specific generation. In Minas Tirith preparing for the final battle, an aging and worn Wizard Gandalf tells his charge Pippin, who fears death in the coming war, "End? No, the journey doesn't end here. There is another path; one that we all must take..." Ultimately, "Return of the King" is about having faith, and that things work out just the way they do.
Director Peter Jackson along with screen writers Frances Walsh, Phillippa Boyens, and Jackson himself are the master storytellers of the tech era. Unlike some other trilogies (or ones yet to be completed), Jackson and crew weave a tapestry of spectacular visual effects and cutting edge CGI, with a transparent narrative style, and stunning acting throughout. Jackson's art is one of balance in the realm of apparent chaos.
"Return of the King" starts where "Two Towers" ended. We have an insight into Gollum (Andy Serkis) who is guiding Frodo and Sam to Mount Doom to destroy The Ring; thus, ending Sauron's reign over Middle Earth. Aragorn and Legolas (Orlando Bloom) must find the mysterious army in the Cursed Mountians to battle Sauron's legions. They are all willing to sacrifice their lives to distract the Eye of Sauron, so that Frodo can destroy the Ring. We also discover that Arwen (Liv Tyler) has forsaken her Elf immortality to be with her love, Aragorn.
Credit Jackson and his actors for providing a believable evolution of the story's characters. In "Return of the King" Viggo Mortensen's Aragorn truly becomes regal, and the charismatic leader of men. Mortensen has powerful screen presence, and has a calmness about him that is noble and just. Elijah Wood's Frodo constantly fights the seductive power of The Ring. Wood has a great innocence and drive that works in the role. Sean Astin as Sam really emerges as the movie's hero. Astin's performance is strong and provides the movie's heart. He brings an authenticity to Sam's selflessness and humanity. Astin's performance deserves an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The one actor under used in this all is Liv Tyler-- she had little to do here and in the last movie. This is shame being that she is a talented actress.
Peter Jackson is truly to be acknowledged for completing an epic tale with "Return of the King", and for the entire "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. This is a historic feat, and his work will be enjoyed for generation to come. I will miss seeing the annual "Lord of the Rings" movie at Christmases. I will also look forward to Jackson's next screen project.