great visuals BUT...

Rating: 8/10 (19 December 2003)

Let me start of by saying that i've been reading the books every year for the past 6 years. That being said, i'm a huge fan of the books. If you're going to see this finale in hopes of great artistic value and stunning visuals...you won't be disapointed. Actually, you will adore this film if that's what you seek. But if you're looking for accurate storytelling, you might be let down like i was. And i understand that the transition from book to script is a daunting task - especially with these books, so i knew that some editing was unavoidable.
So here's my list of critisism: 1) The beginning. What were they thinking? Instead of wasting those first ten minutes with that scene, they could have correctly made the scene where Gandalf breaks Saruman's staff and casts him out of the order. Instead they COMPLETELY disregards Saruman in this movie and Gandalf simply states "he has no power"...not exactly what i was hoping.
2) Shelob's scene. Instead of staying true to the books, Peter Jackson decides to reinvent the relationship between Frodo and Sam, and creates a scene where Frodo decides (with the counsel of Gollum) that he doesn't need Sam anymore...so he leaves just long enough to save Frodo from Shelob at the last minute.
Those are my major grievances. There's more, however i'm sure that it will be explained when the extended version comes out.
Like i mentioned earlier, the visuals are AMAZING. Minas Tirith was better than i would have imagined, the Paths of the Dead scene was probably one of my favorites, The beacon fires were suprisingly touching.
And there's more...so go see this film...it's well worth it in the end.