Greatest film EVER?

Rating: 10/10 (19 December 2003)

Um, perhaps not (Citizen Kane and Seven Samurai still hold those positions for me), but it IS the best film I've seen made in my lifetime, and dare I say it, the Lord of the Rings trilogy now supplants the Star Wars trilogy once and for all. I am flabbergasted at this monumental achievement. Yes, I'm a little sad to see Christopher Lee cut from the theatrical version, but what is, is. Otherwise, I can't think of one bad scene in this film, and according to Howard Hawks, a good film comprises of three good scenes and no bad ones. There are far more than three good scenes in here. Even the small moments are exceedingly well done, the dawning realization on the Orcs faces as the Rohirrim charge; the fog enshrouded battle of Osgiliath as the humans are picked off one by one made me shudder more than Shelob's scenes (and she made me shudder quite a bit); Billy Boyd is one damn fine singer. There is so much to see here, and so much to feel. I recommend it to the ends of the world, ten out of ten.