Everything the critics said and more!

Rating: 10/10 (17 December 2003)

Amidst the eagerness and anticipation I had going in there was a little niggling voice that said, "But is it going to be everything you hoped? The critics loved it but can the reviews be trusted?"
The answer is: yes. This movie is anything but slow. It is fast-paced but never loses you (even at 2 in the morning, and I mean that literally.) Some scenes felt a bit disjointed but that will probably be remedied in the obligatory Special Edition Extended DVD. The scenery was fantastic, especially Minas Tirith and Mount Doom, and the CGI critters like the oliphants were less "fake" than they were in FOTR and TTT. Even Arwen's intrusions were not out of place and helped move the plot along in some cases. Be warned: the ending is a tear-jerker, just like the book.
PJ may have penchant for gore and a dislike for magic but he has the eye of an artist and the mind of a poet. But keep an eye out for his little jokes (like that old guy in the Shire.)