`Farewell. So ends our fellowship. I will not say, "Do not weep;" for not all tears are an evil.'  Gandalf (RoTK)

Rating: 10/10 (26 January 2004)

I have tried many a time to verbalize my feelings for this story to many, and have failed miserably. My family, friends, all seem to find it rather odd that I have become so interested in something that is after all, but a book firstly (albeit a brilliant one), and then a movie. It took me a while to see these movies. Whilst I was initially interested in seeing them, I became swayed by many things, and ultimately skipped TTT because I had not seen the FoTR. Ever since seeing the Return of the King, I have become engrossed. I spend hours researching' what others thought of this movie, reading comments, critic's reviews, and my favorite parts, reliving the movies, over and over again. I have seen the FoTR and TTT so many times, I fail to be able to accurately relay the number, yet every time I seem to marvel at something different, or rejoice in the same.

Therefore in reading the numerous reviews, to those reading this one, there are many words to say. I have been inundated with the same points, immersed in the same arguments. People tend to get so heated in their love of, but particularly their dislike/hate for this trilogy. For those who love it, there is praise, perhaps unbiased, heaped onto this movie for various reasons. Beloved characters, wonderful scenes, breathtaking direction. For those who hate it, I make the analogy of the worldwide pop idol competition. For anyone who had seen it, it seemed that the judges were more interested in besting the next one with a weird range of verbal insults, that there was no real constructive criticism imparted upon the contestants. This is how I tend to view most, not all, of the hatred channeled towards these movies. The haters' seem to be so busy trying to deny and refute the hype made my media and fans alike, that none of their reasons for disliking the movie seem genuine at all. Don't get me wrong; not liking something is a person's prerogative, but with that dislike comes valid reason. All I have read deals with how hateful Peter Jackson is, how long the movies were, how much they hated some character or the next, or simply how they just couldn't get' the movie at all. To those who prescribe to the latter reason, all I say is - read. Read the book, and then revise your thinking. More often than not, those who don't like the movie, lack literary understanding, or just haven't bothered to try and understand why others seen to have got' it.
Whilst I acknowledge the faults that came with each of Jackson's installments, I can only help but rejoice in them. I see them in context, and with reference to the original text. People keep on harping on how long the movies were, but didn't they mentally prepare themselves for a 3 hour episode? Also, whilst hating the first, you find that the very same people have gone back to see the second and third installments. Willful torture? I just don't get it.
I loved them; I make no secret of that. Faults and all, I think that all three, the RoTK being my favorite, is the best trilogy ever made. I have read about comparisons to The Godfather and Star Wars. Haven't people learnt about the different genres of filmmaking? There is no way that the three can even be compared!
After this lengthy treatise, I say to those that read this and have not yet seen RoTK, or indeed the FoTR & TTT. Open your mind, relax your mind, prepare yourself, and go and see them. I remember being incredibly touched and overwhelmed as I watched the one scene in particular where the beacons were being lit as Gondor called for aid. I felt emotion envelop me as I fought the urge to clap as the tears rolled down my face. There is nothing better, I think, than leaving a cinema and being forced, or not, to think about the movie you have just seen. That means it touched you, and this trilogy definitely will.
A special mention, though it seems like I will mention ALL, goes to the actors. Viggo Mortessen, who will be a dashing, brave hero for centuries to come. He embodied the soul of Aragorn and like Colin Firth (Pride and Prejudice); there will never be another to portray the role of Aragorn, son of Arathorn, heir to the throne of Gondor. The Hobbits: Frodo, Sam, Merry, and my favorite, Pippin. A beautiful portrayal of the heartache and humor they brought to the original text. Liv Tyler. An actress I never really praised, but will now. In context of this role, she was beautiful, bringing a calm serenity to the character of Arwen. Many disliked her, I didn't. Once again I viewed her in context of her part, and cannot imagine another. Whatever faults there may be with her portrayal, they are owed to direction, and not acting. Sir Ian McKellen & Cate Blanchett who owned their respective roles with conviction and heart. Orlando Bloom and John Rhys-Davies and Andy Serkis
To the rest of the actors, director, full cast and crew, well done! I truly hope all your hard work and vision will bear fruit at this year's awards ceremonies. But if they do not, the fans solute you for a job that was exceedingly well done! The Fellowship has ended, but it will live on in many hearts, forever.