Quite amazing

Rating: 9/10 (17 December 2003)

This was a really good movie. Epic battles, excellent acting and breathtaking special effects made it very worthwhile. Both Minas Morgul and Minas Tirith were really great to look at, as was the march of Saurons Army out of the gate. But a few shortcomings should also be mentioned, most of them are differences to the book. First, I really missed those cool Southrons from TTT (infantry and cavalry as in the book, that is) on the Pellenor Fields - the mûmakil were, while massively animated, a bit disappointing all on their own. I really looked forward to Rohirrim battling those really smashing Southron Infantrymen. Then the Frodo-Sam breakup. This was not really necessary, Gollum was nasty enough as it were. Then the Army of the Dead. In the book, they only defeat the corsairs at Pelargir and don't come to the Pellenor Fields. I think their appearance at Minas Tirith was a bit too showy, this could have been managed differently. In the book, the victory was achieved by Gondorian and Rohirrim forces alone, without the assistance of the Dead. Last but not least: the crossing of the Plain of Gorgoroth somehow felt very short. They could easily have incorporated the Orc incident that brings Frodo and Sam to Udûn to ease the pace - it all went a little quick at the end. They hardly left Cirith Ungol behind and hoopla! they are at the Sammath Naur. I hope the EE will take care of that.
As a summary, I still think FOTR was the best movie, it's closest to the book (especially the EE). TTT was somehow diminished, only the EE shows it's true qualities. And I had the same feeling in some places for ROTK - lets see what the EE can rectify.