The Best of the Trilogy.

Rating: 9/10 (16 February 2016)

Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003): Dir: Peter Jackson / Cast: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Andy Serkis: Easily the best of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and certainly an improvement over the spectacles that came before it. It is a film about promise as Aragorn leads the battle against progressing evil forces. Frodo and Sam quest to rid the ring into a fire. There are giant spiders, hovering dragons, towering ogres, trolls, and multi-tusked elephants all aimed at the film's exciting finale. Perhaps a few battles long, yet everything comes together with so much more meaning. That is all thanks to director Peter Jackson who seems to be adding not only the finishing touches to the trilogy but also a much needed crown jewel. Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the wizard who oversaw this quest from its core beginning. Solid returns by Elijah Wood as Frodo and Sean Astin as Sam who conflict with the Gollum while questing to finally destroy the ring. Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn finally becomes King but not without a number of massive battles to prove its worthiness. Andy Serkis steals every scene consumed within the visual character of the Gollum, out to deceive our heroes and possess the ring. It drives a message of good over evil with courage, honor and glorious special effects. An impressive finish deserving many pleasant returns. Score: 9 / 10