This is the best film ever made.

Rating: 10/10 (11 February 2004)

I know, I know. There are a lot of films out there. And to say that this is the best film every made is truly a high honor, and should not just be given to anyone.
But I truly feel that The Return of the King IS the best film ever made, and that the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy is the best film trilogy ever made. I should actually say simply that The Lord of the Rings trilogy is the best film ever made, because it was all filmed back-to-back as if it was one film, and the storyline continues right where we left off in the previous film.
This trilogy truly deserves the recognition it gets, because there has never been any film project that's endured so much. The people who made these movies put more time, effort, passion, and love into these films than any other movie to date. Just watch the documentaries on the Extended Edition DVD box sets and you'll see what I mean. No film project has EVER matched how much this film crew went through.
And never have we seen a film crew work so hard and achieve perfect films. They ARE perfect in every way. The story is excellent. The acting is excellent. The visuals are astounding. And I don't think I've ever seen a fantasy film that felt more real that these films. They really pulled off what Tolkien had intended with his books - that we're supposed to believe it was a real historic tale long forgotten.
With The Return of the King specifically, there were parts that were just so emotionally driven that I almost cried. That never happens for me. The acting was just phenomenal. Every visual effects shot was an absolute masterpiece. It was very intense, and it is a great conclusion to the trilogy.
As far as some people's complaints about the ending, they just don't know what the ending is truly all about. This is an ending to all who were tempted by the ring or were in possession of it. And it's an ending to an entire trilogy. We really needed time to wind down and find out what happens in our beloved characters' lives after the victory of Sauron's destruction. I think that people were just tired of sitting in the theater for 3 hours, and all the fade-outs were faking them out that the movie was ending. I bet those people will love the ending much more when they can watch it on DVD and pace themselves throughout the whole viewing of the film. The ending is truly spectacular and IMHO is perfect.
Overall, this movie is a 12 out of 10. This is my favorite film of all time.