Saving the best for last: Long Live 'The King'!!!!

Rating: Null/10 (22 December 2003)

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (2003) **** Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Liv Tyler, John Rhys-Davies, Orlando Bloom, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monagahan, Miranda Otto, Bernard Hill, Hugo Weaving, David Wenham, Karl Urban, John Noble, Andy Serkis, Cate Blanchett,.
Filmmaker Peter Jackson delivers the cornucopia of a cinematic feast in this final chapter of the profitable trilogy of the quest and journey of the fortuitous ring with hobbits Frodo and Sam following Gollum's dubious lead to Mount Doom; Gandalf, Aragorn, Pip, Merry, Gimli, and Legolas holed up at the castle of Minas Tirith attempting to gain a foothold on the onslaught of rampaging Orcs; and Eowyn (Otto) vainly looking to get into battle. Grand epic filmmaking at its zenith with some truly awe-inspiring visuals, sets, costumes, production design, Howard Shore's triumphant score and most importantly Â– acting! Never has their been a more emotional fantasy film since the first STAR WARS trilogy with impressive feats of emoting largely thanks to Astin's loyal Sam (an Oscar nomination is in order for Best Supporting Actor) who truly loves his best friend Frodo; Tyler's heartbreaking Arwen in making a life or death decision; Otto's brave and championing turns in battle; Serkis' inspiring decisions as the cursed creature Gollum/Smeagol (in the latter's persona opening sequence shedding light in how corrupt the Ring truly is) and finally the valor of Mortensen as the titular warrior finding solace in the one universal truism: good conquers evil; love triumphs all! Fantastic battle sequences and heart-stopping moments of terror thanks to Frodo and Sam's encounter with the hideous giant spider Shelob are just a few worth mentioning moments of epic filmmaking at its best. J.R.R. Tolkein would be proud in this the best of the trilogy!