The Pinnacle of Film making

Rating: 10/10 (25 May 2004)

I was never much into the Fantasy genre of films, specifically because of the lack of quality films. It wasn't until seeing The Fellowship of the Ring that I realized how difficult it really is to break into that genre. To be able to rip a world out of a 1000+ page book series and smear it onto film is one thing. But to make that story appeal to not only hardcore fans but to the greater populace was an endeavor.
Peter Jackson, however, has pulled that off fruitfully and continues to in this third part of the series. Every scene has a wealth of dedication assigned to it. From the astoundingly detailed city of Minas Tirith to Theoden's Golden Hall, no shot or location is left free of artistic bliss. The film is quite simply eye candy.
The battles are large and impressive. Shields break apart and swords spark on contact. There are catapults and Trebuchets which snap back, releasing house-sized boulders into crowds of frightened soldiers. Winged Nazgul shriek as they hurl unsuspecting victims into the air. Prior to making these films, Jackson made horror movies. The sheer terror exhibited during these battles are reminiscent of those early ventures.
One disappointment I found was that Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin) is portrayed as a crybaby. In the books he is the fearless one egging his companion on every part of the journey. Although Sam does show signs of heroism quite frequently, he is usually shown as weak afterward. I could look past some of the more obvious differences from the book, but that was one gripe I'll hold onto.
Sound editing is top notch as is the emotional soundtrack that encompasses each scene. From valiant battle themes to soft orchestration, it's a treat to the ears.
Quite simply, this is one of the finest films ever made and a perfect ending to a massive achievement in film making. Director Jackson has created a trilogy of films that will live on in the memories of both film appreciators and casual movie-goers for years to come.