Best Movie of all time.

Rating: 10/10 (19 December 2003)

Hi,
I've seen it. Length was fine, any complaints about length or "wrap up scenes" are silly. They are very much needed to close all story lines, which, Jackson does with great care. I personally couldn't get enough. Perfect in every way. Amazing acting. Peter Jackson, awsome effort pre and post production. CG - awsome. Gollum..awsome. Sean Aston..awsome. The battle scenes had me transfixed in my chair I stayed for a second viewing! If you haven't seen it, or don't intend to, I would suggest an open mind and go see it. Even if you haven't seen the first two movies, see this one. There is no way you would be disappointed, and at 3.5 hours, regardless of whether you liked it (which you will) or not (unlikely), its great value for the dollars spent. What a show!
I disliked Ebert/Roperte's review, where Ebert didn't believe "that old guy on the horse could do all that stuff, kinda takes believability from the movie..but we'll give P.J. that I guess." He was wrong on several points, but as Ebert is not up on the culture behind LOTR, its not really his fault, though, he did see the first two installments, he should know by now that Gandalf is "other-worldly" and not "an old guy on a horse" as he said in his review. Gandalf is actually 3000+ years old, immortal and very, very powerful. Jackson did an excellant job in the portrayal of Gandalf, downplaying the Wizardry part of his character and focussing instead on the human side as he relates to this monumental quest of seeing the One Ring destroyed. I would suggest Ebert read the book?
Peter Jackson is an incredible person. His committment to his craft really comes through in these movies. I doubt very much if anyone will ever come close to his accomplishment of directing three movies at once, and to have such continuity bear such excellant fruit through three movies; Hollywood being notorious for botching sequals. He certainly deserves Best Director 2003, this is just a step above any other effort this year.
There was such a buzz in the audience, everyone was eager to get the movie started, the annoying pre-show seemed to drag on and on. Finally, the lights went down, and there was this tension in the audience still. Then..slowly...the Newline logo appeared and this wild CHEER in the audience!! I laughed. We were in for a ride no doubt. I sipped my drink, took some popcorn and watched intensely for the final chapter to close, after a year long wait, what was I going to see? Truly, the best movie I have ever, ever seen. At another high point in the movie, I noticed the crowd again (I was a bit back in the theatre) actually shift en masse as the camera angle moved...man...it was so intense. WOW !! I'm so excited still just thinking about it. :)
And I think this is a great movie for Humanity as well. We are a global village. Millions will see this movie. I hope it brings us all together, as Tolkien had no love for war, this movie will make strides in shifting perceptions, and maybe making some lesser countries more aware that emotions like EMPATHY, PASSION and HONOUR are more conducive to growth, understanding and unity than the status quo as is. Tolkien would definately approve of Peter Jackson's amazing effort. I've no doubt that everyone involved is a very much changed person for the better, as I was changed years ago reading LOTR for the first time as a despondant, upset child and seeing it come to the big screen in the best possible way. Fate it seems, doesn't pull punches.
Return Of The King, Best Movie Of All Time.