Technically, the movie is a visual marvel, but there are some holes....

Rating: 8/10 (25 December 2003)

I recently saw the "Return of the King" Christmas Eve (best time to go - no crowds, no waiting), and was visually enthralled, but still came up wanting.
There are so many excellent sequences in the movie, such as the battle with Shelob, the lighting of the signal fires when Gondor (aka Gandalf) signals Rohan for assistance, the collapse of Sauron and Mordor, the many scenes with Gollum, and, of course, the battle at Minas Tirith.
However, I did have a few problems with the storyline (or lack thereof) and those listed below are my biggest: >>>> SPOILERS <<<<
1. There was absolutely no sign of Saruman or Grima Wormtongue. None. Just a slight, and I do mean slight, mention in the first half hour of the film. Then nothing. Considering Saruman was such an important character in the first 2 films, and Grima Wormtongue in the 2nd, why almost completely ignore them?
2. Treebill and the Ents were also almost completely forgotten. Left to watch Saruman in the first half hour, the film never mentions them again. As in my comment above, why almost completely ignore them since, according the TT, they were such important allies to the cause?
3. We don't see that much of Legolas and Gimli, and never determine what happens to them at the end. From what I remember from the book, they form a deeply close friendship and decide to journey away together. Not much of this (except one brief exchange of words) is brought out.
4. My biggest complaint has to be how the relationship between the characters Faramir and Eowyn is so badly handled. In essence, there is none. After Denethor's demise, we see nothing of Faramir until the end at the coronation. No mention of his injuries, his reaction to his father's death, or his bloosoming romance with Eowyn. As for her, we watch as Aragon "brushes her off", she then sneaks into battle to slay the Witch King, then next is seen smiling up at Faramir at the coronation. My only reaction was "What?????" As I recall, a large portion of the ROTK was the budding romance between these 2 characters in the House of Healing, which, I might add, is not mentioned either. Considering how important and developed these 2 characters were in the TT, I was highly disappointed.
>>>>Spoilers end <<<<
I realize of course that the film is over 3 hours long, but also felt that some scenes, including the battle at Minas Tirith, were just a little too long. In fact, some had the feeling that they would never end. I realize that special effects and great battle sequences now carry a movie, but character development and storyline continuity should also matter.
I did enjoy the movie; however, like the TT, I am hoping that these and other "oversights" are corrected in the DVD Extended Edition. We shall see. My rating: 8/10.