very good, but the extended version will be even better

Rating: 9/10 (8 January 2004)

First of all I'd like to tell that I believed for many years that the epic story by Tolkien would be very hard, if not impossible, to be transferred into a movie. Well, I think we can all agree that Peter Jackson has successfully done just that. He owes a lot to his script writer.
I was quite stunned by part three. After I had seen part two, I just couldn't believe myself when I heard myself say that part two was better than part one. Well, part three is even better than part two, save the best for last. Still, I did not award this part with 10 points. It is very good, but it is not excellent, that is due to the fact that Jackson has totally changed the ending of the book, the scenes in which Saruman has taken over control in the Shire. This, and the fact that I didn't like Jackson's interpretation of the Arwyn/Aragorn/Eowyn love triangle, made me award this part with 9 out of 10 points. If we look at all other scenes, we have to admit that it is overwhelming, certainly from a camera point of view. The thing I liked best was the city of Minas Tirith and, of course, the battle scenes. And please let's not forget Shelob. She was really convincing. I'd like to conclude with this; I was really upset when I read that the Saruman scene (in which he dies) had been cut out. Well, we'll just have to wait for the extended version, and then enjoy the whole story again, and again and again...