A Breathtaking Epic for the Ages

Rating: 10/10 (17 December 2003)

With this one film, Peter Jackson solidifies himself as being one of the best filmmakers working today. His visionary work is put on masterful display here with the final chapter of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
What makes this installment so invigorating is how in depth Peter Jackson has made the audience aware of the characters. For as exciting as the previous two films were, they appear to only have been in service of this film, to lay the groundwork so the audience can understand the levity of each of their decisions, the torment their characters go through.
And the technicality of this film sets the standards for all other films. The effects work is so well crafted here, seemlessly blending models with computer generation with image control capture. The production design, costume design, and cinematography blend seemlessly together to create an epic mythical feel.
Perhaps the greatest effect of this movie is one that has eluded mainstream Hollywood for so long, making the effects in service of the story and characters. For as flawless as the effects are in this film, they only reflect what the actors convey to the audience. We believe that Gandalf is reacting to the hoard of Sauron's army, when we know there is nothing there. We feel a depth of grandure that is Minis Tirith, but only through Jackson's wonderfully tricky angles and the character's inhabiting the Middle Earth created around them.
And above all, themes of courage, friendship, loyalty, the corruption of power to name a just a few of the important themes that arise in this film. Peter Jackson has truly created one of the finest series of films ever made and they will go down in history along side other noteworthy epics like Lawrence of Arabia, Gone With the Wind, and Ben-Hur. The only down side of this film is walking away with the knowledge that we can't look forward to another one next year.